“More reinforcements?” It isn’t my men. They’re hauled up inside the complex, fighting for their lives.
When had the Russians grown their empire to such a magnitude?
“FBI!” a woman shouts, her gun drawn as she enters my office with a team behind her.
Did the fucking Russians bring the feds to my house?
“I’m not going to prison,” I say, staring at my men.
“Don’t be stupid. You have a family,” Ardian warns me. “If you kill a fed, they’ll put you in federal max.”
Ardian shouldn’t be calling the orders, but he’s right. He’s sensible, and he’s got a level head. I can’t think straight right now.
“Ardian’s right,” I say and put down my weapon, holding my hands up. “We surrender and figure this out together.”
The federal agents swarm the complex. Several more teams arrive, tearing through the building.
We’re forced onto the ground, our hands bound behind our backs until the federal agents determine who they’re after.
I’m just not sure which side they’re here to protect, the Russians or the Italians.
One of the FBI agents hoists me to my feet. She’s young and probably still early in her career.
“Antonio!” Aleksandra rushes past the FBI agents.
The female agent glances me over. “This is him? Antonio Moretti?” she asks.
“Yes, Agent Malone,” Aleksandra says.
Anger burns through me. “Agent Melinda Malone?” I repeat the name, remembering it from that business card I found upstairs.
“That’s correct,” she says. “You’re a tough man to find. Turn around.”
I do as she instructs, and she removes the handcuffs.
Aleksandra brought the feds to my house?
I want to be angry, to scold her for putting all our lives in jeopardy, but the agents aren’t arresting my men. They’re taking away the Russians in handcuffs—every one of them.
“Where are Sophia and Liam?” I’m relieved that Aleksandra is safe, but I need to see my kids. I need to know that they’re alive and well, unharmed, without a doubt.
“I’ll take you to them,” Agent Malone says, escorting Aleksandra and me outside.
It’s frigid outside, and neither of us is wearing a coat. I remove my blazer, draping it over Aleksandra’s shoulders as we are escorted to the FBI agent’s vehicle.
Several vehicles line the front lawn. From the back seat of each car, Russian Bratva has been apprehended. I’m relieved to see Mikhail handcuffed, but how long will he remain behind bars in prison?
Sophia has her nose pressed against the glass, watching the commotion. Liam is on his knees, watching from the back window.
Agent Malone unlocks the car, and I open the back door.
Aleksandra is right at my side. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Sophia and Liam climb out from the backseat with wide, curious eyes.
“What happened?” Liam asks.
“That’s a story for when you get older,” I say.