Page 116 of Never Say Never

The threat was unmistakable, there was no flowery facade that it wasn't what it was. I nodded. "Yes, and if it comes down to it, then it's best you put a bullet in my head. I’m not going to let anyone hurt them. No one," I emphasized.

We stared at each other for another moment, neither of us speaking as the tension thickened. If it was about York and the girls, I wasn't going to let anyone touch them. Not even my family.

"How many people are we going to need?" Benito asked, breaking the moment of silence.

I sent him the address. “It’s on the edge of the Acetos’ territory, but it was empty before. We’re going to need more than a few bodies. Clearing out those warehouses is one thing. But they are hiding out here on purpose; they are probably more armed and ready for an attack."

"That, and the Acetos won't be getting involved after the blow we handed them." Benito had a crazed grin on his face. He was probably reminiscing about everything we'd done, the blood shed and dead bodies we'd piled up.

I'd lost count of how many lives each of us took. If York ever found out, he'd probably try and run. I'd be forced to cut both of his achilles tendons, making sure he never got far.

Harlow punched Benito where he'd stabbed him with a fork. "Still pissed that you left me out."

Benito calmed his husband down as I took a step back. I checked the cameras. Everything was still quiet at the apartment. "We have to do it tonight, the FBI will be conducting a raid tomorrow."

"Two nights in a row? Shit, Paolo."

"I know it's risky. There are already reports hitting the headlines."

"They are attempting to pin it on the Vitale name," Benito reminded me.

"If we don't go tonight, then I'll go alone."

"Don't be fucking stupid." Benito moved toward me, placing his tattooed hand on my shoulder. "If you go, we all go. Better call in a few favors."

I blew out a sigh as the tension spilled out of me. I would have gone alone if I’d had to. No matter what, I wasn't going to let York put himself in harm's way. Even if I had to take on a few more kills. My soul was black, and I was destined for hell, if there was one. York, on the other hand, meant everything to me. Without him, life would be meaningless. I never wanted to experience it and I planned to never have to.

"Okay."

"Meet back up in twenty," Benito said.

Harlow smiled. "I'm going. I already texted the nanny. She will be here in ten. Like fuck if I’m missing this."

Benito didn't argue with his husband, pulling him close. "Of course not, mostrico, I can't wait to see you covered in blood."

Seeing them together made me think of my man, still in bed, passed out from our fuck session. I'd lost my mind a bit but that was always the case anytime I got to have York. He made my mind numb and my body alive with electricity. I had my phone in hand again and checked the camera feed. The one in my room showed York curled around my pillow and the sheets resting low on his hips. All his dark brown flesh was on display, begging for me to come back and touch. Desire pooled in the middle of my body, making me have second thoughts on my plans for the night.

I checked the other feeds, making sure everything was okay, when I froze on the spot. In the kitchen, Shelly had a wooden spoon in her hand and waved it at the girls. Navy flinched with every jerky movement. Nyra stood next to her, eyes watering.

"I'll be right back." I turned on my heels without another word and practically ran to the elevator, my phone in a death grip. I hit the button on the side trying to turn it up as loud as possible.

"You two have been getting out of control. There is no reason to be running out of here and playing with those men."

"But Paolo said it?—"

Shelly hit the counter, and I missed what she said, but both girls started crying. Fuck this. I did my best to treat her like a human being but I drew the lines at threatening my girls.

She's dead.

I couldn't focus enough to see what else she was saying to them. My blood rushed as anger rolled through me like a tsunami. The elevator doors opened on my floor and I rushed through them before they could open fully. There were an additional four men outside my door. Each of them nodded at me as I headed for the apartment. I couldn't get the code in fast enough, my fingers fumbling the first try before I got it right. The soft click was all I needed as I entered and went straight to the kitchen.

"Have you lost your goddamn mind?" I growled.

The twins turned to look at me, tears streaked their puffy cheeks. Navy wiped at them but Nyra instantly ran toward me and dragged her sister along with her.

"Girls!" Shelly shrieked.

"Don't talk to my kids." If it wasn't for the girls being in the room, I'd pull my gun out and kill her.