9. The Decision
9
THE DECISION
LUCIANO
L uciano had a full day at Santini International, but his thoughts kept ping-ponging from Simone to the deadly ALPHA mission. Another bout of seething fury rumbled through him and he growled.
He’d been up most of the night searching the dark web for chatter about the explosion. There had been one comment, buried in a group of supporters and sympathizers of the Haqazzii terror cell. Written by Inferno531, it read, “The Bomb Maker is back!”
While Luciano couldn’t confirm its validity or its origin, he wasn’t going to dismiss it either.
“So, is that a no?” Ezra asked, plucking him from his thoughts.
Luciano slid his gaze from the small group of models to his head designer. “It’s good.”
“Good isn’t good enough,” Ezra said. “That’s what you tell us. What’s missing? What does it need?”
Luciano eyed the clothes.
“The pants aren’t wide enough. I want bell bottoms, and the scarves are boring.” Luciano walked over to the models, studied the garments up close. “The shirts and sweaters work.”
One of the models smiled at him. He flashed her a smile before turning to Ezra. “Tweak it.”
Ezra tucked his long hair behind his ears. “It needs zhuzhing, doesn’t it?”
Luciano thought of Simone, their sex-crazed evening, and the lust pouring from her eyes. He smiled. “That’s exactly what it needs.”
“You got it,” Ezra replied.
Luciano thanked his team before leaving the design center. He paused in front of the exit door to the stairs. It would be faster, but he wouldn’t be visible. Whenever he could, he made his presence known. He brought his energy into every room, every conversation, and every interaction.
Instead, he strode to the elevator bank. He said hello to everyone, offering a friendly smile or handshake. Being “the boss” was a full-time job and a full-time responsibility. How he acted, how he carried himself, what he said, even the way he looked at his work family mattered. He was scrutinized, criticized, and dissected on a minute-by-minute basis. While he didn’t give a damn, he didn’t want the Santini brand to suffer.
Milan housed his European headquarters and, while it would have made more sense to work in New York City, his US operations were located in the fashion district of DC… and DC loved him for it. He occupied a five-story building in CityCenter, on Palmer Alley in Northwest.
“Luciano!” His Sales and Marketing VP flagged him down. “Did you get a chance to read the results from last quarter?”
“I did. Our numbers look great, but we can do better.”
The Veep rolled his eyes. “Are you never satisfied?”
“I just said our numbers look great.” Luciano’s phone buzzed with a text. “And we can do better. We can always do better.” Then, he winked. “I’ll swing by and congratulate your team.”
His employee smiled. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about.”
They rode the elevator, along with several others. Luciano said hello to all of them, asking what projects each of them were working on. One by one, the elevator thinned, leaving him to exit the top floor alone.
He read the text from Carrera.
Four, off the grid
Meeting that afternoon, four o’clock, ALPHA’s Black Site.
After slipping his phone into his pocket, Luciano took the stairs down one flight to sales and marketing. En route to his VPs office, he said hello to several managers and account reps. Without sales and marketing, he was nothing. These people got the word out, followed up with their clients, introduced his new product lines, told them about upcoming sales, and managed to increase sales in the US, year over year.
“Suzie, good to see you,” Luciano said. “How’s the baby?”
Suzie grinned. “He’s almost nine months old.”
“Where are the pics?”
Beaming with parental pride, she showed him a few adorable baby pictures. Though he smiled, the pain tore through him.
“Children are life’s greatest joy,” he said. “God bless him.”
Her eyes grew moist. “Thank you, Mr. Santini.”
Luciano continued on. Being the boss could be intimidating, so he went out of his way to let his employees know they were appreciated.
The VPs office door was open. “Henry, ciao.”
Henry pushed out of his chair, shook Luciano’s hand. “Thank you for coming down. Did you want to make a speech?”
Luciano did not. He wanted to find the monster who was terrorizing ALPHA, but he painted on a smile. “Of course.”
“It’s gonna make their day.”
The men walked into the bullpen—rows of cubicles filled the large room. Luciano waited while Henry gathered the team.
“Whose desk can I stand on?” Luciano asked.
“Mine,” offered up an employee.
“Grazie.” Luciano removed his shoes, climbed on the desk, shot the group a friendly smile.
“Ciao,” he began. “I want to congratulate you on an outstanding quarter. Your achievements are a direct result of your efforts, working smart, and fostering lasting relationships with our customers. You are the front line. Without your hard work, the beautiful clothing lines we create would gather dust. Grazie e il mio sincero apprezzamento. Thank you and my sincere appreciation.”
Several employees thanked him. He acknowledged them with a nod before stepping down. He slipped into his Santini Italian leather loafers, shook a few hands, kissed a few women on their cheeks—ignored their breathy sighs—shook Henry’s hand again, and headed toward the elevator.
He hadn’t been back in his office two minutes when his assistant appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Santini, you have a visitor. Allaya, one of our models, wants a word.”
He had no idea who Allaya was. “Stay,” he told Dominic.
“Of course.”
His assistant retrieved the young woman, the model who’d smiled at him in the design center.
He gestured to the guest chairs. “Please.”
Over the years, his personal assistant had been through this with him dozens of times. Anytime anyone requested a one-on-one, Dominic was right there.
Power was a strong aphrodisiac. That, along with wealth, was like catnip. He wasn’t interested in bedding anyone at his company. His only focus was on fostering a professional environment where his employees felt appreciated and respected. He wanted their best during working hours, not their bodies.
“Could I have a word alone?” Allaya asked as she flicked her long, dark hair off her shoulder.
She wore a low-cut dress, but Luciano did not look, he didn’t sneak a peek, and he didn’t glance. His attention stayed focused on her face.
“What can we assist with, Allaya?” he asked.
“I… um…” She cleared her throat. “I’m going to Milan for a show next week. I was curious if you ever go there.”
“I visit my Milan headquarters several times a year, but not next week.”
“Perhaps coffee when I return?” Allaya asked.
He gave her props for persistence. “We’ll see if we can schedule something with the team. Are you headed there on your own or with Santini International?”
“The in-house team.” Her gaze darkened. “I was interested in coffee with you, you know, outside of work.”
His assistant shifted in his chair.
“Thank you, but no.” Luciano stood. “Safe travels.”
After walking them out, he shut his door, returned to his desk.
He wanted to find out how Simone was doing. While he didn’t want to reveal his relationship with Carrera and Sin, he didn’t need to disclose anything beyond his sincere condolences.
Rather than text, he started to call her, but his thoughts jumped to his own loss. A text was nothing. A phone call was better. But showing up in person to console someone was a more sincere gesture.
He left his office, pausing at Dominic’s desk. “I’m leaving.”
His assistant jumped on his computer. “I’m sorry, Mr. Santini, I’m not seeing an off-site meeting.”
“A friend of mine had a death in the family.”
“I’m sorry,” Dominic said. “Do you want me to send flowers?”
“No. Let Stuart know I’m on my way down.” Luciano powered down the hall toward the elevator. As it slugged its way down, it stopped on every floor. Luciano offered a smile, asked every employee how they were doing. Making them feel seen and heard was vital to his success. His leadership style demanded respect at every turn.
His sedan pulled up in front of the building. Stuart exited, opened the back door, and Luciano slipped inside. He instructed him to drive to Simone’s home.
When the car pulled up, he exited, rang the doorbell. No answer. He wondered if she was too distraught to answer, so he called her.
After a few rings, she answered, “Hello, Luciano.”
“Simone, I’m very sorry about your loss,” he said. “I stopped by to see how you’re doing.”
“I appreciate that. I’m staying with Slash and Carrera for a few days.”
“I’m glad you’re not alone.”
“Thanks for stopping by,” she said. “It means a lot.”
The call ended and Luciano returned to the vehicle.
Death fucked with his head… and his heart. “I want to visit my family, Stuart.”
“Yes, sir,” Stuart replied.
While they snaked their way through heavy traffic, Luciano made a call. He needed information, and he needed it fast. After a few rings, the familiar, scratchy voice answered.
“It’s been a while, Lulu. How you doin’?”
Carlo Garibaldi was head of the Garibaldi Family. Once fierce rivals, Luciano now considered him an ally.
“How are you, Papà?”
Bene,” Carlo replied. “Vecchio da morire.”
Luciano chuckled. “You’re not old as fuck.”
“When are you comin’ to see me and bring me somethin’?”
“What would you like?”
“A woman,” he said. “Bring me a woman.”
“How ‘bout a suit? And some shoes.”
“Not as good, but I’ll take ‘em.”
“I need to talk to Franky.”
“I don’t talk to him no more. He can’t be trusted. He takes money from those dannazione terrorists.”
“Where can I find him?”
“You don’t see him at Willie Boy’s? He plays pool there. Lazy bum.”
“Grazie, Papà. I’ll send over something nice for you.” Luciano hung up, shifted his gaze out the tinted window.
I don’t miss that life.
Luciano called his assistant. “Put together a gift bag for Carlo Garibaldi. Include a black suit from my Infinity collection, black loafers, and a pair of slippers.”
“Two black dress shirts?”
“Yes. Have I sent him a gold chain with a crucifix?”
“I’ll check. Please hold.”
Luciano appreciated that Dominic kept excellent records.
“No crucifix. You sent him a gold Rolex two years ago.”
“When can you send everything?”
“Tomorrow, Saturday latest.”
“Take the weekend off,” Luciano said. “If not tomorrow, Monday. Have it couriered to his restaurant.”
“Yes, sir. Anything else?”
Stuart pulled in to the cemetery, and the noose tightened around Luciano’s neck.
“No,” Luciano replied. “Thank you, Dominic. Enjoy your weekend.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Stuart stopped the sedan at the top of the hill. Luciano exited, walked over to the Santini family plots and stared out over the well-kept lawns. The location was perfect. His great-grandfather had seen to that. First, he paid his respects to his G-pa, Elsa’s beloved husband.
The name SANTINI was carved into the black granite headstone.
“G-pa, I’m looking after Elsa for you,” Luciano said. “We all are. She misses you, but I entertain her with my stories… most of ‘em true.” He glanced out at the errant hawk flying overhead. “I met a woman.” He shook his head, but the image of Simone wouldn’t leave. “What should I do?”
Seconds passed. No answer came, so he moved on to the next grave, also with the name SANTINI engraved into the headstone.
Luciano dropped to one knee, brushed away a few errant leaves. “I miss you, Linda.” Thoughts of his beloved wife filled him with sadness. Though the memories should have comforted him, he felt alone, the best part of his life taken from him.
“I’m so sorry, my love.”
After a long moment, he moved to the next grave. “Hello, my angel. Are you playing in heaven today?” He kissed his finger, pressed it to the headstone. “Daddy loves you so much. I miss our story time. I miss our father-daughter dancing. You were the best little dancer.” Tears pricked his eyes. The emotion churned in him, the loss gutting him. It never got any easier. Never. “I love you Caterina.”
He shifted to the next gravesite.
“Hey, big guy.” Luciano ran a hand over the headstone. “Are you taking care of your mama and your baby sister? I feel your presence, Marco. I feel you with me. Always. I love you, son.”
Agonizing sorrow ripped through him.
A tear slid down his cheek as he moved back to his wife’s headstone. “Linda, I can’t find him, but I’ll never stop looking. Ti amo.”
He bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of my family. They were my entire world. I miss them, but I know your plan is bigger than my insignificant one. They were my greatest joy.” He paused. “Please watch over my living family, especially Elsa, and even Willie Boy. Help Simone through this difficult time. Forgive me for committing the ultimate sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” He crossed himself and rose.
A gust blew the swirling leaves past him. He shoved his windblown hair into place as he made his way back to the sedan, parked on the side of the cemetery road.
It never gets any easier.
SIMONE
The shock of losing Fred and the ambush against the ALPHA team had morphed into a fury that engulfed Simone. Just one day after learning of the massacre, she was a woman with a purpose. When her own team had died, she’d been devastated and overwhelmed with grief, survivor guilt, and fear.
This time, she felt only hatred and a desire to avenge her friend. A sense of loyalty rose from the depths of her being and she had stayed up scouring the dark web until she fell asleep on Carrera and Slash’s family room sofa after four in the morning.
She’d found nothing.
At six, Elsa padded into the kitchen to make coffee. When Simone pushed off the sofa, Elsa’s startled scream woke Slash and Carrera. The excitement was the perfect way for Simone to jumpstart her day. No caffeine needed.
At a little past noon, she arrived at Liv Savage’s beautiful McLean estate she shared with her husband, Jericho Savage, their three children, and Jericho’s grandmother.
She rang the doorbell.
“Simone, come in,” Liv said through the intercom.
She entered their home, made her way through the grand foyer. Unsure where Liv was, she stopped.
Liv walked out of the kitchen, a warm smile on her pretty face. After embracing Simone in a hug that filled her with love, Liv invited her into the kitchen.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Liv said.
Simone eyed the take-out food from her husband’s popular restaurant, Jericho Road. “That’s a lot of food.”
“The kids will love this when they get home from preschool,” Liv explained. “Even though it’s from Jericho Road, it’s more of a treat then a staple.”
Simone smiled. “I’m guessing you feed them vegetables.”
“As many as I can sneak into their tiny tummies.” Liv pulled out two sparkling waters.
In addition to racks of ribs and burgers, there were more French fries than Simone had ever seen in her life, along with coleslaw and baked beans.
After plating their food, they sat at the kitchen table.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Liv said. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Simone said after nibbling on a fry.
“This isn’t a professional visit,” Liv said. “I cleared you to return to work months ago. This is two friends having lunch.”
Liv was the therapist who’d helped Simone navigate through her PTSD after The Bomb Maker had eviscerated her life.
“I know,” Simone said, “but I also know your schedule is booked solid weeks ahead.”
“I appreciate your saying that. I did juggle a few things, but it’s all good. I’m working tonight and Jericho has the kids.” She smiled. “Those three little ones will be completely exhausted when I get home. Jericho is such a great dad.”
Seeing the love in Liv’s eyes reminded her that there was good in the world.
“Are you still a watcher?” Simone asked.
“No, when Z left, I resigned. I started seeing patients again, so I’m enjoying that.” Liv bit into the burger.
“So, Dr. Blackstone,” Simone said, “I’m going to ask you to put on your professional hat for a minute.”
Liv nodded.
“After my team and I got ambushed, I was a mess. This time, I’m filled with rage. I want revenge. I spent hours on the dark web searching for The Bomb Maker. I’m consumed with hatred.”
“I’m not surprised,” Liv said.
“I don’t want this feeling to go away. I want to use my anger to hunt him down.”
Liv’s eyebrows shot up, but she stayed silent.
“You cleared me to return to ALPHA, but I didn’t request an interview. I wasn’t confident I could do it,” Simone said. “I’m thinking your recommendation could go a long way toward reinstating me.”
Liv finished chewing, put down her fork. “I uploaded my recommendation months ago. Providence, Cooper, and I talked about you returning to ALPHA.”
“I never heard from them.”
“Cooper wanted to reach out, but Providence didn’t want to pounce.”
“I wasn’t ready, but I am now.”
Liv smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” Then, her smile fell away. “In order to remain objective?—”
“When I find that monster, I’m gonna kill him.”
“You sound like Jericho,” Liv murmured.
“Then you can understand how I feel.”
“I understand completely, but I don’t condone it.”
“I’m glad we talked,” Simone said. “I needed to get some insight into how you summarized my situation after you released me.”
“I told them you’d know when you were ready. I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
Simone’s heart fell. “So am I. I can’t even process what’s happened. All I feel is rage. He got away with murdering thousands, then he kills my team and vanishes into thin air. Now, he’s back with a bang, starting with ALPHA. He’s got all the power. All of it.”
“For now,” Liv said, “but I’m confident once ALPHA puts together a plan, he won’t have the power for long.”
“Thank you for rearranging your schedule, and for lunch,” Simone said. “I needed to talk with you because you were there for me.”
“And I’m here for you now.”
Simone walked over to the sideboard and admired the family photos. “Liam is getting so big. How are things going with Owen and Layla?”
Liv and Jericho had fostered, then adopted Owen and Layla after Carrera and Slash had removed them from a dangerous living situation.
Liv beamed, and love filled Simone’s heart. “My babies are like a pod. They’re very close. Jericho and I are talking about, maybe, having another.”
“That’s wonderful,” Simone said.
The women finished eating. Simone helped Liv clean up, then she left. As she jumped into her SUV, she made a call.
“Providence Luck,” answered the woman.
“Providence, it’s Simone—Red—Redding. I know things are chaotic at work, but I’d love to swing by and talk with you and Cooper. How’s tomorrow?”
“Did you get my text?” Providence asked.
Simone glanced at her phone which she’d silenced while lunching with Liv.
We need to talk
“I was in a meeting and missed it.” Simone said.
“When can you come by?”
“I can be there in twenty.”
“Looking forward to it.” Providence hung up.
As she drove out of Liv’s driveway, determination spurred her onward. She would work the case for Fred. She’d return to ALPHA for the Ops who’d been murdered, and she’d do it for herself. A shiver skirted through her, but she wasn’t backing down.
It’s time… time to face the devil.
LUCIANO
Luciano walked into Willie Boy’s restaurant, pausing at the hostess stand. “Tara, is Willie Boy in the back?”
“Hello, Mr. Santini,” Tara replied. “He’s there. I can bring you?—”
“I got this.” He flashed her a quick smile, took off into the busy eatery.
Willie Boy didn’t know how to run a business save his ass, but he was surrounded by people who did. Seven days a week, from eleven in the morning until midnight, locals looking for authentic Italian cuisine dined there. Nothing fancy, just damn good food.
He passed the closed door to Willie Boy’s private salon and entered the billiard room. Two pool tables took up most of the dingy room, a handful of chairs lined one of the walls.
What a dump.
Two people he didn’t recognize were playing a game of pool.
“I’m looking for Frankie,” Luciano said. “Have you seen him?
They both shook their heads.
Luciano retraced his steps, stopping at Willie Boy’s private salon. Not bothering to knock, Luciano walked in. He swept the room in search of his target and found his cousin sitting at his regular table in the back, surrounded by his usual group of kiss-ass associates. Luciano was there for information and he was not leaving until he got it.
As he approached the table, the lowlifes scattered. Only Willie Boy and the nobody who wanted a mil in boodle stayed.
Willie Boy glanced over and grinned. “Heyo, Lulu! We was just talking ‘bout cha. You remember my friend, Dante.”
Luciano kept his attention glued to his cousin. “You seen Frankie?”
“Frankie hasn’t been ‘round,” Willie Boy said. “I heard he left town.”
Luciano approached the table. Willie Boy kicked out the wooden chair with his foot. “Sit, have a beer with us.”
Refusing to sit, Luciano said, “I need Frankie’s number.”
Dante shot him a cool stare. “Mr. Santini, I was hoping you’d changed your mind. Willie Boy is convinced you can help me.”
“Help you with what?” Luciano snapped.
“That mil in counterfeit,” he said fiddling with his diamond pinky ring. “Like yourself, I’m not used to refusals.”
Luciano didn’t give a fuck about Dante. Shifting his attention back to Willie Boy, he said, “You got a number for Frankie?”
Willie Boy scrolled through his phone, rattled off the number, then dialed. The number had been disconnected. Per usual, his cousin was of no help to him. Most likely, Frankie was dead.
What a fucking waste of time.
“I’m gone,” Luciano said.
Dante stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
“I don’t need an escort.” Luciano tossed a nod at Willie Boy before leaving the salon.
Outside the restaurant, Luciano slid on his sunglasses while Stuart brought the vehicle around.
Dante pulled up beside him, pointed to a Lamborghini. “See that sweet ride over there. She’s mine. I have money, Mr. Santini. I’m a successful businessman, just like you.”
Stuart pulled the sedan over to the curb, got out, and opened the back door. Luciano glanced in Dante’s direction. “If you’re so successful, why the hell are you hanging out with Willie Boy?”
Dante’s mouth dropped open.
“Crawl back under whatever fucking rock you escaped from,” Luciano murmured before ducking into the vehicle. Stuart shut the door, got behind the wheel.
“Where to, sir?” Stuart asked.
Knock-knock.
Dante rapped on the window with his diamond pinky ring. Luciano rolled it down.
“You’re gonna regret not doing business with me.”
Despite the threat, Luciano wasn’t scared. While he could have had the last word, he didn’t need to. In this situation, his silence held more power.
Luciano tapped the button and the window closed. “Drive.”
Back at his office, he gave Stuart the rest of the day off. Rather than head inside, Luciano entered the garage beneath the building and got behind the wheel of his black SUV, parked in his spot.
As he headed out, he called his brother.
“Yo,” Teddy answered.
“I need a check run on someone using an alias. I’ve got photos.”
“Send over what you’ve got.”
“Are you working?”
“Recon,” Teddy replied. “What’s his name?”
“Dante.”
“What’s his story?”
“He’s hanging out with Willie Boy?—”
“So he’s a loser douche?—”
Luciano chuckled. “He wants a mil in boodle. Willie Boy told him I could help.”
“Willie Boy’s an idiot. I could never understand how you two were friends.”
“We were kids.”
“Gotta bolt,” Teddy said. “Here he comes.” The line went dead.
After texting Teddy the photos of Dante, he continued on Route 7, then turned onto a quiet side street. A few more turns until he drove down a dirt road, then past the NO TRESPASSING sign. The woods cleared, he turned into a parking lot, continued to the back of the unmarked warehouse, and pulled up an app on his phone. He entered the passcode, the hangar door opened, and Luciano parked behind a black SUV, one of several in ALPHA’s fleet.
He’d arrived at ALPHA’s Black Site.
He exited the vehicle, made his way toward the door. The scanner flashed green, the door slid open, and he entered. Down the hall he strode toward the break room. The closer he got, the louder the voices.
There he found Carrera, Sin, and Sin’s twin, Dakota Luck, head of BLACK OPS. Also in the group was Cooper Grant, ALPHA co-lead, Rebel Dillinger, head of the rescue team, and Jericho Savage, ALPHA’s sharpshooter.
“Looks like I found the party,” Luciano said as he shook their hands.
“Good to see you, brother,” Jericho said. “How you been?”
“Ruthless, power-hungry, ready to take this monster down.” Then, Luciano smiled. “How ‘bout you, Savage?”
“I don’t have a comeback for that,” Jericho replied, and the guys laughed.
“No one ever does,” Sin added before shifting toward Luciano. “Why didn’t you include arrogant and wealthy?”
“We’re all arrogant and wealthy,” Luciano replied.
Another round of laughter filled the room.
Despite the hardship they were facing, he appreciated that these men stayed true to who they were. Powerful, driven individuals who were loyal to their tight-knit group, to their families, and to their organization.
The men made their way toward the conference room.
The Black Site was ALPHA’s secure location, tucked into a wooded area of Great Falls. In addition to offering conference rooms with state-of-the-art surveillance monitoring, it also offered a safe haven for up to thirty Ops and their families, something Dakota knew about firsthand.
The place was void of any warmth or personality. Should the location be breached, there could be nothing that tied the building to its occupants or the organization that owned it.
When Rebel started the rescue team, the woods provided a secluded location to train his team. Whether they were using live rounds or repelling from a helo, it was the perfect spot to run and gun. Nothing but privacy for miles and miles.
They entered the conference room, sat around the table.
“Thanks for meeting on such short notice,” Dakota began. “This is a tough day for us, for our organization, and for the families and friends of the victims. Coop, how’s the team doing?”
“Not good,” Cooper replied. “We told everyone not to come in, but the Ops are there en force. They’ve got Danielle combing the dark web for chatter, for anything?—”
“I found something,” Luciano said.
All eyes on him.
“It was buried in a random group for supporters and sympathizers of Haqazzii’s terror cell,” Luciano explained. “Inferno531 wrote, ‘The Bomb Maker is back’, but I couldn’t confirm the validity of the comment.”
“Nice work,” Dakota replied.
“He had the upper hand when he left,” Sin said, “and he picked right back up where he left off.”
“Cooper, what about your recent hires?” Luciano asked. “Were they well vetted?”
“Yes, but we have no direct control over who they share information with,” Cooper replied. “Most of them have families. A friend or family member could get access to our site.”
“So… not one-hundred-percent secure?” Luciano asked.
“In theory, yes,” Cooper replied. “In reality, no.”
“The rescue team is ready to go,” Rebel said, “but I told them to stand down.”
Dakota got busy on his laptop. A blurry photo appeared on the display behind him of a white guy with shoulder-length brown hair. “This is all we have of The Bomb Maker.”
“Could be anyone,” Jericho said.
“ALPHA was the last group he hit before he went missing,” Dakota said. “It was his ‘fuck you’ to law enforcement.”
“Even if we had a lead, I can’t assign a team,” Cooper said, “It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s gotta piss off your Operatives,” Luciano said.
Cooper nodded. “They’re furious with me. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them work the case anyway. We’re concerned there’s a mole in the group. How else would The Bomb Maker have known we were coming?”
Jericho’s phone buzzed with a text. He read it, pushed out of the chair. “It’s Liv. Normally, I wouldn’t?—”
“Family comes first,” Dakota said.
Jericho strode out.
“We can’t do nothing,” Sin said.
“The investigation on the home explosion will close,” Carrera said.
“Why is that?” Jericho asked.
“I told the press it was a gas leak that caused the explosion,” Sin explained. “I also called in a favor or two. The arson detective got himself into a mess a few years ago. He owed me one.”
“And we got the bodies out fast,” Rebel added.
Jericho strode back in. “Liv has an idea.” He sat, set his phone on the table. “Babe, you’re on speaker.”
“Hi guys,” Liv said.
The men acknowledged her.
“I just spent some time with Simone Redding,” Liv said. “She’s ready to return to ALPHA and she could work the case.”
Simone?
Luciano flicked his gaze to Carrera.
“Did you clear her to return?” Dakota asked.
“Months ago,” Liv replied.
“PTSD?” Sin asked.
“Not anymore,” Liv replied. “I thought she’d be a mess, you know, because she and Frederica were such good friends.”
“Since Quantico,” Dakota added.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Liv said. “She’s grieving, but she’s definitely angry. It’s a controlled rage. In the right environment, with the right people, that fury could be channeled into finding the suspect.”
“Thanks, Liv,” Sin said. “Very helpful.”
“Jericho—” Liv said.
“Yeah, babe,” Jericho replied.
“I had Jericho Road delivered for Simone and me, and there’s a ton left. Will you be home for dinner?”
“Absolutely. I’ll pick up the kids on my way. Love you.”
“Love you, babe.” The line went dead.
Without question, Luciano knew what he had to do. “I’ll go after The Bomb Maker.”
All eyes on him.
“I’m not law enforcement,” Luciano continued. “I’m not ALPHA. I’m an assassin who plays by my own set of rules.”
“And those are?” Cooper asked.
“Kill or be killed.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “As you can see, I’m good at what I do.”
“You can’t work alone,” Cooper said
“I have a crew,” Luciano said.
“You need someone on the inside,” Dakota said. “Someone with access to ALPHA and other law enforcement sites.”
He did have access to ALPHA, but he wasn’t divulging that. He slid his gaze to Carrera and a knowing look passed between them.
“Reinstate Simone,” Carrera said.
“She’s hasn’t worked a case in a while,” Dakota said.
“For the past two years, she’s been a watcher,” Carrera said. “Her caseload is twice everyone else’s. She’s smart, she’s a hard worker, and she’s thorough.”
“She just lost her best friend,” Sin added. “Is she in the right headspace?”
“You heard Liv,” Jericho said. “She’s ready and she wants the case.”
Silence.
“I’m not sure,” Dakota said.
“I am,” Luciano said. “I’m one-hundred-percent confident she’ll get the job done and I’ll finish him off. And just to cover our asses, we’ll use Jericho’s sniper skills if we need him.”
“I’m in,” Jericho said.
“If we want it done right, we do it ourselves,” Cooper said. “This job needs to stay tight. Nothing outside our circle.”
The men agreed.
“We vote,” Dakota said.
“No,” Luciano pushed back. “I don’t want to know if any of you don’t think she can do it. I know she can. Schedule a meeting here. Let me talk to her.”
“You?” Sin asked. “She can’t know you’re gonna take The Bomb Maker out.”
“She can’t work this alone,” Cooper said. “That’s unreasonable and unfair.”
“One meeting,” Luciano asked. “She’ll either agree to work with me or she won’t.”
“I’m in,” Sin said.
“I’ve been in,” Jericho said, and the guys laughed.
“Same,” Cooper echoed.
“Simone will get it done,” Carrera said.
“What about me?” Luciano asked his cousin.
“You? As far as you’re concerned, The Bomb Maker is already dead.”
“It’s a go,” Dakota said. “This meeting never happened.”
“And nothing we said gets repeated,” Sin said.
“There isn’t a single one of you who won’t tell your wives,” Luciano said.
Silence, then laughter.
“He knows us better than I thought,” Dakota said.
“I know everything I need to know—” Luciano said.
“And a hell of a lot more,” Carrera muttered.
Luciano winked at Carrera. “Grazie, cugino.”
“Providence and I will talk to Simone,” Cooper said. “We’ll keep everyone posted.”
Luciano wanted to speak with Simone directly. He didn’t need these middlemen when it came to teaming. He would go to the source, present his offer. She was either all-in or she wasn’t.
When it came to a job like this, there was no in-between. People were going to die. There could even be collateral damage. This hunt wasn’t going to be easy, but it was absolutely necessary. If they didn’t take out The Bomb Maker, he would eliminate ALPHA, then unleash a maelstrom of terror on the nation.
Luciano would not let that happen.
I’m coming for you, you son of a bitch… with everything I’ve got.