Page 28 of Dark Alliance
For now, it’s quiet, my only companions the scent of gunpowder and blood. More Ricci enforcers will appear any minute now that Baldie’s on the loose.
If the cops don’t show up first, that is.
Even though I won, I’m still beyond pissed. There was no reason for this. I gave Eduardo my word.
I’m here representing both Declan and Finn. While I came in expecting this, double-crossing me will only screw them over.
Eduardo and Nino will regret this.
An office sits across from that shithole of a restroom, and I sift through the center drawer until I find a Sharpie.
I drag Padovesi to the center of the room, leaving a trail of brain matter as breadcrumbs. I unzip his hoodie and rip his shirt down the middle, exposing his soft, pasty chest.
This one’s for you, Cat.
After I scribble my message, I toss the marker and leave through the rear, retracing my steps down the alley.
At the corner, I re-cross the street, scale the drugstore from the rear, and eliminate the sniper.
Once I prop him back up, I set up shop to enjoy the fireworks.
This is what happens to people who think they can insult me.
Betray me.
Lie to my fucking face.
Chapter 8
Caterina
At the site of the failed ambush, I hopscotch through blood and bodies, shaking my head while Nino rants in a corner, convinced a mole outed the plan to blindside the Gallaghers.
I’m pretty sureI’mthe mole in this situation. I didn’t say a thing, but my abysmal poker face earlier probably revealed Connor’s hand. I want to shout that this is what Nino gets for reaching a gentleman’s agreement and then reneging.
And for leaving me out of the loop entirely.
They met Connor Gallagher. My father must have sensed what the man was capable of, but he still let Nino convince him to do things Nino’s Way.
I love my little brother. Even as a kid, he sometimes failed to listen to me, but I don’t recall him acting this stubborn and headstrong all the time.
Nino frequently makes selfish decisions for which the rest of us suffer. Five men in this room—loyal men who’ve worked for my father for years, in some cases—lost their lives because of his foolishness.
Meanwhile, Tony Di Norelli, my brother’s best friend, tries to calm Nino down. Tony’s been a family friend since our childhood, and he’s the only man I’d really call an ex. We had afling that lasted the summer between high school and college, and he’s never let it go.
Though I’ve never given him this impression, he thinks he’s still got a chance. In reality, I tolerate him because he’s friends with Nino.
His eyes spend way too much studying me every time we encounter each other, which, thankfully, isn’t too often lately.
Tony used to be all right—we were friendly after we split—but he’s been taking lessons in etiquette from Nino, and I’m losing all respect.
Our eyes meet from across the carnage, and Tony comes closer, his blond hair slicked back off his face. “See, Cat? This is what happens when you crack open the door for those fucking Micks. They take a mile.”
I don’t need the mansplaining when he’s not even remotely correct. “This wasourtrap, Tony. I know you know that. It’s not the Kings’ fault our men didn’t perform.”
“Trap or not, look at this bloodbath. This is war.” He steps over to the man sprawled out dead center in the laundry room. The one with the bare chest.
I follow.
