Page 160 of The Fractured

In the lead was Vince, carrying a 9mm and wearing blood-splattered brass knuckles on one hand. Behind him, Antonio was straightening the lapels of his jacket as he strode in with a gold-tipped cane. His gold watch and rings glinted in that overhead spotlight, and there wasn’t a hint of care on his nonchalant expression. The only thing missing was a cigar in his mouth and a martini in his hand.

He looked way too calm for someone interrupting a kidnapping and possible murder.

I did a quick count of how many he brought.

Fourteen, including himself and Vince — he could be considered two men with the way he was built.

Each of Antonio’s men likely had two guns on them, which was one gun more than what the triplet’s hired twelve men had. It was a pure guess that the triplets had hired these men, but the way they shifted with uncertainty at the arrival of Antonio made me wonder how loyal they were to their bosses. Meanwhile,Antonio’s guys were locked in and unflinching, forming a semi-circle around him as he stared down his kids.

“It seems we got here in time to negotiate,” Antonio said, adding a curt smile.

I wanted to feel reassured, but the gun poking into my temple wasn’t exactly helping.

Gabriele pulled a hand hastily through his hair. The man was anxious. “There will be no negotiations.”

“I think you’ll find negotiating with me easier than what the police have in store for you.”

The confused frown on the triplets' faces matched my own.

“What?” Beatrice said sharply.

Antonio shifted his weight to his cane. “They received a call earlier tonight, alerting them that the daughter of one of their own might’ve been abducted by someone they were investigating. Now, while they are investigating me, they know I wouldn’t kidnap someone. It’s not really my style,” he continued. “We’ve arrived before them, but I’m willing to bet they aren’t too far away.”

Gabriele scoffed. “You’re lying.”

“You think you’re the only ones with the law on your payroll?”

The look he gave me was brief but sent a chill down my spine. Or that was the blood loss… Either way, he knew I worked with the police. He had to.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we walked out of this unscathed, only for him to personally shoot me in the head once we were outside.

“We have five or so minutes until they arrive. The only people they plan to let walk out of here alive are Lily and Dean. Everyone else is optional, depending on your reaction. Based on the way you all pulled guns the second we walked in, they won’t hesitate to kill you.” He spoke like he was reading the terms and conditions of a product. There were no fucks given. “So, unlessyou want to die, hand them over to me now so we can all clear out before more blood is spilled. Threaten either of them during the handover, and Vince here won’t hesitate to shoot.”

Vince cocked his head back in acknowledgment of the triplets.

“How do we know this isn’t a trap?” Lucia said from behind her hand, nursing her broken nose.

Antonio deadpanned. “If I wanted you dead tonight, you would already be dead. Hand them over and we’ll figure something out later.”

Gabriele chuckled. “You’ll have to forgive me when I say I don’t believe you, Father.”

“If it’s money you want, you’ll get it.”

The triplets paused and communicated through looks alone before Beatrice nodded to the men with their guns at our heads. “Untie them.”

Lucia balked. “What? No.”

“Untie them,” Beatrice reaffirmed with a glare at her sister.

Gabriele wasn’t happy with the plan either, but money seemed to outweigh his hunger for murder, so he agreed and stood by as Lily and I were cut free.

I took Lily’s hand as soon as I could and tore the tape from my mouth, aiming for Antonio.

He was on the other side of the room. We had to pass the enemies first, and even as they lowered their guns, there was still tension. Especially in Lucia as she fidgeted on the spot, eyeing me until her eyes dropped to Lily as we walked by.

I swear I saw movement outside the windows that sat high on the basement walls along the mezzanine.

“Lui è mio,” Lucia scowled.