“It does to me, since that was the day I became...” Luca heaved in a deep breath. “I need to know.”
“There’s truth in the belief that man's best friend is the bottlenose dolphin.” Jared shrugged but his gaze remained sharp. “A large pod arrived as the boat moved away. Half of them swam in circles around me while the others attacked the three sharks. No one was more surprised than me when they succeeded.” He smirked. “I started swimming in the direction of the island. They stayed with me until a fishing trawler plucked me out of the water two hours later. I never would’ve made it to shore.”
“God, I can’t believe it.” Luca’s mind had become sluggish. He couldn’t comprehend that his beloved brother had survived the cruelty of their father. Least of all that their first meeting was under circumstances that had them on opposite sides of the law.
Shouts outside the door drew their attention.
“It would give me immense pleasure to put a couple of caps in your fat ass. Go ahead, punk. Give me a reason.” Brock’s deep voice floated toward them.
Paxton swiveled as the door opened, drawing back her fist in preparation to deliver a killing blow. She pulled back just in time as she recognized Tanner.
“Whoa, I’m on your side,” he grunted as he looked around. His gaze darkened as he noticed Kezlin cuffed to the bed. “Need help, Commander?”
“Sitrep, Tanner,” Jared said in a clipped voice.
“There’s no sign of Conti or Matias and Olivia Lopez. Cruz is doing a headcount and comparing it to the list of arrivals we have. If we can’t prove they were here, Hannah Conti is going to have to explain why a party with underaged girls and pedophiles was hosted on her property. Three members of The Commission are in custody but this goon spawn’s father, Marco, and Diego Rossi aren’t among them.”
“Jordan confirmed all five Commission leaders arrived earlier,” Paxton said. She glared at Luca.
“Don’t ask me how but the bastards managed to get away,” Brock said as he joined them.
“Of course they did,” Jared rumbled darkly. “Get those cuffs off my sister, Tanner.”
“Sister?” Luca started. He was surprised at the bitterness he felt eating him. He had missed his brother for thirty-five years, while he found a new family.
“I can walk,” Kezlin protested when Tanner plucked her up from the bed.
“I’m sure you can but I’m carrying you downstairs, anyway.” Tanner ignored her struggles, tightening his hold on her as he walked toward the door.
Jared took her hand in passing. His eyes glinted angrily as he noticed the bruises on her arms and legs. It was clear that she had given them hell. “Are you okay, Kez?”
“Yeah. I’m okay. These bunch of Marys are rank amateurs. Fucking clueless. Besides, I knew you and Paxton would get to me in time.”
His eyes glowed at the thought of what could’ve happened if they hadn’t found a way to be on the inside. “Make sure she gets a full medical, Tanner.”
“Will do.”
Jared’s eyes returned to Luca who watched him with a storm brewing in his eyes.
“So, you got yourself a new family.”
Jared was amused at the hurt look in Luca’s eyes. “C’mon, Luca. You might’ve mourned the death of your big brother as a child but from what I’ve seen over the years, it didn’t prevent you from turning into a mirror image of Marco Boneiro.”
“Does she know?” Luca took a step closer. “Your little sis,” he sneered. “Does she know you’re the spawn of a Mafia Don?” He cackled a laugh. “Ah, I see she doesn’t. You might be called Commander and serve the supposed greater good but one thing you can’t change is your DNA.” He leaned closer and spat with malevolence, “The blood running through your veins is the same as mine. That will never change. You arenobetter than me. Deep down, your heart is just as black as mine. You are and always will be... Angelo Boneiro.”
“I’m nothing like you, Luca.”
“Ugh.” The right cross was thrown with explosive power, crushing Luca’s already damaged nose like a fault, and knocking him unconscious. Luca might be his brother but he was going to pay for the crimes that littered his path— and he was going to hand Jared the one man he was after— the one who deserved his wrath.
His own father, Marco Boneiro.
He watched dispassionately as they carried the limp body of his brother from the room. His gaze was hijacked by another pair of eyes.
“You’re wearing colored contacts.” He knew he was stating the obvious but he needed time to bury the emotions that had surged to the surface the moment he’d come face-to-face with Luca.
“Part of the disguise.” She picked up the blonde wig Luca had flung to the floor. “Along with this.”
“What are you doing here, Paxton?”