Page 72 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

“Lou, get her out of here.”

Nostrils flaring, Ace shakes her head before spitting, “I can walk on my own.”

Then she turns on her heel, marching down the hall. Lou trails behind to fulfill my request, whether she wants him to or not, leaving me alone with Diece and Stefan.

“She’s pissed,” D states the obvious while staring at his cell in the palm of his hand. The bright white glow from the screen bounces off his face, showcasing his bored expression, though I know he’s just as invested in the conversation as I am.

“She’ll have to get over it. Ace might not know how the mafia runs, but she’s about to get a crash course in it––whether she wants to or not.” My tone screams indifference, though my conscience is rearing its ugly head.

I shouldn’t have barked at her like that.

“Be careful, King,” D cautions. “Her life might’ve hardened her, but she’s still soft.”

Stefan interjects, “I’m still reeling that she offered to help in the first place, instead of running in the opposite direction.”

“Especially with her history, and the fact that she just got the shit kicked out of her,” D adds with a hint of pride.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I shove aside my guilt and focus on the task at hand. “Doesn’t matter. We’re going to do what’s best for the family, not what Ace thinks will help.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Stefan inquires. The expression painted across his face is a mixture of determination, respect, and trust. I know that he’d go to Hell and back for our family. And he might need to. We all might need to.

“We need to get Regina back and make the Allegrettis pay.”

“Seems to me, all they did was piss off the wrong family.” D slides his phone into his front pocket, giving me his full attention.

“Yeah. And we’re going to educate them about what happens when you cross the Romanos.”

Even if I have to sacrifice Ace to do it.

The End