“I also confirmed Diez is dirty. It just took me calling in an old favor. He’s been in bed with Rojas for years.”

  As I’d anticipated.

  “Fuck. Why didn’t we see it? He’s using the diamonds as decoys,” I said almost wistfully.

  Kostya laughed. “Diez and Rojas played enemies to elude the various law enforcement agencies. They had an underground deal, crates of diamonds used as cover. No one suspected given their open battles.”

  “It would seem Diez enjoys playing games. Why purchase the guns from my organization?”

  “Arrogance. As I told you, the man is a real pig. He enjoys torture as a weekend activity.”

  “He was testing the waters, determining how tight our security was,” I countered.

  “Another educated guess is that he was planning on a quick and dirty theft but didn’t plan on you being there. That would damage our reputation.”

  “Only if they took over New York. Diez on the move?”

  “Can’t say. He went MIA over a day ago. Too many planes and ships leaving to determine if he’s on one of them,” Kostya said through gritted teeth. “However, with the amount of increased activity, it’s only a matter of time.”

  “Then we need to be ready.”

  “We, nothing. I did what you asked me to do. I’m out.”

  Now I laughed. “The money will be wired to your account this evening.” I opened the door, wondering how in the hell I was going to tell Giada about her father. There were too many possibilities that something could go wrong.

  “I didn’t locate the informant, although I have suspicions.”

  “You earned your money. Take it.”

  “Perhaps we’ll do business again. One more thing. Vincheti’s condition doesn’t look good. He’s in Stony Brook University Hospital. Someone took him out when he was driving home from meeting with the senator. Imagine that. Something else for you to consider.”

  Yeah, imagine.

  I kept the door open for a few seconds before slamming it shut. There was no need to reply. As soon as I’d walked around the car, Kostya revved the engine, racing out of the parking lot. As I headed toward the awaiting SUV, I still hadn’t made a determination of how to handle the wealth of information, let alone what to do about her father.

  The news changed my entire plan. Of course, she would demand to see her father. However I played this, her brothers would know she was in town. Still, they certainly wouldn’t be stupid enough to risk her safety by spreading the news. The fuckers better keep their mouths shut. This was a volatile situation with no easy way out. Maybe Vincheti had promised more than just allegiance to Rojas or Diez.

  Or both.

  “Vincheti, what are you up to?” I said out loud as I headed for the other vehicles. I was pissed, so much so I would kill the man myself for placing his daughter in harm’s way. I dialed my father’s number, my head aching like a son of a bitch.

  “I suppose you’ve heard,” I said, pacing back and forth beside the SUV.

  “Enough to be pissed. What the fuck is going on down there?” he demanded.

  Down there meant where I had control. “This is all about Cesare Vincheti. Gather the damn family. We need to plan our next move.”

  “Vincheti. That asshole?”

  “Let’s just say I think he betrayed you. No, he betrayed all of us, including his own daughter.”

  I shoved the phone inside my pocket, enraged to the point I wasn’t certain I could control my anger. I could feel her eyes staring at me, imploring me to share every aspect of my life with her. It would be impossible to keep her protected from the shit we were both going to face. Time was running out. Depending on when Diez had left South America, he could be fully operational in the morning.

  Fuck. Fuck!

  I eased into the seat. Tonight I didn’t love my job.

  “Where to, boss?” Sanchez asked from the front seat.

  “Just hold on a minute.” I shifted until I was able to look Giada in the eyes. The moment I took her hand into mine, she yanked it away.

  “Something happened. Didn’t it?” Her voice held fear. There was little I could do to sugarcoat the news.

  “Your father was shot.”

  “What?” Her gasp was filled with anguish. “What did you say?”

  “I don’t know the details other than he’s in serious condition. He’s alive; that’s the important thing.”

  “Who did this?”

  “If my sources are correct, the Colombians.”

  “Just like you suspected. They’re coming into New York.”

  I nodded, able to cup her face and she didn’t pull away. “We’ll get through this.”

  “My father. You’re going to take me to the hospital,” Giada demanded.

  I shook my head. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “That’s my father, Sevastian. It might be the last time I get to see him. If you don’t take me, I swear to God I’ll find a way to get there.” While she was distraught, I sensed anger as well as confusion, her fury directed toward her father.

  I stared at her, debating the odds. At some point, either Rojas or Diez would make an attempt at finishing what they’d started, but the hospital would be completely on lockdown. That much I knew about how Vincheti operated. She’d be safe for a short duration. “I’ll grant you this, but only for twenty minutes. Sanchez and another guard will be there with you. Sanchez?”

  “Yes, boss?”

  “You’re taking Ms. Vincheti for a short visit to see her father. You protect her with your goddamn life. Everyone needs to be cleared out of the area before she can see him.”

  “Including the rest of my family?” she snapped.

  “That’s the only way I’m going to allow this to happen. Too many targets.” I had to consider the possibility that Vincheti had double-crossed our family, by being the one to issue the invitation. I also had to believe they’d make an attempt to keep her away from me.

  That wasn’t going to happen.

  She was mine. For now. Forever.

  “You got it, boss,” he said.

  “You still think my family is an enemy,” she said, although there was no surprise on anger in her tone.

  “I think that both families are facing a potential crisis.”

  “The Colombians want to take over.”

  Nodding, I took a deep breath. “Exactly. It is vital that you follow my rules. No infractions. There’s too much at stake, Giada, and you’re going to need to trust me with your life at this point. Nothing can happen to you. Nothing.”

  She lifted her pretty head, her eyes as full of fire as the first time I’d met her so long before. “I do trust you but remember trust is difficult for me. Please keep your promise.”

  I lowered my head, pressing my lips against hers. “I’ll do everything in my power, my printsessa. I’ll meet you at our temporary house in a couple hours.” Hell, I’d walk through fire at this point in order to keep her safe. “Here is a phone for you to use. It has my number programmed into it. If anything happens, call me. Will you also promise me that?”

  “Yes, of course. Please be careful, Sevastian. I don’t want anything to happen to you either. Light and darkness. Never forget that.”

  I’d heard her whispered words of love likely in reply to my own during our last night of passion. Why I’d resorted to saying them in Russian I wasn’t certain, but it had felt right. While I didn’t want to leave her side for even an hour, my family needed notification.

  And a possible shift in plans.

  After giving Sanchez the name of the hospital, I moved onto the tarmac, everything Kostya had told me churning with the other information I’d learned. The Colombians and the DEA were preparing takeovers. Fuck both of them. One problem at a time. First, getting the goddamn South Americans out of my country. And the next? Hunting down the informant. The upcoming few days should prove to be interesting.

  And deadly.

  CHAPTER 18

  Giada

  Hospitals.

  I hated them.

  Especially in the middle of the night. Visiting hours had ceased, but that wasn’t going to stop me from seeing my father.

  Hospitals were impersonal and cold, and to me they meant death, not life.

  Tonight was no exception.

  The two beefy soldiers had acted as if an assassin was waiting behind every bush, bustling me into the hospital through the back, remaining by my side as we headed to the third floor. At least Sanchez had tried to assure me that Stony Brook was an excellent facility and that my father was in good hands.

  “Giada!” my mother called as soon as she noticed me. “Are you okay?”

  I threw my arms around her, Isabella crowding close behind. All four brothers remained in the corridor, their grim expressions providing a summation of how my father was doing.

  “I’m fine,” I said, moving to hug my sister. “How is Dad?”

  “Touch and go. He was shot in the chest. A couple more inches and the asshole would have taken out his heart. At least the surgery went well,” Valentin stated, his eyes shifting to my bodyguards. “Why are they here?”

  “We’re here to escort Ms. Vincheti. You need to leave the area,” Sanchez stated as he moved closer to my family.

  “Like hell!” Niccolo huffed. “We’re not going anywhere.” My hotheaded brother was more distraught than the others.

  “What the hell is going on, Giada? You didn’t call. Your entire family was worried after the fire,” Salvatore threw out. While I truly adored all my brothers, I couldn’t handle their typical bravado tonight.

  My nerves were frazzled, the whirlwind of the last few days leaving me exhausted, my anxiety high.

  “I don’t have time to explain to any of you. I came here to see Dad, and the only way I can do that is if you wait in the visitor area.” Jesus. They all stared at me.

  “Let Giada see her father,” my mother insisted then squeezed me on the arm. “He’s been asking for her since he got here. I cleared it with his doctor. I knew you’d come home after you heard.”

  That was interesting. What was so important my father needed to see me? I thought about what little Sevastian had told me. There was no doubt that he’d left out an entire portion, but I’d learned enough to realize he was concerned. My father was in the middle of this new potential war. I felt it in my gut, and I needed the truth. While I did care about my father’s welfare, I remained livid. No one was ever going to treat me like a doormat to be walked on again.

  Including my own goddamn family.

  I made certain I seemed sad to hide the anger and anxiety. I was on pins and needles, already worried about Sevastian. I’d never seen such rage within him, a quiet anger that was festering into an explosion.

  “Honey, you can’t stay very long. His visitation is limited, but you need a chance to see him,” my mother said, still carrying her motherly tone more for the benefit of the others.

  Valentin continued his harsh glare toward Sanchez before I pushed my hand against my brother’s chest.

  “It’ll be okay,” I muttered, although I knew it wouldn’t be, at least not emotionally.

  At least my brother turned away without issuing a threat, following my other family members down the hall. When he looked back, the fact I couldn’t read his expression was another irritant.

  “Just a few minutes,” Sanchez stated. “Sevastian was clear.”

  “I know the rules.” Rules kept us alive. Sevastian had made the statement but so had my father. Right now, all I could think about was that nobody followed the rules of humanity or Christianity any longer. It was all dog eat dog. It was past time I handled myself the same way.

  As I walked into the room, I was struck by all the machines, my mouth going dry. Valentin had been in a hospital room just like this a few years before. A gunshot. Another situation where I hadn’t been allowed to know any details.

  After a few seconds, I walked closer, my heart hammering against my chest. Seeing him this way was like a knife being driven into my heart, but it didn’t take away the fury. I could swear he’d aged by several years.

  Inhaling, I moved closer, studying him before taking his hand into mine. “I’m here, Papa. I know you wanted to talk to me. I’m okay.” All I could do was pray that he was cognizant enough to provide something, anything that could help.

  I closed my eyes, making the sign of the cross and saying a heartfelt prayer. While my faith wasn’t as strong as my mother’s, the silent prayer allowed me some comfort. He remained unconscious, but his breathing was more rapid. I had to try to get through to him. “What happened, Papa? Who threatened you? What kind of horrible deal did you make?”

  The beeping sounds kept shivers coursing through my body. I squeezed his hand, worried time was running out. “I need to leave, Papa, but I hope you can hear me. You were shot. The Colombians? Are they out to take over the city? Did you make a deal with them because of your hatred for the Kozlov family?” My tone was terse, but it was impossible to tamp it back.

  After waiting another few seconds, I started to pull my hand away. Damn it. He grasped it tightly, more so than I thought he could manage. When he started to pull my arm, I was shocked to see his eyes were wide open, clear as if nothing had happened.

  “You did hear me. You know exactly what I said. Talk to me.” I leaned in closer.

  “Just listen to me,” he whispered, his throat hoarse from the experience.

  “I’m right here.”

  “I’m sorry. You need to know that.” He took several deep breaths before continuing, the sounds labored. “I exchanged one blood contract with another.”

  Blood contract? “Contract? With the Kozlovs? Who else?” Did that mean my father had offered me to someone else? The Colombians. A tight grip wrapped around my throat. I knew about their reputation, their disregard for women. It couldn’t be possible. That was crazy.

  He nodded weakly. “It was a lie, but it… backfired. Rojas wanted everything, not a… partnership. Then he fucked me. When you almost died… I just… I went ballistic, started killing them. Everything got out of hand.”

  Oh, my God. I closed my eyes, trying to remain calm.

  “What are they planning?”

  “Killing the Kozlov family, but more. So much more.”

  “What else, Papa? What contract are you referring to?”

  “You. They’ll hurt you. Take you. Never wanted you hurt,” he struggled to say, his voice getting softer. “Go. He’ll… keep… you… safe. Sevastian would die for you.”

  Oh, my God. This was crazy. The bastard had used me as a pawn in a terrible game of retaliation. I was sick at my stomach, barely able to keep control of my emotions. I had to talk to Sevastian.

  “Why? Why did you do this?” I heard the utter demand in my shaking voice. “You sold me to someone else?”

  I couldn’t stop the tears or the horror that shifted into my system.

  “Not intentionally. A lie.”

  I backed away, trying desperately to catch my breath. Were my brothers in on this? Was this all some horrible conspiracy? Get someone else to kill Sevastian. Hell, may a few other Kozlov family members.

  “Sevastian will kill you for this, Father.” I backed away, the horror of what he’d done smashing into my mind, my system. Everything.

  “Listen.”

  “I’m not listening any longer.” The fucking monitors were beeping as his heartrate went up. What the hell did I care?

  “No, tell Sevastian.”

  “Tell him what, that you sold me a second time? That will go over well.”

  God! I wanted to hate him, to toss him out of my life, but as I noticed the tears in his eyes, I couldn’t feel anything else but love.

  “Listen. DEA,” he muttered, his eyes briefly closing. “Donahue.”

  It was only a matter of time before a nurse came rushing into the room. “What are you trying to tell me?”

  He was rambling, obviously under the influence of drugs. What did the senator have to do with this?

  “Talk to me!” I demanded, moving closer once again, determined to get the truth out of him.

  His eyes snapped open again. “Donahue is a sick man. I had him under control.” I knew that code well enough. Whatever my father had on the senator preempted his disgust for the man. Even I knew blackmail with a politician or member of law enforcement had its benefits.

  “What does this have to do with anything?” Damn it. He had to keep going.

  “Agent. Inside. Bratva.”

  Nothing was making any sense.

  Then I realized what he was doing, making a peace offering to Sevastian. He knew who the agent was inside the Bratva organization. I leaned over. “Tell me the man’s name. Tell me!”

  The beeping increased, other noises going off.

  When he whispered the name, I had to think about what he was saying.

  Suddenly, the door was thrown open, several nurses rushing inside.

  “Miss, you’re going to need to move. Please move!”

  I backed away, barely registering what was happening, every sound an extreme echo. He’d played a vicious game of Russian roulette and lost.

  Barely able to breathe, I managed to stumble out of the room as another group of medical professionals rushed toward my father’s room. I continued backing away from them, unable to think clearly. I needed air. Water. Something. I turned and fled, racing into the stairwell. I wanted to get as far away as possible.

  I bolted out, searching for a bathroom. Some private time. As I ran, still searching, I pulled out my phone, pressing his number.

  “Come on. Come on.”

  When it went to voicemail, I almost screamed. As soon as I heard the beep, I started rambling everything my father had told me, including the name of the undercover agent. After I finished the call, I reached for the water faucet, unable to stop shaking.

  Get a grip.

  Breathe.

  This wasn’t happening. It just couldn’t be. After splashing my face with water several times, I finally glanced into the mirror. Oh, hell, no, I wasn’t going to fall apart. Maybe in some demented way my father had thought he was protecting me.