Page 80 of War Within
Of course.
I ended the call then spun to Leo. “What’s Tyler’s status?
“He’s handcuffed to the chair in the kitchen, drugged enough to keep him alive and quiet.” He jerked his head to toward the other room. “I'll make sure he's put in holding upon arrival.”
“Good.”
Giovanni’s Home: Scarsdale, New York
It was so good to be home, although on the way, my mind, body, and heart had time to fully process the events. I no longer felt like myself. I was never one to allow my emotions to control me, however, my son’s body had traveled with us back to the states. I had a funeral to plan.
The stress he caused me both alive, and now dead was forcing me to crack. I did not want to have to tell my family or his mother. Though she and I did not get along, she always had a special bond with Marco. Telling her was going to cause her to crumble. While she was not my favorite person for what she did to me, I never wanted to see her suffer. She was still the mother of my kids.
Jackson delivered my bags to my bedroom then disappeared to answer the doorbell. Jane had not texted or called yet, so I wondered who it could have been. Huffing, I unpacked my luggage, replaying the past couple of weeks in my mind on repeat. The puzzle pieces to the events had not been quite put together. Tyler would need to be questioned. Then, he would die!
Rage simmered inside me. Clothes began flying everywhere as I balled them up, throwing them as far as they would go.Fuck!Why did my only son have to choose to die? Tears pooled in my eyes. He deserved it, but he was my flesh and blood. It did not change the fact I loved him. Fists clenched, I marched into my bedroom, ready to force my knuckles through the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
Emir was in a private medical ward not far from the house. My family kept it fully staffed and stocked for serious injuries that required no knowledge to the public. Valentina would be home soon. Then, I would have to explain things to her, things I did not ever think I would have to be honest about. Her brother shot her boyfriend. Her brother died by the man who had been keeping her safe in Hawaii. How was I supposed to break her heart with such heavy information? While she was an adult, she was still only eighteen, and my princess. And now she was my only child.
“Sir.”
I spun around, letting out a slight breath.
“Sorry,” Jackson frowned. “The door was open.”
“It's fine, Jackson.” I relaxed my posture. “What do you need?”
“Xavier Flynn is waiting for you downstairs in the library.”
Narrowing my gaze, I pinned my bottom lip between my teeth. “He's a day early.”
“He insisted he needed to speak to you.”
Dropping my head, I closed my eyes for a moment. “Thank you.”
“Sir, I’m sorry to learn of Mr. Marco.”
“Leave.”
With his head bowed, Jackson exited the room hastily and silently.Why was Xavier here now?Giving myself a look in the mirror, I tweaked my attitude, assuring there was no remnants of sadness lurking on my face.
Rapidly, I headed downstairs, through the house into the library. Xavier Flynn stood arms crossed in the middle of the room, staring at the unlit gas fireplace. The moment he saw me, he lifted a hand to his face, tapping his lips.
“Flynn, what brings you to Scarsdale a day early?” I slid my hands in my pockets, coming to a stop several feet from him. “You were due at the warehouse tomorrow.”
“I have an important meeting to get back to in Boston. I wanted to fly in and meet with you personally before our deal.” Cocking his head, he pursed his lips, looking me up and down.
Nodding, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m glad you did. Vito and Vincent will be personally delivering your shipment this weekend.”
“Good, good.” He titled his head the other way, studying me. “So, how have you been, Rovati?” He was suspicious. This was odd. Very odd.
“Busy. Business as usual.” I did not want to offer any more information. “How's FBI life?”
He chuckled. “Someone besides Emilio has got to keep your ass from going down.”
“It's good to have family and friends on the inside.” I smirked.
Xavier’s breath hitched, glancing around me. He ran his fingers through his short, honey-brown neatly styled hair, tousling it. I veered around to see Jackson lurking in the entrance. Gritting my teeth, I lifted my chin, arching my brows.
