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“Wizard,” Viper warned, bringing him back on track.
Their immediate priority was Natalia. Once they had her, Wizard and Rocco could argue over who had first claim on Marco.
Wizard coordinated with Rocco, setting a time for The Last Riders to leave for the meeting and another for Rocco’s departure. After ending the call, he pulled out of the airport.
Viper began explaining the information Shade had uncovered.
“Natalia and Rocco are the children of Rafael Amato and a woman he met and married in the United States. Rafael now heads a powerful Cosa Nostra in Sicily. From what Shade learned, his enemies fear him and his connections too much to attempt to kill him directly. We believe Marco’s and Lucia’s extended families live in the provinces Rafael controls. They may have recruited Marco and Lucia to take Natalia and Rocco captive, using them as leverage to force Rafael to come to the United States to save them. They could kill him here while their relatives kept their hands clean.”
“They have no intention of trading Natalia for Lucia,” Wizard surmised.
“No, they don’t. Shade believes the meeting is intended to kill everyone protecting Rocco—you and any Last Riders who come with you.”
“They’ll keep their hands clean, just like their relatives in Sicily,” Wizard said, swinging the SUV into the clubhouse parking lot. The grim reality of what they faced had him mentally counting how many men they had. “They’ll make it look as though we killed one another in a turf war.”
“Fuck.” Slamming the SUV into Park, Wizard looked at Viper. “How many men does Shade estimate Marco will have?”
“Marco and Lucia both have large families. Marco also has forty employees who depend on him for their livelihoods.”
“How many?” Wizard repeated.
“At least a hundred.”
“What kind of firepower do they have?”
Viper was prepared for the question. “Lucia’s brother-in-law owns a gun store.”
Wizard closed his eyes, his hands still gripping the steering wheel. “What are the odds of us reaching Natalia alive?” he asked hoarsely.
“Eight percent.”
Opening his eyes, Wizard looked at Viper then at the men in the back seat. None of them showed fear. Their expressions held only fierce determination.
Knox leaned forward. “Don’t worry. Shade always gives conservative estimates. If he says eight percent, it’s probably closer to fifteen.” He gave Wizard a hard look. “Brother, I talked two women into marrying me, and every one of you fuckers said I didn’t stand a chance with either of them. Odds don’t count for shit when the woman you love is in danger. You’ll wager your soul to beat them.”
Reaching sideways, Knox opened the door. “Now, let’s figure out how we’re going to beat those motherfuckers.”
CHAPTER 53
REAPER
“Wake up!”
Marco’s strident voice dragged Natalia from the labyrinth she had sunk into when the pain in her head had become too much to bear. Jerked upright from her semi-conscious state into a sitting position, she found herself unable to open one eye completely. Her hands were still zip-tied together, and worse, Marco stood over her with a raised fist, as if he expected her to be terrified of him.
“Rocco and your lover are on their way,” he spat venomously. “If you move from this spot, I’ll knock you out again. Il padre wants you awake when Rocco gets here. I’d prefer you unconscious, so stay put if you know what’s good for you.”
Gathering what little saliva remained in her dry mouth, Natalia spat on Marco’s shoe. “You’re such a pussy. If your father tells you to jump, you ask how high.”
Marco drew back his fist, but before he could strike, his father jerked him away.
“Go stand by the window and tell me when Rocco gets here.”
Shoving Marco toward the window, Antonio glared at her. “Don’t push my son.”
The hatred on his face failed to inspire the fear he had intended.
Raising her chin, Natalia gave him a pitying look. “I can see why you hate my father. He raised a son to be proud of, while you”—she allowed her words to trail off insultingly—“you raised a boy who still can’t wipe his own ass.”
