Page 38 of Single Mom’s Mafia Daddies (The Forbidden Reverse Harem Collection #22)

RENZO

“ H it it.” Matteo thumped his fist on the dash. “Let’s go, let’s go.”

“I’m going. Stop being impatient.” I wheeled the SUV through the narrow side gate and onto the thin trail winding across a hill.

We bumped onto the road that ringed the estate, the SUV’s wheels gripping the asphalt.

I’d had it paved a year ago to keep the dust trail of the old gravel path from giving me away during missions like this.

“Bruce, check in,” I barked into my radio.

A hiss of static sounded, then Bruce’s calm voice. “We’re in position. Second drone located and brought down. Still no sign of trouble. It’s coming, though. I feel it.”

“Keep your eyes peeled.” I didn’t use the typical military jargon.

It was too easily recognized. What I’d just told Bruce would sound like I wanted him to stay in position and post a watch.

It didn’t. The phrase meant for him to keep going until he reached the end of the property then set up the perimeter ambush.

“Betty’s in place,” a second voice came through my earpiece. “She’s one hot babe.”

Matteo’s brows arched and a low laugh broke through his grim frown. “After all this time, you finally show me you have a sense of humor.”

“You don’t mess with Betty.” I managed a tight smile. “And don’t get me started on Veronica.”

I tapped my nose and turned the SUV into the tight corner when the trail split.

“Careful,” Matteo reminded me without much heat to his words. “Keep that up and I might have to start including you in my sarcasm club.”

“Don’t you dare,” I shot back and put the SUV in park. “Let’s go. I’m heading to meet with Bruce. You have the rest covered?”

“All for one and one for all.” He patted the duffel in the back seat before sliding out. “Two dozen explosives should take care of it.”

“Has your drone gotten a visual?”

Matteo shook his head. “Not a one, which means they probably know it’s up and are avoiding it. No sign it’s offline, but I’m not counting on anything. If they leveraged enough collateral, the Russo syndicate might have released their cloaking tech to them for the assault.”

“Fuck. Any way to know for sure?” I hefted the cases of rifles over my shoulder.

Another head shake. “They won’t talk to me about a rival. I offered an exorbitant amount of money and no one budged.” He gave me a long look. “That means they’re helping, if you didn’t already pick up on that.”

“They think we’re toast.” I grunted under the weight of the guns. “Can’t wait to prove them wrong.”

“Amen and amen.” Matteo held out his fist, and I bumped mine against it. “Meeting on the ridge in half an hour.”

“See you there.” We’d promised Lila we’d look out for each other, which was easy enough since our plan hinged on the other doing their job.

I hadn’t intended on being in the dirt beside Matteo, but I trusted his instincts, and I for damned sure couldn’t wait to see his explosives blow the Verduccis sky high.

I skirted the edge of the road and trekked between the trunks of several trees until a tiny clearing appeared.

Bruce held up a hand, and the group fell silent. “You asked for my opinion on the best guys.” He pointed at the group. “Here they are. Personally tested each one of them when they were hired.”

I lowered the cases to the bed of Bruce’s truck and unzipped one. “Everyone familiar with this?”

The sniper rifle’s muted black body and muzzle absorbed light instead of reflecting it. A long scope gave the sniper range and wind conditions. I kept twelve of them on hand at all times, all under heavy lock and key so they were never misused or taken when not needed.

Steady gazes met mine, and a chorus of “Yes, sir” rang out.

I handed each man a rifle and pointed out their positions on the map Bruce had spread out on the tailgate.

“I want you to concentrate your fire on anyone outside the vehicles. Betty and Matteo’s explosives will eliminate as many of them as possible.

If you see Vincenzo or Luca, do not hesitate. These men do not reach the estate.”

“Yes, sir.” Salutes snapped, and each man shouldered the cases and headed off to their respective areas.

“See you on the other side.” I nodded my thanks to Bruce, grabbed my case from the truck, and made my way around to the pile of rocks where Matteo and I had agreed to meet.

My boots helped me gain enough traction to climb to the peak, and I settled in to wait.

Sunshine glossed the trees in verdant green and made the world look right to all outward appearances.

Tree limbs danced in the breeze, birds sang a sweet tune, and every hair on my body stood at attention.

A scratch of rock-on-rock announced Matteo’s arrival, along with his whispered, “It’s me. Don’t shoot.”

“I’m not the trigger-happy bastard you are.” I scooted sideways to give him more room on the rock shelf.

“Well, you’d better turn into one, because we’re going to need every bullet.” Matteo stretched out on his stomach and raised a pair of binoculars. “They’re inbound.”

One of the snipers on the ridge echoed Matteo’s words. “Anyone outside?” I asked.

“Negative. All safe in their nests,” was the reply.

“Knock ‘em loose, Matteo.” I set the rifle stock into my shoulder and peered down the sight. Deep breath in. Hold. The convoy came into sight. “I see twelve armored Humvees.”

“Better tell Betty to start talking.” Matteo scrolled down the tablet he carried everywhere. “After that, it’s spray and pray.”

I kept both eyes open, an old habit from training, but concentrated on the vehicles threatening death and destruction to everything I loved.

“No men outside means they’re not concerned with IEDs.

” I tracked a line down the convoy. “Which means the Verducci brothers are at the back or middle. They won’t risk themselves getting blown up. They’ll let the others take the heat.”

“Let’s find out.” Matteo cranked up a dial and tapped a button. “Line one.”

A series of booms shook the ground. Dirt and dust exploded into the air.

The first two Humvees flipped and spun sideways.

Shouts carried on the wind in the sudden silence that followed.

Men spilled out from the overturned Humvees.

My men picked them off one by one. I couldn’t help the surge of pride that wormed through me.

I’d have to compliment Bruce on his choice of soldiers.

Rapid gunfire pierced the air, followed by another explosion, this one more concentrated. “They’re bringing out rocket launchers. Tell your men to watch out.”

“Jessica on the move,” I said, quick and sharp, the warning clear. “Take her out. Betty on standby.”

“Second wave incoming.” Matteo set off another series of explosions. “One more and I’m out.”

“Bruce, countdown to Betty.”

“She’s warmed up and ready to sing.” Bruce’s mad cackle caused a chain reaction.

“Can’t believe you gave him Betty,” Alessio said through my earpiece. “He’s never going to stop talking about this.”

“He’s earned her.” I spotted a man making a run for the fallen rocket launcher and lined up the shot. A squeeze on the trigger and he flew backward, arms windmilling and face twisted in shocked outrage. “Anyone have eyes on the Verduccis?”

“Negative, sir.”

Damn it. Where were they?

“These assholes are prepped to the gills but reckless as fuck.” One of the soldiers laughed. “It’s almost like shooting fish. Not sure I like this, Renzo.”

I scanned the road, not liking it either. “Eyes open, boys. Trouble’s out there, we just haven’t spotted it yet. Keep Jessica on watch.”

Soldiers poured from a Humvee and bolted in every direction, rifles firing in what looked like desperation. I’d seen the tactic before and homed in on the man who ran straight at the rocks where Matteo and I hid.

A cascade of rifle fire met the erratic choice.

“Betty’s inbound.” The grind of gears rattled through Bruce’s headset and into my ears. The tank wasn’t the easiest to maneuver in this area, but I’d brought her out of storage for a little exercise and intimidation.

“Six down. Six on the move,” Matteo reported. “I’m down to poppers.”

“Do it.” I lined up another shot when one of my guys missed and the enemy made a running leap toward the tree hiding my guy from view. Another dead man to add to my conscience. One less threat to Lila. I made peace with that.

“Enough C4 will take out a Humvee, but even a little will make a hell of a lot of noise.” Matteo shrugged and scooted to the side.

Betty became apparent even without the earpiece. She rolled into view from behind the convoy and lit up the sky with a series of rattling booms.

“Hell yeah.” Matteo fist pumped the air when the last of the Humvees tumbled uselessly onto their sides.

Soldiers poured out in droves and took up defensive stances, using the Humvees as protection while they fired into the trees.

“Don’t celebrate yet.” I fired shot after shot, each one finding its mark. “These assholes don’t learn.”

“Shit.” Matteo’s hands tightened on the binoculars. “Shit. Shit. Shit. Incoming from the west.”

“What? How?” That stretch of land was impassable…unless they’d brought their own tank. “Please tell me you have one more IED hidden out there somewhere.”

“Sorry.” Matteo rolled sideways into a crouch. “But I might have an idea.”

“You’re not going down there.” I grabbed his collar and held him in place.

He slapped my hand. “If they make it here, they’ll overwhelm us.”

Alessio’s voice tore through my earpiece. “Luca isn’t with the convoy. He’s headed for the estate.”