Chapter 9

Falcone's men arrived on schedule.

They took my phone and tied me to a chair inside the warehouse. Their leader demanded that I restore the Russo loans and destroy every copy of the red room recording.

I kept him talking.

He admitted that Falcone had ordered the illegal arms shipment, the fake pregnancy report, and the use of Caruso funds. The wire in my collar sent every word to Luca and the federal agents outside.

I was ready to trigger the raid when the warehouse door burst open.

Vincent rushed inside.

Marco had told him about the kidnapping. Vincent had ignored every plan and entered alone.

Gunfire filled the warehouse.

Vincent threw himself in front of me and took a bullet.

The gunmen believed I would stay in the chair and wait for help. Their attention moved to Vincent.

I used the folding knife hidden in my sleeve and cut through the rope I had already loosened against the chair frame.

One man turned toward me.

I kicked the metal table into his legs and grabbed his gun as he fell.

My first shot broke the overhead light. Darkness covered the center of the warehouse.

My second shot hit the leader in the shoulder.

I moved behind a stack of shipping crates and pressed the signal button.

Floodlights came on around the building.

Moretti guards and federal agents entered from every side. The Falcone crew surrendered within minutes.

Vincent lay on the floor with blood spreading across his shirt.

He caught my hand when I knelt beside him.

"Please do not leave. I finally understand what I did."

I pressed my hand over the wound to slow the bleeding.

"The doctors will help you."

Hope returned to his eyes.

"I will never love you again."

The hope left him.

Luca reached me. He did not demand an explanation for the risk I had taken. He removed his coat and wrapped it around my shaking shoulders.

"Can you walk out with me?"

"Yes, I can walk."

He took my hand and led me outside.

Vincent did not call me back this time.

He finally understood that my departure was not a threat. I had stopped waiting for him.