Page 96 of Deathless & Divided

Dino stayed quiet on the couch, not even turning to respond to his brother as he said, “I see it.”

“License plate was removed.”

“Doesn’t matter. We know who that car belongs to, Theo.”

“Serena Rossi,” Theo replied. “Looks like her car, doesn’t it?”

Yes, Lily held back from saying.

She recognized the black Mercedes, too.

“Sure does,” Dino said. “Ben called. He’ll be over later.”

“Is he having a fit?”

“Major one. So is Terrance. Riley is threatening retaliation for this, too.”

“Christ,” Theo muttered. “This is bad.”

“It could get a hell of a lot worse, yet.”

On the screen, the news broadcast replayed what grainy footage of the drive-by shooting that they had. It wasn’t much. The black car could be seen taking a left turn before the window rolled down far enough for something to be stuck out the window. Something round, long, and black.

Lily didn’t need to wonder what the item was for long because rapid assault fire blew from the window. It lit up the blackness of the car but never showed the person inside hidden by the dark tint of the window.

Once again, the video clip ended and a live shot came back on the screen. The front of the bar had taken a massive spray of bullets. The windows had been shot out and glass sparkled over the black asphalt. No one had been inside as the business was being revamped for opening the following week.

“Officials have hinted at this being related to the infamous Chicago Mob,” the female reporter said. “But they have yet to give real confirmation. This bar, in particular, is owned by a high ranking member in the Chicago Mob. The Conti family has had a long running relation to the Outfit and organized crime in Chicago. Riley Corrado Conti was acquitted just months ago on several rounds of racketeering charges. This shooting is only one incident in several that have happened over the last few weeks. All have some relation to the mob or the people involved can be linked back to the Outfit.”

“Officials are digging in,” Theo noted.

Dino nodded, still unaffected by the entire scene. “This is really going to piss someone off.”

“Terrance is already suspicious enough of Laurent and Serena. This isn’t going to help Laurent’s case.”

“See how it rolls from here,” Dino murmured. “I get why it wasn’t a DeLuca or Trentini place, as far as that goes.”

“How’d—” Theo’s words cut off when he noticed Lily standing in the entryway to the living room. “Hey, little one.”

Dino tilted his head in Lily’s direction. “Morning, You’re going to have to stick around the house today, Lily.”

“Why?” she asked.

Lily knew why.

The broadcast said it all.

“Trouble,” Dino said in explanation.

“Lots of it,” Theo added.

“Why would someone shoot up a Conti business?” Lily asked, trying to sound ignorant.

“Maybe to prove a point about something,” Dino answered.

“Like what?”

“Which side they’re on, Lily.”