Page 154 of Power
“He works for me.”
“Gabriel?”
“He runs the wineries and Santini International in Italy.”
“Have you heard from —”
“Don’t say his name,” Luciano pushed back.
“He’s your brother,” Carlo said. “Lui è famiglia.”
He’s not family to me.
“Papà, grazie. Sempre un piacere.” Always a pleasure.
“I know our families were rivals, but I always liked you, Lulu.”
After kissing Carlo’s craggily cheeks, he left. Luciano had one objective when he went to speak with Carlo. Goal achieved.
On the drive back to DC, he called his assistant, requested another crucifix and a case of Chianti for Carlo. “Include something for Benita.”
“What did you have in mind?” Dominic asked.
“Send her a dress and a cashmere coat from our Ladies collection. What’s the latest work emergency?”
“If I say none, I’m scared I’ll jinx things,” Dominic replied.
“It’s the calm before the storm.” Luciano hung up, slid his focus out the window as they drove south on I-95.
He couldn’t deny that The Bomb Maker was holding all the power. The terrorists were making their way into the country without resistance. Guy Chenkus was dead, at the hand of some mule. Was it the same man who did the money-for-passports trade or someone else?
Luciano had no idea how many people were involved in this deadly operation. What he did know was that he and Simone would get the upper hand… and the shift of power would begin.
That’s when he would strike.
Fast and deadly.
SIMONE
Simone hadn’t slept well,despite how much she loved being in Luciano’s arms. She’d suspected him of being involved in his family’s crime syndicate, but she never imagined he’d been married with young children. Her heart squeezed.
He lost his babies.
She’d been devastated over the loss of her team. Yes, the Ops were like family, but it wasn’t like losing youractualfamily.
Thirty-minutes later, Simone was sitting at her kitchen island, sipping hot coffee while reading a secure email from Z. He’d fired three from ALPHA while heading up the organization, one of them Peter Hirzog.
Providence called. “How’s it going?”
She thought of Guy Chenkus. “Working it like a boss lady.”
“That’s what we want to hear,” Providence replied. “I sent over a list. Cooper and I fired four ALPHA employees. One—Karen Woodside—is currently serving time. While she hates ALPHA, my gut says she’s not behind these bombings.”
Simone clicked on the email. “Got it.”
“I’m sorry you have to work from home. If you need any help, let me know.”
“I need to use my Joelle James alias,” Simone said. “A man named Guy Chenkus was gunned down in Georgetown last night, and I need to talk with a homicide detective at Metropolitan Police Department.”
