Page 97 of The Devil's Heir

"Who?" Heidi asks, concern evident in her voice.

I turn to look at her, my pulse racing like never before, as I say, "Heath, my old foster brother."

FORTY-SIX

Jarek

We've been here for three days and have yet to catch the fucker who came after me. Rossi never returned to his villa like he was scheduled to, which tells me he had a hand in it. He's the one who put out the hit.

Meanwhile, Joey was discharged from the hospital the day after being admitted. The bullet got him in the side, just barely missing his liver and kidney. Another half of a centimeter and his liver would have gotten it. That was two days ago, and he's already up and moving around against my orders.

"Come on, Jarek. You know damn well that you wouldn't be able to sit still either if you were in my shoes," he says to me as we get into the back of the town car.

"It doesn't matter what the Don does,bambino!" Lonzo growls from the front passenger seat. "You won't be much good to him if we get into a jam, will you?"

Joey shrinks back just a little from getting chastised by his father, but that doesn't mean he will listen. I turn my head to look out the window so my friend doesn't see the curve to my lips. I know he hates it when his father treats him like a child in front of others, and as their boss, I should stop him from doing so. Unfortunately for Joey, I like seeing him suffer; it's payback for all the times he annoys me with his antics.

"So, what do we do now that Rossi isn't back—wait?" Joey asks, ignoring his father's lecture.

"Rossi won't come back until we're gone," I reply. "He has too many connections here—people who tell him who is coming and who is going.The little weasel won't come out of hiding while we're still in the country. No worries, I'll find another way to get to him."

We're on our way to the warehouse I own here. I want to ensure our latest shipment is still secure and make new arrangements for it to be sent elsewhere. Rossi will not be getting another weapon of mine from here on out.

It's a dreary afternoon as we step out of the car and walk a few feet to the building. I glance around to be sure no one else is in the vicinity. After the attempt a few days ago, I'm not taking any chances. Lonzo has already been on my ass about leaving this place because of it.

"You're too important to risk staying, young Falcon."

It's what Lonzo had said when I told him I wasn't leaving yet. I would love nothing more than to return home where I can bury myself inside Liliana, but I must take care of business first. I don't want to have to leave her like this again, at least not for a while, anyway.

There's a light mist that sprays my face as the breeze from the sea blows it in our direction. I don't mind it so much. It helps cool me down while I endure the dreary weather's humidity.

Koval meets me at the door, holding it open for me and the others. I sent him ahead to ensure the area was secure. When he gave the all-clear, we left the hotel and came straight here.

Wiping off the little bit of water the mist left on my suit jacket, I ask Koval, "How's the shipment looking?"

"Everything is as it should be. The containers are still sealed up tight," he responds pulling his pocketknife out, ready to open the seal for me.

I nod, and he slices through my emblem in one smooth stroke. He does this to all five crates and then steps back for me to inspect them. I lift the first lid and look inside. Everything looks as it should, so I move to the next container and then the next. Once I'm satisfied, I give another nod and Koval gets to work on sealing the crates back up.

"Lonzo, will you contact Amato and find out if he's interested in buying Rossi's shipment?"

"You do realize that Amato and Rossi are at war with each other, right?" he asks with a raised brow and a smirk.

Ireturn the gesture and reply, "Why do you think I chose Amato for you to contact? It's fitting for Rossi to have the weapons he ordered turned on him, don't you think?"

Lonzo shakes his head, amused, and reaches for his phone. Just as he does, mine buzzes inside my pocket. Curious, I pull it out to find a message from Lily. A smile tugs at my lips, and a rush of elation courses through me--it feels so good to see her take the initiative.

PAUPER: Goodnight, Jarek.

ME: Sleep well, little pauper. Were you a good girl today?

PAUPER: Always =)

ME: That's debatable.

There's a brief pause and just when I think she's done texting, and I'm about to pocket my phone, it buzzes again.

PAUPER: Will you be coming home soon?