"I've got some prayer beads if you need them, Sergio." Chase nodded. "You know, just in case."

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair.

What was Tex doing?

And why was Phoenix okay with it?

h.e.l.l, even if I did end up dead, I'd be okay with the situation as long as it was handled in a way that protected the family. What a completely morbid thought.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX.

The Mafia by definition should say.

"Happy Endings die here."

Tex I HAD TO ADMIT, watching Sergio's s.h.i.t- eating grin fall from his face as he turned the color of a ghost was probably the highlight of my week, maybe even my month.

With a grunt I punched the bag harder. I needed a way to get out my aggression, and sitting at the table with Mo, pretending not to care when she was staring into her coffee like it held the secrets to the world? Hardest d.a.m.n thing I'd ever done.

d.a.m.n contract. I barreled my fist into the punching bag.

d.a.m.n Luca. Two roundhouse kicks.

Another punch.

Sweat was pouring down my face.

"Did you get the text?" Phoenix scared the h.e.l.l out of me as he walked into the weight room and held the bag. I continued punching.

"You mean the text with all the pictures?"

Phoenix nodded slowly.

"You know I have a good memory, man. Six of Alfonso's men are going to be dead by my hand come this Thursday."

"And the other fourteen?"

I paused, allowing myself to catch my breath before landing a right hook then a left to the bag. "They're all old."

Phoenix sighed. "Kind of the point, Tex."

I stopped punching and hung my head. "You're asking me to cleanse the old to make way for the new."

Phoenix released the bag. "How do you suck out poison? Fast or slow?"

"Why are we sucking poison?"

His eyes flashed. "Answer the question."

"Fast, you have to get as much out as you can otherwise the person loses time."

"So you shoot fast... you suck out the poison. The slower you go about it the more dangerous it becomes. Kill them all, Tex. Not one lives. That list, if it ever gets back to you, to me, to us?" he cursed and ran his hands through his hair. "It's almost like treason, you know?"

"Yeah." I chewed my lower lip.

"I'm well aware of what we're doing."

"That's why they can't know."

Phoenix grabbed the back with his hands. "Now hit."

Right, left, right, left, I hit until I was completely spent. Until sweat poured down my face into my eyes.

"Good." Phoenix stepped back.

"Some of the targets will be out tonight.

I'll text you the address. Watch them, memorize their movements, their mannerisms, even drunk they'll show you their tells. But don't let them see you."

"Got it."

"And Tex?"

Phoenix stopped halfway to the door.

"Yeah?" I wiped my face with a towel. "If I'm in the line of fire... I won't hate you... just know. I would never hate you. Rather I die than any one of those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds live."

I swallowed. "Phoenix... were they a part of it? I have to know."

"It's not a personal vendetta, Tex."

Phoenix swore and slammed the wall with his hand. "If it was I'd be the one doing the shooting. Just know... those men... they were with my father and with yours. If they don't die... that prost.i.tution ring stays open. If they don't die, those weapons keep coming up from Columbia. If they don't die, it will be our heads. They won't stop until they've hunted us all down."

"I wish there were another way."

Phoenix let out a large exhale.

"Don't we all?"

"One more thing."

"Dude..." Phoenix hung his head.

"I'm tired."

"What would you do?"

He turned, his eyes pensive. "What would I do?"

"If you knew you only had four days to live."

Red stained his cheeks before he cleared his throat and rocked back on his heels. "Whatever I'd miss the most, I'd do every d.a.m.n day until it was time."

"Even if it was twirling like a ballerina?" I joked.

"Right." Phoenix barked with laughter. "Especially if it was that, I could dance circles around you, don't make me prove it."

I held up my hands. "n.o.body needs to see that."

He chuckled.

"I'm glad you're not dead, man."

His face turned serious. "Say that after Thursday."

I was quiet as he left the room.

Only then did I whisper, "I will. I swear it."

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN.

And when you fall down... you pick yourself up... and try again.

Mo I WASN'T USED TO LYING to people that I loved. Usually I only lied to people I didn't know. Decision made, I gripped the knives in my hand and strapped them to the inside of my thigh. I slid my black knit dress over my head and grabbed my overathe-knee Chanel boots. They'd always had a bit of s.p.a.ce on the top so it was easy to sneak weapons. I'm sure clothes wh.o.r.es everywhere were proud of my accomplishment, slipping another two knives into the top, just in case.

I grabbed my black leather jacket and shrugged it over my shoulders, then cracked my neck.

My .45 was lying on the bed. With determination I pulled the gun into my hands and loaded it then pulled back the safety. I needed to be ready for anything.

Lastly, I looked in the mirror.

I didn't really recognize the girl staring back at me. She seemed afraid and I refused to feel afraid.

Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and focused on my own mission. If the guys were going to play blind to what was going on that left me and only me.

Regardless of where tonight led me, even if it meant I was stepping into my own grave, or maybe into the realization that Tex had never been mine to begin with? I'd at least have answers, I'd have peace knowing I had done every single thing I could in order to secure my happiness, my family's safety, and maybe even Tex's.

When my eyes opened.

I saw.

Me.

Mo Abandonato, twin to one of the most powerful mob bosses in the country, in love with the freaking G.o.dfather, daughter to a slain b.a.s.t.a.r.d and best friend to the De Langes, I popped my neck, the Alferos, and the Nicolasis. G.o.d help me.

I would do my job.

After all, a made man is made by his first few kills, by his ability to pull the trigger without hesitating.

I was finally at that moment.

And it felt good. It felt freeing to let go of all the drama, all the heartache, and focus in on the bigger picture.

The Commission and Tex's sudden shift, along with his and Phoenix's plans.

I sent a quick group text to everyone telling them I was going out for a run and opened my window, jumping out onto the gra.s.s with a small thud.

Tex was getting ready to leave, that much I was sure of. I'd lied to the girls about shooting, knowing I would miss my chance to tail him if I stayed.

I ran over to the black Mercedes and jumped in. It was newer, not familiar to Tex who always saw me drive the Range Rover, even though the Mercedes was actually my car.

I quickly pulled out of our lot and drove around back so n.o.body would see me, then inched through the gate and waited at the end of our property, by the cows.

Within minutes Tex sped by in the Range Rover, sungla.s.ses on and attention totally focused in on everything straight ahead.

I smiled as one more thing clicked into place. I'd been counting on him driving the Range Rover. My plans would have been totally shot had he not driven that car.

A moment of pure genius had washed over me as I realized that the same tracker stupid Phoenix had injected into me was amongst all the gear Nixon had in the gun room, as I liked to call it.

It was only too easy to slip one between the backseat of the SUV and download the app on my phone.

I waited a good five minutes before taking off.

And what do you know? Tex had stopped around fifteen miles later at a pretty upscale restaurant and bar called, Tapas.

I parked across the street a few cars back and waited. It was now or never and I had all the time in the world.

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT.