Page 129 of Auctioned to the Mafia Don

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“Move,” Leon says.

Stefano does not.

“I said move.”

“You have been saying things all night,” Stefano replies. “None of them have been useful.”

Leon’s eyes dart past him toward the alley. No exit. No car. No men waiting.

Just Stefano.

Then Raven and two agents burst into the corridor behind me.

“Drop the weapon!” Raven shouts.

Leon turns halfway toward them.

His hand goes inside his jacket.

“Don’t,” I say.

He looks at me.

For one terrible moment, I think he is going to listen.

Then he pulls the gun.

Raven fires.

So does Stefano.

Leon jerks backward, one hand holding his chest. He stumbles into the alley wall, rain mixing with blood as he slides down the brick.

He is alive.

Barely.

Raven moves first, shouting orders. Agents flood around him, kicking the weapon away, reaching for cuffs, calling for medical.

This is it.

This is the moment.

Leon is going to live.

He is going to be taken in. He is going to hear every charge. He is going to see his name in court records and headlines. Erin and Heath will know that their father didn't get to vanish behind money and silence.

I take one step toward him.

Stefano steps beside me.

Leon looks up at us, blood at the corner of his mouth.

“You think this changes anything?” he whispers.

I stare down at him.

“It changes everything.”

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