But there were worse things.
My phone rang, and my mom’s name was on the screen. It was unlike her to call me at this time of night, so I answered right away. “Hey, Mama.”
Her long silence before she spoke was a dead giveaway that something was wrong. “Vanessa…I don’t know how to say this. I’m not even entirely sure what’s happening right now…” Her tone was heavy with sorrow, so full of pain that it weighed down her voice.
“What is it?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Your father and uncle left about forty minutes ago. They didn’t have time to explain. But from what I understand, someone has put a hit on Conway and Sapphire. They’re making their move tonight, as we speak…”
I covered my mouth, stifling my cry. “Oh my god…”
“Your father is a powerful man. Strongest man I know. He’ll get Conway…but I’m so scared. I’m a mess right now.”
“We have to get to Milan, Mama. We’ve gotta leave now.”
“It’s a five-hour drive. We’ll never make it in time.”
“But we still need to be there. I’ll pick you up, alright?”
“I don’t know…”
“Mama, I’m driving to Milan whether you come with me or not. If Father saves Conway, I want to be there. If he doesn’t…I’ll avenge them both myself. You need to come with me too.”
Mama took a deep breath over the phone. “You’re right. I know where all the guns are.”
“I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
Three
Crow
The chopper landed in Milan at the rendezvous point with the other men, along with the tanks and equipment we needed. We were going into a hostile situation with no information at all. We could be up against four men or forty. No idea. We had to be prepared for anything.
Cane and I got into the Hummer with our men in the back.
“Is Carter meeting us at the site?”
Cane had a beanie pulled over his head, dressed in all black with the vest over his clothes. “I want to keep my son out of this, Crow.”
When we rescued Vanessa, all of us were involved. Even Button was involved. But this was different, since this was a hit by the Skull Kings, the most ruthless organization in Italy. Cane and I were well-acquainted with them. They were monsters in the dark. I loved my wife dearly, but she didn’t have what it took to stand up to men like that.
He continued. “If I die, I need him to take care of Adelina and Carmen…as well as Pearl and Vanessa.”
If both of us died, Carter would be the last man of the Barsetti line. “You’re right.”
“Thanks.”
I was behind the wheel, driving through the quiet streets of Milan. It was only nine in the evening and there should be more people out, but it was a ghost town. It was alarming. “Why is it so quiet?”
Cane scanned the area then spoke into the radio.
One of our guys spoke back. “Some of the streets are blocked off by police. Must be for the banquet Conway’s attending.”
Cane looked at me, his eyebrow raised.
“I wonder if it’s really the police or them,” I said out loud.
Cane nodded. “It could go either way. Were you able to get a hold of Conway?”
I shook my head then pulled over to the side of the street next to the curb. “His phone is on silent. I left a text message so it’ll be on his screen right away.”
Cane’s phone rang, and he answered immediately without checking to see who it was. “Cane.”
The guy was audible to my ears through the phone. “We just hit the house in Verona. She’s not here.”
“What?” he snapped, his nostrils flaring. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. There was a struggle. Front door was left open.”
“Shit,” Cane said. “Blood?”
My chest suddenly tightened, the pain searing me from the inside out.
“No,” he answered. “I’m not sure when this happened. We may have just missed them.”
“Find some clues, and figure out where the hell they went.” Cane hung up then gripped his skull. “Shit.”
“Fuck. We were too late.” I kept my hands on the wheel, but I felt a momentary jolt of weakness in my fingers and legs. My daughter-in-law had been taken, and I didn’t save her. I didn’t do my job. I didn’t protect my grandbaby. Even if I saved my son, he would never get over this. My temper snapped, and I punched the steering wheel, making a horn ring out.
“Stop!” Cane pulled my hand back. “We don’t have time for this.”
“Maybe you should go back and see if you can figure it out,” I said. “She’s a Barsetti… I can’t let anything happen to her. I love her like a daughter.”
“Crow.” He gripped my shoulder. “There’s no time for that. Whatever is done is done. Hopefully, our guys can pick up their trace.”
“Shit.” I gripped my skull, the rage starting to make me shake. I would slit the throat of every single man who laid a hand on her. I wouldn’t stop until she was avenged.