Chapter 19
ALESSANDRA
Daniele’s men start getting antsy, their eyes darting around the warehouse, looking out through the partially boarded-up windows.
Luca will be here soon. For some reason, knowing that makes the situation a tiny bit more bearable. Gives me a flicker of hope.
Kennedy wraps her arms around me and leans in to ensure no one can hear what she’s saying. “Do you think Luca has a plan to get us out of here?”
I snuggle a sleeping Benjamin against me closer and turn my head slightly so she can hear me. “My guess is this was part of Luca’s plan the whole time. There’s no way this was set up between when we were taken and when Dan told us about it.”
“So, they must have had a plan before the shooting went down.”
I give a little nod, praying I’m right. “If anyone can get us out of here, if anyone can convince someone as unhinged as Daniele to let us go, it’ll be Luca. And if all else fails, the cavalry will come in guns blazing.”
Kennedy glances over at Atlas and Astrid. “It can’t come soon enough…”
But they will come.
Pope will.
I know it deep in my soul.
He may not be as lethal as his father or sister or Gabe…but he will get to us. Any way he can. No matter what stands in his way. Including the men in this warehouse.
Dan moves between them, giving them orders but looking over here every few minutes to ensure we haven’t moved an inch.
I’ve done my best to remain still so I don’t draw any more attention to me or the fact that I still have Benjamin when Dan said he would take him back right away. But the utter stillness of the twins beside me screams just how bad a shape they’re in.
I peek over at them, trying to keep Dan in my peripheral vision. “Astrid, Atlas, how are you guys doing?”
Atlas glances up at me from where he sprawls on the concrete, no longer even able to sit up. Eyes clouded and unfocused. His skin, at least what’s visible of it that isn’t tattooed, pale.
Astrid doesn’t look much better, lying with her head on his thigh.
He groans. “Alive.” He chuckles, and it turns into a wince. “But shit, we’re not going to last like this much longer.”
There wasn’t any need to state the obvious. We all knew it. But for someone like him, who literally fights for a living and would never concede defeat, to admit that, it’s bad, really fucking bad.
The makeshift tourniquets Kennedy rigged by ripping up her T-shirt and tying it around his wound and Astrid’s don’t seem to have helped staunch the flow of blood very much.
Pools have started to form under them.
And while I may not be a doctor, I know that kind of blood loss can be life-threatening very quickly. The longer we sit here, our freedom controlled by a rookie mobster with too much on his plate and too high aspirations, the worse it’s going to get.
Dan sees me talking to them and narrows his eyes, coming over. “What are you doing?”
Squaring my shoulders, refusing to cower before him, I stand my ground. “I’m just checking on them.”
“Stop.”
“If they die here, what are you going to do?”
A contemptuous snort slips from him. “If Luca walks in and sees them, he won’t care. From what I hear, he’s pretty pissed off at your uncle right now.” He looks at Kennedy. “Your father’s greed is getting the best of him. He’s going to pay for it now.” He reaches forward to take Benjamin from me, and I jerk back, holding him tighter.
Dan glares at me, fury flashing across his gaze. “Give him to me.”
I shake my head. “Do you want to be holding him during your meeting with Luca?” I raise a brow. “What harm does it do to let me keep him?”
Logic.
It’s the one thing we haven’t tried yet, but he seems unconvinced, reaching again and sliding his hands under him.
I don’t know why I try to reason with him when the man clearly can’t see any, but headlights flash through the warehouse windows, drawing his attention away before he can act.
One of his men jogs over. “Boss, they’re here.”
Dan stands and walks away without looking back, apparently not as concerned about Benjamin as he is the arrival of the man I’ve considered my uncle for my entire life.
I can see how the priorities go—business then son.
Which may actually play in our favor.
Kennedy shifts her position, sliding onto her knees.
“What are you doing?”
She glances my way briefly. “I want to be able to get up fast if I need to.”
“Be careful. If they catch you—”
Leaning in, she scans the warehouse. “Look at his men. They’re so terrified of Luca; they’re not even watching us anymore.”
I follow her gaze, examining each of the half-dozen armed guards scattered around who now move toward Dan, leaving a single armed goon at one of the doors.
The one Luca steps through.
My breath catches at the sight of him, hope bursting forward through the abyss surrounding us.
His hard, dark eyes scan the warehouse and pause on us momentarily. Somehow, he manages to fight his reaction to seeing Astrid and Atlas’ conditions, advancing toward Dan.
Dan opens his arms. “Mr. Abello, thank you so much for coming to meet with me.”
Luca steps forward, his shiny Italian loafers glinting under the overhead fluorescent lights. He offers Dan a half smile. “I am sorry about your father. I haven’t had a chance to offer my condolences before now.”
He sounds so sincere that I almost believe him, but all the Hawkes know how he felt about Cristiano Roselli.
Luca might have backed him to take over when he stepped down, but that didn’t mean there were any sort of friendly feelings between the two. They tolerated each other—which kept the relative peace over the last thirty years.
That’s all changed now.
Dan gives him a nod. “I appreciate it. It’s been difficult.”
Luca raises a brow. “Had I known he had a son interested in the business, I might’ve been able to assist you sooner.”
“I wasn’t always interested in my father’s business, but times change, as I’ve heard they have for you and your relationship with the Hawkes.” He glances over his shoulder at us. “Which brings us to where we are tonight.”
Luca’s penetrating gaze follows Dan’s, landing on the baby and me.
God, he’s a good actor.
If I didn’t know him as well as I do, I would believe he didn’t give a shit about any of us.
Giving nothing away in his gaze, he lowers it to Benjamin. “I see you got your son back.”
A smile curls Dan’s lips. “Yes, finally. I don’t intend to give him up.”
Luca shakes his head. “Nor would I. I understand the love a parent has for their child and what they’re willing to do for them.”
His words make the tears I’ve been holding back finally fall because I know what he did for Jude, and I know what Pope would do for Benjamin. The same thing I would—literally anything.
Dragging his focus away from us, Luca crosses his hands behind his back, surveying the warehouse with a slow turn. “I hope this isn’t your base of operations. If so, it leaves a bit to be desired.”
Dan offers a laugh. “Of course not, temporary digs. Until I can get rid of Francis and consolidate my father’s power, I need to stay on the move.”
Luca pauses, giving Dan a smug grin. “You don’t need to worry about Francis anymore.”
Kennedy grabs my arm, her fingers digging into it. “Is he saying what I think he’s saying?”
I nod.
Holy shit.
Luca’s taking this much further than I thought he ever would. After he went through so much to get out of the business, to move away from this life, in order to save us, he’s had to go right back to it. By taking out Roselli’s rival, he’s making enemies out of others, those who supported Gilardi and who choose not to fall under the Roselli umbrella anymore.
That’s the last thing any of us need—another potential enemy—but it may be the lesser of two evils in this situation.
Deal with the current threat, then look to any future ones later.
Daniele raises a brow at him. “He’s gone?”
Luca offers him a hard smile. “Consider it an act of good faith so that you know I’m serious when I tell you that I’d like to back you and help you take your seat. Your father fought hard for it when I stepped down, and he controlled this area well for a long time. You deserve it. Not Francis, and definitely not Satriano.”
At the mention of the name, Dan’s entire demeanor shifts, his shoulders stiffening, eyes turning almost black. “He’s been after me at the order of the Hawkes.”
Nodding, Luca starts to wander closer to us—intentionally, I’m sure. “I’m aware.” He stops a few feet from us and stares down at Kennedy, Atlas, Astrid, and me, his eyes bouncing between the four of us and to Benjamin. “It appears you’ve already taken care of at least two of them.”
Dan joins him over near us and grins. “Those two won’t last long.”
“And what about the others? Allowing Atlas and Astrid to die will activate Gabe Anderson’s full potential as a killer, and Kennedy is Savage’s daughter. So, she holds a lot of weight. Alessandra, well…”
He doesn’t have to tell Daniele anything about me. I stupidly told him everything when we were together, believing he cared.
Fucking idiot, Al.
Dan crosses his arms over his chest and watches us. “I haven’t decided yet. But unless you think they’d be of some use, I plan to get rid of them.”
Luca looks over at Dan, his face dead serious. “That’s probably wise. The Hawkes will come for them otherwise, and you don’t want that. They’re well-armed and well-prepared, undoubtedly searching for them already. They’ll get down to business as soon as they find you.”
Yes.
He’s telling us there is a plan, and it’s already underway. No way Luca would come to meet with Daniele Roselli and not bring the cavalry. And he just gave us the warning that when bullets start flying, we need to get down.
Kennedy shifts her position, making it easier to drop low if she needs to, and I do the same, ensuring Dan’s focus isn’t on me as I move.
They’re coming soon.
I can feel the tension building in the warm, humid air.
Dan must sense it, too, because his spine stiffens and he narrows his eyes on Luca. “I imagine they are. But you wouldn’t have been stupid enough to lead them to me, would you?”
Luca holds up his hands. “Of course not. As I said”—he inclines his head toward us—“I’m done with the Hawkes and Savage lording his power over me. I ran this city after my father’s death, the same way you should. I still have more power than Savage ever will, yet he acts like he’s my boss. I won’t put up with it any longer.”
“But you’ll let me be your boss?”
A sinister grin curves Luca’s lips. “I’d see you take the throne, but I don’t have any intention of getting my hands dirty in the future. I’ll support you. I’ll back you. I’ll make introductions and connections with people you may not know. Smooth things over with those who may have supported Gilardi or do support Satriano. Then I’ll be a silent partner.”
“For what sort of cut?”
“Forty percent.”
Dan’s eyes fly open wide. “Fuck no.”
Luca’s broad shoulders rise and fall in his tailored suit. “Then I guess we have nothing further to discuss.”
He turns and walks back toward the door he entered through, but Daniele calls out to him.
“Wait.”
* * *
POPE
Roselli calls out to Luca,and he freezes halfway to the door. From my vantage point, peeking in through one of the cracked, dirty windows on the far side of the warehouse, I can only hear bits and pieces of their conversation, but I can see enough to know that things are dire.
Astrid and Atlas lie barely moving on the floor beside Kennedy and Allie, their clothes bearing the evidence of their wounds. They’ve clearly been losing blood for a while, possibly since the shooting at the condo, which was hours ago.
If Luca doesn’t wrap this up quickly so we can move in on them, it may be too late.
My gut twists at that thought, and I push it back out of my head, trying to force myself to think as a doctor and not family.
I can save them if I can just get in there.
But we’re in standby mode right now, waiting for Luca to get clear so we can eliminate Roselli and his crew once and for all.
I glance over to where Gabe, Saint, and Bishop stand ready in tactical gear, tucked against the building, watching everything unfold and praying this all goes smoothly.
It could be deadly if it doesn’t.
Rage floods my veins, growing stronger every moment we have to hold off on rescuing them. Watching Allie and Benjamin cower against the wall, terrified and helpless, has only enforced the fact that there is no way to resolve this without Roselli dying. But it doesn’t mean we can risk people we love getting caught in the crossfire.
I tighten my hand around my Glock, ready to do whatever I have to.
He won’t hurt you again.
Never.
I silently make the promise to her, hoping she can feel it and knows I’m here, coming for them as soon as Luca is clear.
And Roselli just stopped him from leaving.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Luca turns to face him, but headlights roll over us, and I have to duck into the shadows, unable to hear the rest of their conversation as I hide from the new arrival.
A dark SUV pulls up to the warehouse, and Satriano climbs from the back, buttoning his suit coat as he closes his door. His eyes bounce over to my hiding place immediately, then he scans the darkness, looking for what he must know is the rest of us.
“Dr. Clarke, why don’t you join me inside?”
Shit.
This wasn’t part of the plan.
If I show up, it could set Dan off.
But I can’t exactly pretend Satriano didn’t see me or that he’s not standing here, waiting for some sort of response.
I rise from my crouched position, tucking my gun into the holster at my hip, and pull my shirt over it as I approach him. “What are you doing here?”
He grins. “The same thing you are.”
“I highly doubt that.”
A low chuckle slips from his lips, and he motions toward the warehouse door. “I heard there was a meeting happening tonight that I might be interested in. Didn’t want to miss it.”
“Why do you need me?”
Another slow grin splits his face. “You’ll see. Shall we?”
He spreads his arm wide, indicating I should walk in front of him, and four of his men line up around us, leading our group toward the entrance.
I make eye contact with Bishop as I pass her hiding spot, and she warns me with hard bourbon eyes not to fuck this up.
Like I need another reminder of who is in there and what’s at stake…
I step through the door, Satriano at my side, and Roselli’s men are immediately on us. Luca’s eyes widen, but he schools his features quickly.
Dan jerks his head toward Luca, already reaching for his own weapon. “What the fuck is this?”
Luca steps back, holding up his hands. “This has nothing to do with me. I don’t know why they’re here.”
And for the first time tonight, he’s telling the truth.
None of this was part of the plan.
Now, we’re all flying by the seat of our pants, and if we don’t make this work, it will be a fucking bloodbath.
My eyes dart to Allie, and her wide ones meet mine. Tears streak down her cheeks, and her lip trembles. She’s terrified, but at least she appears unhurt and has Benjamin in her arms.
The same can’t be said for Atlas or Astrid…
Roselli fumes, spittle flying from his mouth as he points his weapon at Luca. “Like hell you didn’t. This was a fucking setup.”
Luca shakes his head. “It was not.”
Which isn’t a complete lie.
Satriano was never supposed to be here, but it was a setup.
One that has now gone to shit because of the man standing beside me showing up uninvited. Satriano steps forward, holding up his hands. “Now, now. Let’s not rush to conclusions. Mr. Abello didn’t know I was going to be here this evening or that I was going to swing by and pick up Dr. Clarke on my way.”
I release a heavy breath.
At least he didn’t out me or the rest of the Hawkes for already being outside. Which means there may still be a chance to make this plan work.
Satriano approaches them, keeping enough distance that his men can provide cover against Roselli’s. “I just didn’t want to miss out on what appears to be such an important discussion regarding the future of New Orleans.” He looks at Luca. “And from what I hear, the third interested party is no longer an issue, thanks to Mr. Abello.”
Luca inclines his head but doesn’t say anything else about taking out Francis Gilardi.
When he said he had been busy the last few months, he meant it. Using old contacts. Making new ones. Maneuvering himself into a position that allowed him to walk right into Gilardi’s penthouse and end him with a single shot before his men even knew what hit him. And they were too scared of Luca Abello to retaliate for the death of their don. They let him walk out scot-free, something I don’t know if we’ll be lucky enough to accomplish again.
Satriano moves around Luca and Dan’s standoff, urging me with him, until he can better see Allie, Astrid, Atlas, and Kennedy against the wall. “It appears we have a few injuries. Perhaps Dr. Clarke could go take care of them while we finish our conversation.”
Allie’s eyes stay locked on mine, pleading with me. And fuck, if it isn’t the hardest thing in the world to have to stay rooted here until Roselli gives me the okay.
He looks between Satriano and Luca and me, confusion furrowing his brow.
The asshole doesn’t know what to fucking do.
If his men start shooting, so will Satriano’s. And if that happens, the chances of him getting out of here alive are slim. The fucker doesn’t realize he’s leaving in a body bag, no matter what he does now.
Any attempt to exit the warehouse and either Gabe, Bishop, or Dad will end him with one fucking shot.
Satriano raises his shoulders and lets them fall, his gaze sliding over Astrid and Atlas again. “What could it hurt to let Dr. Clarke take a look?”
Not that I can do much without any medical supplies on me—but at least I can assess them and see how much time we have.
Dan shakes his head, locking his jaw as his hand tightens around his weapon still pointed at Luca. “He doesn’t need to check them. They’re irrelevant.”
That draws a slow grin across Satriano’s face. “They’re far from irrelevant. I have plans for the Hawkes, and you’re interfering with them.”
The cold hand of dread squeezes my spine as I look at the man.
Plans.
It’s the same warning he issued all those months ago at the hotel groundbreaking—the threat we’ve all been waiting for him to act on.
Roselli swallows thickly, debating whether he wants to further piss off a man like Satriano over such a seemingly innocent action, like letting me examine the injured. “Fine. He can go.”
Thank fuck.
I rush across the cracked concrete and drop to my knees, pulling Allie and Benjamin to me and pressing a kiss to her lips. Pulling back, I take her face in my palms. “Thank God!” I run a hand over Benjamin’s head, sound asleep through the standoff going on behind me. “Are you two all right?”
She nods as tears stream down her face. “Yes…”
Physically maybe.
But I can see how traumatized she really is by all that happened and continues to around us.
I look at Kennedy, scanning her quickly. “Kennedy?”
She nods. “I’m good. Astrid and Atlas have lost a lot of blood.”
“I can see that.”
Releasing Allie, I move over to them, checking Astrid first.
Though she’s unconscious, her pulse and breathing are steady, and the tourniquet around her side seems to have staunched the flow of blood enough to keep her stable—for now.
I move on to Atlas, who is in a much more dire situation.
Weak, thready pulse.
Cold and clammy skin.
The wound on his shoulder still leaking like a damn sieve despite someone’s attempt to stop the bleeding.
Fuck.
“Hey, Atlas.” I tap the side of his cheek, and his eyes flutter open partially. Grabbing the hem of my shirt, I rip off a section and make a new bandage, tightening it around his arm as hard as I can. “Try to stay awake.”
He winces and struggles to focus on me, instinctually attempting to move, but I keep him prone, hand on his chest. Finally, his eyes meet mine. “Pope?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Atlas’ brow furrows as he attempts to look at the warehouse behind me. “What’s going—”
I press my hand over his mouth, dipping my head closer. “We’re all getting out of here. Just stay down and—”
“Hey!” Roselli’s voice cuts through my conversation with Atlas, making me still. “What the fuck are you doing over there?” He comes closer, pointing his gun aimlessly back toward where Satriano and Luca stand. “That’s enough. Back away.”
I raise my hands and retreat, turning to face him. “They need to get to a hospital soon, or they’re both going to die.”
The words feel like acid burning across my tongue as I speak them, and the sob Allie releases behind me makes me wince. But the truth is, they don’t have much time.
Especially Atlas.
Satriano tsks his tongue, moving off to one side and putting more distance between himself and Roselli as Luca does the same in the other direction. “I’m sorry, Daniele. As I said, I have plans for the Hawkes, and your interference over the last few months has made things difficult for me.”
The singer-turned-mob boss snarls at him, his eyes wild and unhinged. He staggers away from us toward the center of the warehouse. “Are you threatening me?”
Satriano shakes his head, completely calm in the face of the younger man’s rage. “I don’t have to threaten you.”
The shot comes so fast that Roselli’s men don’t know what’s happening.
A single, clean headshot from the window in the far corner of the warehouse.
Roselli’s goons take a stunned second to react, but it’s all the time Satriano’s men, Gabe, Bishop, and Dad need to take them all out—the sharp crack of gunfire explodes in the air, ringing in my ears along with Benjamin’s frantic cries.
One by one, Roselli’s entire crew drops to the concrete in bloody heaps.
It’s over.
Finally.
My legs tremble, and I turn and drop to the floor to start working on Atlas and Astrid, doing what I can until the ambulances get here. I know someone outside is already calling.
Allie watches intently with tear-soaked eyes, whispering something to Benjamin, who has been stunned by the sudden, catastrophically loud noises around him.
Kennedy moves over next to me. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Apply pressure to her wound and check if there’s an exit.”
I adjust Atlas so that he’s in a better position for his airway and press my hand over where the bullet tore into him—really, the only thing I can do to help slow the bleeding now.
My gaze meets Allie’s, and she completely loses it.
A sob wrenches from her throat, and she clutches Benjamin to her as Luca rushes over to us and pulls her into his arms.
Tears blur my vision, and I struggle to speak through the lump in my throat. “Shit. Teeny, I’m so sorry…”
For ever breaking up with her.
For all the years we lost.
For the pain she’s had to endure.
For everything.
All I want to do is pull her into my arms and hold her now that we know she’s finally safe, but with Satriano literally looking over our shoulders, we might not be.