Page 28 of Widow’s Walk (Women of the Mafia #1)

Chapter twenty-three

Blackwell

T ension has been mounting at every turn.

Ever since the Bozzellis showed up with their proposition, everything has been unraveling.

For two weeks, my father and I have been locked in a silent war over it.

We’ve all gone round and round, trying to come up with a compatible deal.

We offered them almost everything they wanted.

We’d eliminate the Ortizs and give them a seat at the table.

But they want insurance. And they want it in blood.

A marriage to tie our families is non-negotiable for them.

By refusing it, we’d be rejecting the entire offer and our alliance.

Our first offense, and in our world, we never let anything go.

We may have been their first choice, but we’re not their only.

They’ll take their offer and bring it to another family.

Cutting us out entirely, leaving me blind to their plans.

And their plans include killing every single Ortiz. Including Sinclair.

I’ve been trying to stay levelheaded, especially with my father’s health declining.

His heart is failing and needs surgery soon.

We’ve kept it quiet, but it weighs on every decision.

I’m taking on more than my fair share to keep the pressure off him, but it’s all too much. And time is working against us.

Through it all, Sinclair has been my quiet place, waiting for me in the eye of the storm where everything stands still. My only fucking peace. Her presence. Her oblivion. Knowing that she’s safe and completely unaware of the danger lurking behind her. It’s enough to keep me grounded.

The only thing that is for sure—Sinclair is mine.

If I have to agree to the marriage with the Bozzellis to buy us a window, then so be it. I’ll tear that window into a door and walk Sinclair right through it. The ring is just a tool, but Sinclair is the only future for me.

She’s had the green light to begin furnishing our estate, but she’s been dragging her feet on it. Most likely, dreading the permanence of it. But I’m done waiting. It’s time we finally have our space. No more his and hers when it comes to bedrooms and belongings.

It’s late when I go to look for her. I haven’t seen her since this morning. I left her in my bed, curled up in the sheets, naked and peaceful. Looking like she belonged there.

I haven’t made it two steps up the stairs when my name is called out with urgency. Scout and Hawk come running up to me, faces flushed and out of breath. My mind instantly goes to Sinclair.

“What’s wrong?” I rush out, bracing for the worst.

“We found two of our guys dead in the hedge maze,” Scout says.

“How?”

“Stabbed to death. It looks like they were killed just outside of it and dragged in. I haven’t made it to the control room yet,” Scout explains.

Hawk nods. “I found them.”

My blood chills, and I start beelining for the control room. “How did no one catch this?” I growl out.

There’s no need for any of them to answer because I’m met with it as soon as we get there. Both men on duty are dead.

“Motherfucker,” I say, seething. “Get everyone on this,” I order without looking at them. “Now!”

I shove one of the bodies aside to start scrolling through footage for clues. My phone goes off and I answer it without seeing who it is. “Yeah,” I clip.

“What the hell is going on?” My father demands on the other side of the call.

“Trying to figure that out right now.”

He sighs. “Can you handle this?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Call me when you do.”

I hang up and focus on reviewing the footage. Starting with the one on the maze. Rolling it in reverse until something catches my eye. Feet first, a body being dragged. Then another figure steps into frame.

I freeze it there. “Start with this,” I direct to Scout, then look to Hawk. “Where’s Sinclair?” I ask even though I know the answer.

“I have everyone on it,” he quickly replies.

I run out of the room and try calling her. I call over and over, all going unanswered. “Fuck!” I yell, taking the steps two at a time.

I try her room first. Barreling in, I already know she isn’t here. I can feel it. Pivoting my head, I stomp over to the side table where my attention is being drawn.

Her phone.

Her ring.

And a note.

Left, but not gone.

Stepping into the dark to set the stage.

A kiss for the crowd, a dagger for the king.

The finale is mine.

I bare my teeth with an animalistic snarl, crushing the note in my hand. Jumping into action, I leave the room, knowing I’m not going to find anything helpful there.

I place my phone to my ear and my father picks up after the first ring. “Yeah.”

“She knows,” I say, running down the stairs.

“Where is she?”

“Haven’t found her yet.” And I don’t think we will. At least not here.

He’s silent for too long. “You should have told her.”

Yeah, no shit.

“I have to ask you, Blackwell. Is it worth it?”

I halt in my steps. “Of course it’s worth it. She’s worth everything ,” I answer so hurriedly as if the words have been waiting on the tip of my tongue to spill out at the right moment.

“So, this is your decision.”

“Yes.” I start moving again.

“You understand the position this puts us in,” he tries to remind me.

“I do.”

He sighs before speaking again. “Well, she didn’t have much of a head start,” he points out. “We’ll find her.”

She wasn’t supposed to find out this way. Not without hearing it from me. That I had no intention of going through with it. There could never be anyone else. Not for me. Not in this life or the next. It was always Sinclair.

But she knows, and now she’s gone. Every minute she’s out there, exposed and vulnerable, her life is on the line. The thought of someone getting their hands on her first punches a hole through my chest.

No matter how far she runs, how well she hides, I will find her.

And God help anyone who stands in my way.