As much as Remy wanted to know what had happened to Sergio, he didn’t have much time left.

  “Sergio, I need your help. I—”

  Sergio held a hand up. “Sorry, sweetheart. There’s nothing I can do. It’s out of my hands.”

  “But—”

  “Remy.” Sergio leaned forward. “Banetti isn’t fucking around. He knows you’re here, and the second you step foot outside, Gabriele is going to put a bullet in your skull.”

  “There has to be something I can do.”

  Sergio opened his mouth when a familiar voice spoke, sending an icy chill through Remy.

  “Well, well, well. Look at what we have here.”

  Remy lifted his gaze. Where the hell had Gabriele come from? The interesting part was that Gabriele’s attention wasn’t on Remy. It was on Sergio, who sat tense, hands balled into fists on his thighs.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Sergio snarled, his expression vicious.

  Gabriele was unfazed. He chuckled and took a sip of his drink. “Nothing,” he said. “See you soon, Remy.” He turned away, and to Remy’s utter disbelief, he slid his fingers up Sergio’s jaw. It wasn’t the gesture that surprised Remy. It was the slow, deliberate, intimate way he’d done it.

  Remy stared at Sergio, whose jaw was clenched so tight Remy was afraid he’d break something.

  “Are you and Gabriele—”

  “He’s an asshole,” Sergio ground out through his teeth. “Fucking asshole.”

  That didn’t really answer Remy’s question. Sergio wasn’t thrilled at seeing Gabriele, but he hadn’t done anything about it.

  “Sorry, kid. I can’t help you.” Sergio stood. He looked off in the direction Gabriele had gone, lips pressed together. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes briefly before giving Remy a sad look. “I really am sorry.”

  Then he turned in the opposite direction Gabriele had and disappeared into the crowd on the dance floor. Remy let his head fall into his hands. He’d known his life was in danger, that his story would likely end with him dead, but because of Dev, he’d also had hope. Now…after what Sergio had said, that hope had dwindled.

  “How about a deal?”

  Remy lifted his head and glared at Gabriele, who’d silently slipped onto the loveseat Sergio had vacated.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Ooh, so much attitude. Like a little yapping Chihuahua. I’m going to let that pass. Here’s the deal. It’s a one-time offer.”

  Remy had no intention of making any deals with this bastard, but he remained quiet and listened.

  “You come with me to see Mr. Banetti, and Dev gets to walk away.”

  Remy frowned. “Wait. I thought Banetti wanted me dead. He hired you to kill me. That’s why you’re here.”

  “There’s been a change of plans.”

  What the hell was going on? Remy sat back with a laugh. “Holy shit, and you expect me to just go with you? Are you for real?”

  Gabriele shrugged. “I don’t care one way or the other. Whether driving you to Banetti or shooting you in the head, I still get paid. The deal is, you come with me, and Banetti will let Dev walk away.”

  Remy frowned. “Banetti wouldn’t kill Dev anyway.”

  “No, but he can make Dev suffer over and over, torture him, defile him, break him, make him suffer until Dev begs for his death, and then we’re not killing him, simply giving him what he wants.”

  Bile rose in Remy’s throat. He had no illusion that Banetti could devise some horrific messed-up way to torture Dev. What could Banetti want with Remy other than to kill him?

  “Like I said. One time offer. You have the next ten seconds to decide.”

  “How do I know you’re telling the truth? That you’re not just trying to trick me into stepping outside with you, and the second I do, I’m dead.”

  Gabriele pursed his lips. “Good point.” He snapped his fingers. “How about I have Sergio drive you? You two seem quite friendly.”

  Something flashed in Gabriele’s eyes before it disappeared.

  “Why would Sergio do that? He doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

  “Because he does what I tell him,” Gabriele said, a wicked smile on his face. “And that includes getting on his knees for me.” He leaned in like he was going to tell Remy a secret. “He might not like me, but he sure does like it when I fuck him.”

  Remy blinked at him. “That…is more than I needed to know.”

  “Welcome to Old Defiance,” Gabriele said with a chuckle. He stood and buttoned his suit jacket, scanning the room until he spotted who he was looking for. His grin was evil as he raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Remy turned in his seat, his brows drawn together as Sergio headed their way. To say he looked pissed was an understatement of epic proportions.

  Sergio stopped in front of Gabriele, and they stood toe-to-toe, both men big and imposing.

  “I’m not your fucking servant.”

  “But you serve me so well,” Gabriele purred.

  Awkward.

  Remy looked from one man to the other. The whole thing would have been fascinating if Remy wasn’t in the middle of making one of the biggest decisions of his life.

  “What do you want?” Sergio growled.

  Gabriele’s smile was sinful. “There will be time enough for that later. Right now….” He turned his attention to Remy. “What’s it going to be?”

  “And if I say no?”

  “Then I’ll wait for you to leave the premises. I’ll shoot you. And then I’ll have some wine and take Sergio here into the back room so he can suck my dick.”

  Remy arched an eyebrow at him. “Really?”

  Gabriele laughed. “Come on. Look at his face.” He took hold of Sergio’s chin and squeezed his cheeks. “Such a grumpy bear.”

  Sergio smacked Gabriele’s hand away with a snarl, but that only seemed to amuse Gabriele.

  “What’s it going to be?” Gabriele asked Remy. “I have better things to do than wait for you to finish moping and decide.”

  What choice did he have? Every scenario had him screwed. If he said no, and Dev was somehow able to get Remy out of the hotel without getting killed, what then? Dev still had to get Remy to wherever, and he might be the best defensive driver in the city, but unless Dev transported him in an armored vehicle with bullet-proof windows, there was still a chance Remy would end up getting shot, and if he didn’t, he’d be leaving Dev here to face whatever Banetti had planned for him.

  “Okay.”

  Sergio snapped out of it and turned to Remy. “No, don’t do it.”

  Remy stood. “I have to. I can’t let Banetti hurt Dev. He never asked for this. I should have never gone back for my stupid check. Doesn’t matter now.” He moved his gaze to Gabriele. “Let’s go.”

  Gabriele almost looked surprised by Remy’s answer, but he didn’t reply. Instead, he motioned toward the elevator.

  The three of them got in the elevator and went up to the lobby. Before they left, Gabriele held his hand out to Remy.

  “Phone.”

  Reluctantly, Remy handed over the burner phone he’d received from the doctor. Gabriele slipped it into his suit jacket pocket and motioned for Remy to walk ahead of him as they left the hotel. The night air was cool against his skin. It was a beautiful night, all things considered.

  A huge black Suburban pulled up to the curb. Engine running, a valet jumped out and hurried around the front. Gabriele tipped him, then opened the back door for Remy who stood frozen, his heart in his throat.

  “Let’s get a move on,” Gabriele said.

  There was no going back now.

  Remy climbed into the backseat as Sergio hurried around to the driver’s side. His blood turned to ice when Gabriele slid into the backseat and closed the door.

  “What are you doing? You said Sergio would drive me.”

  “And he is,” Gabriele said nodding to Sergio in the front. “I never said I wouldn’t come along for the ride.”

  “Asshole,” Remy grumbled as he fastened his seatbelt. He ignored Gabriele’s amused chuckle. The guy had way too much fun for a killer.

  “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me where we’re going,” Remy said, looking out the window. They obviously didn’t care if he saw where they were taking him, which didn’t bode well.

  “What do you think?” Gabriele replied.

  Remy kept his attention focused out the window. Funny that his first tour of the city would come from a couple of killers driving him to his mostly-likely death. The farther they drove from the hotel, the seedier the scenery became. Wherever they were going, Remy knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

  They’d been driving for a while when Remy saw water in the distance. They were heading into what looked like some kind of shipyard or something, but instead of turning toward the docks, the Suburban turned down a street, heading for the beach. Where the hell were they going? As they drove down a darkened street with barely any lighting, Remy couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

  Remy had no idea the city had a seaside town. Not that it mattered because the entire thing was abandoned.

  “What happened here?” Remy asked, his voice quiet, as if speaking too loudly might wake up the dead.

  “Mob war,” Sergio replied as they slowly drove down the sandy street. “Two factions fought for control of the city back before Old Defiance was the hell it is now. One side decided they were going to win no matter the cost, so they burned homes and businesses, not caring who got in their way. They slaughtered each other, but not before the place was destroyed.”

  The buildings were falling apart, crumbling and rotting. The sidewalks, at least what remained of them, were covered in rubble, dirt, and sand. It looked apocalyptic, the empty black windows of the structures seeming to stare back, and Remy shivered. The Suburban crawled to a stop.

  Gabriele didn’t move. He waited for Sergio to get out and open Remy’s door before he climbed out and joined them. Remy stared up at the abandoned hotel, lights glowing up on the third floor. The faint hum of a generator came from somewhere on the property.

  This was where it all ended.

  NINE

  “Something’s not right,” Dev said as he paced the living room of the suite. “He’s been down there too long.” When Remy said he needed some time, Dev had figured a few minutes, half an hour tops. Dev hadn’t liked it, but he understood.

  “Maybe he’s having a drink with someone?”

  Dev spun on his heels to face Cat. “Really. You think he’s at the bar chatting with mobsters and assassins.”

  Cat shrugged. “Some of them are billionaires.”

  “Not helping.”

  “We need to put our plan together.” The longer they waited, the harder it was going to be. “I’m going downstairs.” He’d just reached the door when his phone rang. Who the hell was calling him? Cat was the only one with his number. Checking the screen, his heart jumped into his throat.

  Remy.

  Quickly, Dev answered. “Remy? Where the hell—”

  “Hello, Dev.”

  Not Remy. Banetti.

  “Where the hell is Remy?” Dev asked, blood turning to ice.

  “I just want to chat.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “So hostile. You know, you never should have left him alone.”

  No. No, no, no. Remy was supposed to be downstairs. “What are you talking about?” Dev shook his head. “He was safe. If you forced him outside, you’ll have to answer to him.”

  “I would if I had, but I didn’t. Remy left with Gabriele of his own free will.”

  “Bullshit. No way. Remy would never have chosen to leave with that asshole.”

  Banetti chuckled. “He would if it meant protecting you. So sweet.”

  This couldn’t be happening. Dev ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. “Where is he?”

  A shuffling sound came over the line and then a groan.

  “Dev?”

  Fuck. “Remy? Baby, are you okay?”

  “Dev, I’m so sorry. I’m—”

  Remy’s agonized scream filled the air, and a white heat of rage exploded through Dev.

  “You do need to keep better track of your boyfriend.”

  Dev was going to destroy him. “You son of a bitch.”

  “Now, is that any way to talk to your new employer?”

  “What?”

  “The thing is, I’m ready to step into a more prominent role in this city, but to do that, I’m going to need the right people around me, working for me. Now they can do so willingly, like Gabriele, or through…gentle persuasion, like Sergio. It got me thinking. Why kill Remy when I can use him to get the best Ferryman in the city? So, here’s the deal I’m making you. Agree to work for me, only me, and I won’t chop your boyfriend into bite-sized pieces and feed him to my hogs.”

  If Banetti continued to collect talent like he was, he would be unstoppable. Having a Ferryman on his payroll was dangerous. The whole point of the Ferrymen was their freedom. The ability to be impartial and only take the jobs they wanted with no one threatening them or holding anything over their heads. It also meant that their only job was transporting. Dev defended himself, but he didn’t kill, kidnap, or torture.

  “Make the right choice. You have until midnight. The old hotel near the docks.”

  The line went dead, and Dev hurried over to Cat. “Can you bring up the old hotel near the docks? I need to see my exits.”

  Cat tapped away at her keyboard. She spun the laptop so he could see the map. “This is bad. There’s only one road in and out. Dev….”

  “I don’t have a choice,” he said, grabbing his shoulder holster from the couch and slipping into it. Once he had it fastened in place he secured his Glocks and put on his suit jacket. Banetti was a smart man. He would be waiting for Dev with a shit-ton of firepower, including Gabriele.

  Cat hung her head, her sigh heavy. “What do you need?”

  “Everything.”

  “Okay.” She stood, determination in her eyes. “I’ll make a few calls. You’ll have backup by the time you get there.”

  Dev nodded and headed out.

  “Don’t get dead,” she called out.

  “That’s the plan.” He left the suite and got in the elevator. Outside he tipped the valet and climbed into his car, then took off, making a quick stop at one of his storage units to pick up some gear. Then, he sped down the street and took the on-ramp to the highway that would lead to where it all started for him. Midnight was a little over an hour from now, and the seaside town was roughly forty minutes away.

  When he’d washed up on the shore near the docks, he’d spent some time in one of the abandoned buildings in that very seaside town, and most of that time had been spent fighting death. Fever and infection almost killed him, but he’d survived somehow. A few of the displaced took pity on him, feeding him and nursing him back to health. When he’d gotten back on his feet, he’d made sure to repay them.

  Funny how those who had the least were often willing to give the most.

  The more he thought about Banetti and how he’d exploited Remy’s feelings for Dev, using him to get to Dev, the angrier he became. Dev didn’t regret driving off with Remy. He regretted not taking Remy up on his offer to go with him. Maybe they would have had Gabriele on their tail, but whatever they faced, they would have faced it together. Now Remy was in a pit filled with monsters.

  His car’s engine roared with fury as he floored the accelerator, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. He was going to get Remy out of there and kill every last one of those sons of bitches.

  Nearing the town, he shut off his lights and slowed, his car becoming one with the shadows as he drove silently down the sand and dirt-covered street toward the only building with lights in the windows.

  Taking a right, he drove into an empty store that was missing most of its front wall. Getting out, he walked around to the trunk and popped it open. He grabbed his ballistic vest, put it on over his shirt, then strapped his holster back on and shrugged into his jacket. He pulled out the ammunition belt, fastened it around his waist, then grabbed the black tactical backpack. He tucked another two Glocks into the back of his belt before stuffing a couple of grenades and smoke bombs into the bag, along with a mask to protect him from the smoke. Oh, and a huge roll of duct tape. Always useful. Maybe one more smoke bomb. He clipped that one to his belt.

  Just because he didn’t kill didn’t mean he didn’t know how to.

  Banetti wanted a war, and Dev was prepared to give it to him. He grabbed a pair of night vision goggles, a sniper rifle, and brass knuckles. Closing the trunk, he flung the strap of the sniper rifle across his chest and slipped the brass knuckles into his pocket. He placed the night vision goggles on his head and walked out of the abandoned store.

  Activating his earpiece, he peeked around the edge of the brick wall. Several armed guards were patrolling the property. He pulled down his goggles and turned them on.

  “Time to get to work.”

  Slipping out, he used the rubble of crumbled buildings and abandoned cars to get closer. Scanning the area, he spotted a taller building to the left of the hotel. His earpiece came to life, and Cat’s voice came through.

  “Six friendly mercs just arrived. They’ll be in gray camo.”

  “Thanks. Make sure they don’t shoot me.”

  “Then don’t get in the way of their bullets.”

  Dev snorted. “Man, I love you.”

  “Love you, too. Seventeen minutes on the clock.”

  “Copy that.” Dev moved his goggles back up onto his head and stood, looking through his sniper scope. The guards were making their rounds. One guy could sound the alarm if he spotted Dev. Pressing the trigger, the guy crumbled to the ground.

  Dev took off across the street. He ran up the derelict stairs, his heart pumping and adrenaline taking over as he made his way up to the roof. Once up there, he ran to the edge and set up his rifle.

  “I’m in position.” He looked through the scope, scanning each floor one by one. “Five hostiles on the ground floor. Three on the second. Four on the third in the hall.” As he moved his scope, the number of guards tripled, and he clenched his jaw when he spotted Banetti, Gabriele, and another large man reflected in the mirror on the far wall. Remy sat tied to a chair in the middle of the room, his face bloodied.