Page 45 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
"We’re already in a war.”
Niko sucks in a breath and downs his drink. "Before we do anything, we need more intel. We can't afford to fly blind."
"Understood." It’s important that I don’t forget my place, which I’ve come precariously close to doing.
“There’s something that has been bothering me,” Niko continues. “How did Giovanni get one on us?”
The three of us look at each other as we ponder the question.
“You think it’s someone in the Family?” I ask.
He nods.
“Then we do an internal sweep.” He’s right. Something was off about that night.
"Discreetly. Once we're certain of our own, we'll deal with Conti and anyone else who thinks they can lay claim to what's ours."
Has he just said Lucy was his? Under his protection? That could go a long way to protecting her.
“Why wait longer?” I ask. “If Giovanni was injured, as our intel told us, let's not wait until he’s better. “Let’s go after him.”
“It’s not like we haven’t been looking for him.” Niko’s lips twitch upward like he’s amused by me.
“No, but what better way to find him than to walk in and take what’s his?”
“Niko already did that with Elena.” Liam sits back and watches with an almost bored expression.
“I’m talking about his business. He can’t be in all places at once, especially if he’s healing. His New York business is the biggest, so he’s not going to be too far from that. Let’s go after his Jersey business, making him come out if he wants to keep it.”
“What if he doesn’t come out?”
“Then the Jersey business is yours. Or let me do it.”
Liam snickers. “Sounds like Donovan wants to go rogue and start his own Family.”
But Niko’s narrow eyes tell me he’s on board with my plan. “Do what you need to do.”
14
LUCIA
Today is an exciting day. Elena and I, along with Maria, are making a doctor’s visit to check on the babies. As we reach the landing in the penthouse, I see an army of Niko’s men at the ready.
“Something must be happening,” Elena murmurs next to me.
I nod in agreement as I scan the men, looking for Donovan. Not because I want to see him or because I’m worried about him. It’s because I hope I don’t see him. Something deep inside me says,Liar.
Niko enters the fray, his expression full of genuine love as he reaches out his hand to help Elena down the last few steps.
“How are you feeling,cara mia?”
“Excited.”
“I’m sorry I can’t go with you. I want to, you know that, right? But right now, things are tense. As it is, I wouldn’t let you go if there were any way possible to have the tests you need done here.”
She gives him a sweet smile. “I know. I understand. But you have to get this sorted, Niko, because you have to be there when the babies are born.”
“I will move heaven and earth to make that happen.”