22. Immunity

Chapter 22

Immunity

I t's amazing how quickly love can turn into hate.

When I was a little girl, I loved snow. It was so white, so clean, so full of hope and joy. Snow was gentle.

It would catch me when I'd fall.

But as I grew up, I learned that snow was not always gentle. I learned that snow never stayed white for very long. It would get dirty.

Filthy .

Eventually, snow would turn into a tainted slush. And sometimes, it would become ice.

Hard. Cold. Deadly.

I fell on ice once. It didn't catch me. It didn't break my fall. No. It broke me.

I've hated snow ever since.

People are like snow.

Everyone in my life is a snowflake. Beautiful at first but they always turn ugly. Hideous. Some people show their true colors sooner than others. Like Leo, who left. Like Hayden, who lied. And like my father, my own flesh and blood, who committed the worst crime of all.

He betrayed me. He manipulated me. He turned me into a fucking monster. He did that. He did that with his words.

With his promise of revenge.

I stare at the clock in Hayden's office, muffled conversation flowing in and out my ringing ears as I remember the day my father visited me in the hospital a couple of weeks after Daniel died. Leo was right. I think I wanted to die too. I was close. My heart stopped that night. It might have stopped again if not for his words. My father's words. His words revived me.

I was reborn.

"We will kill every one of them, bambina. We will rise up and become the most powerful family. A family that no one would think of fucking with ever again." He looks at me, dead in the eyes, and says, "One day, Camilla, this will all be yours. And you alone will make El Castro suffer for taking the life of your dear Daniel." He holds my hand and gives it a squeeze. "You are a Bianco, and you will get your revenge."

My gaze floats from the ticking clock to the bank statements spread out on Hayden's coffee table. Wire transfers to an offshore account. Mere days before the wedding. Fifty thousand dollars. That's how much Daniel was worth. A measly 50k. That's how worthless he was to my father. It's offensive. We pay more for no ones. Daniel wasn't a no one.

He was snow that never turned black.

I think my father knew that. He must have seen Daniel's heart. He knew. I don't know how he knew, but he did. He knew I was going to leave. That I was going to run. He made sure I didn't. In hindsight, it makes sense. He played the long game. Welcomed Daniel with open arms. Supported our relationship. Gave me dating advice. And then, just as he planned, he created ice from snow. And I fell, only to have him pick me up. Be my savior. My lifeline. He offered me a new purpose. And I took it.

Right out of his traitorous fucking hands.

Dad might have created a snowstorm but me? I'm going to make it rain fucking ice .

I grit my teeth, tuning back into reality as I skim the room and take in the faces of the people who will help me get the revenge my father spoke so highly of.

Pamela Scott, Assistant United States Attorney. The woman needs some night cream, but she's got a fighter stance. Hardeep Deol, Assistant District Attorney. He has kind eyes, but the man's put more gangs out of business than anyone else in the tri-state area. Phillip Cowry, FBI. Hayden's boss. He actually does look frightening. He's clearly seen some shit in his days.

And then there's the doc.

I swallow when our eyes meet. He gives me a weak smile and runs a hand through his thick hair. It's silky. I know that. I can feel the softness on my fingertips. Soft like snow. I clench my fist, yanking my longing gaze away. It shouldn't feel soft. Not anymore. It can't.

"Miss Bianco," Pamela begins, taking a seat around the coffee table. She places a recording device on the table and flips open a notebook. "We are very pleased that you've decided to assist in our investigation. As discussed with Agent Malcolm, we are prepared to offer you complete immunity for the successful prosecution of The Angels." She nods at Hardeep who pulls out a stack of documents from his briefcase. "This paperwork will?—"

"I need immunity for three," I state in a firm tone. "That's non-negotiable."

"Three?" Agent Cowry raises a bushy grey brow, his forehead wrinkling as he glances at Hayden. "Do you know anything about this?"

Hayden shoots me a puzzled side-eye. "No, I wasn't aware Miss Bianco had caveats when she agreed to?—"

"I do," I say, crossing my arms, my foot anxiously tapping. "I want immunity for myself, as well as Zoella and Leonardo Di Rossi." I blink at the government pawns. "Will that be a problem?"

Unease stirs in the air as stares and silent words are exchanged between the four. If they want my help, they're going to have to play ball.

I didn't sleep last night. I couldn't. I stayed awake and I thought about Hayden's offer. Immunity for the takedown of The Angels. I said I needed proof. And he gave it to me. Clear as day. Irrefutable evidence that my father hired a hitman. The Council must have known. Fifty thousand isn't a large sum, but it's from the corporate account. They all need to sign off. They all knew. They were all in on it. They are all guilty.

Except for Zoey.

And unfortunately, Leo. He wasn't a council member. Too young. Too unreliable. Too fucking aloof. But he took a bullet for me. Thinking back, I don't think that bullet was ever supposed to hit me. Just scare me. Regardless, I always pay my debt.

"Unfortunately, Miss Bianco, that will not be possible," Pamela finally breaks the awkward silence. She clears her throat and glances briefly at Agent Cowry. "This is our final offer."

"Really?" I lean back into the sofa and tilt my head, giving her a smile. "Because I think you're lying. I think you need me. I think you need me because all you guys have is—" I shrug, "—circumstantial evidence? Right? And we all know that doesn't do jack shit in court." I let out a breath. "So, let's try this again. Immunity for three. Yes?"

"It was hard enough negotiating approval for one member." Hardeep gives Hayden a hardened glare. I narrow my eyes at Hayden who turns away. Hmm . "There's simply no way to add two more of your associates to that list. Simply no way."

Despite all my father's shortcomings, he taught me one very important lesson. When there's a will, there is always a fucking way. The options in front of me are not viable. They're giving me two cards to choose from. Only two. The thing is, there are always more cards. It's just a matter of pulling them out of your pocket and putting them in play.

Sweeten the pot with something they can't turn down.

"Fine," I grin, the gears whirring in my head. Three birds. One stone. "I have a counter offer."

"A counteroffer?" Pamela asks, giving me a speculative look. "We are not here to negotiate with you, Miss Bianco. We are?—"

"Wei Zhao," I say flatly, which garners stiffened postures from the agents. Oh yes, I can taste the honey. "And..." I trail off, teasing my new friends as a pride-infested smile spreads across my face. Hayden shakes his head subtly in disapproval, knowing where I'm heading. As if he cares. "And Malik Alba."

"The Dragons?" Pamela asks, eyes wide as she damn near falls out of her seat. " And Almuluk?"

Pamela whips her head toward Hardeep and Phillip who are both attempting to remain stoic. It's pointless. They know just as well I do that if they took down two of New York's most prominent gangs, plus an international gun lord, they'd probably go down in FBI history.

Villains aren't the only ones who crave notoriety. Heroes are just as thirsty.

"Well?" I raise a brow. "Do we have a deal?"

"To be clear," Pamela says in a hesitant tone. "In exchange for immunity for yourself, Zoella Di Rossi, and Leonardo Di Rossi, you will assist in prosecuting The Dragons and Almuluk?"

"Yes."

"We will need more than personnel and paper facts, Miss Bianco," Hardeep chimes in. "As you said, circumstantial evidence is not enough."

I smirk. "Who said anything about circumstantial?"

"Camilla," Hayden whispers beside me. "Maybe?—"

"There's a deal going down in a few weeks," I say. "You'll have everything you need. Guns, drugs, and money." I smile around the room. "Would that be sufficient evidence for prosecution?"

"A deal?" Phillip asks. "Between The Angels, The Dragons, and Almuluk?" He gives me a perplexed look. "I don't understand."

"Let's just say..." I hum, chewing my bottom lip. Guess we're partnering with The Dragons. Problem solved. For now. "There's a new fusion restaurant opening up in New York City. Chinese Italian. I think it's going to be a big hit, no?"

"The Angels...have an alliance with the..." Pamela blinks. "The Dragons? Since when?"

I cast her a tight-lipped smile. "Draft new documents and I'll tell you everything."

Pamela sighs, clicking her tongue as she stands up. "ADA Deol and I will need some time, Miss Bianco. This is...unexpected."

"Yeah, well, I like to break stereotypes," I say, stretching as I stand up. "Glass ceilings and shit, you know?"

"Right," Pamela says with a wry smile. "We'll have new documents drafted in a couple of days. We'll courier them to Agent Malcolm when ready."

"What? You're not going to hand deliver them to me?" I joke. "I basically just paid for your summer vacation."

"Agent Malcolm will be your main point of contact from here on out," Phillip says as he follows the lawyers to the front door. He pauses, looking down at me. "The US Government is grateful for your cooperation, Miss Bianco, but you must understand what you're offering comes with a warning label. These aren't random street gangs that you're selling out." He lowers his voice. "Are you certain you're willing to risk your life for that of your friends?"

"Agent Cowry," I say, placing a hand on his cheek. He gives me a skeptical look as Hayden stiffens beside me. "I don't have friends. I have debt." I pull away. "And I always pay my debt."

Phillip nods in understanding as he looks at Hayden. "We'll take the back exit out. I'll be in touch soon. In the meantime, please debrief Miss Bianco on the protocol."

"Certainly, sir," Hayden states as he walks Phillip, Hardeep, and Pamela out of his office. I glance at Heather's empty desk. I suppose he doesn't need a receptionist anymore. I sigh, a tinge of deflation stewing in my gut. Mission complete. Once his associates are down the hall, Hayden slams the front door of his office shut, startling me. His eyes widen with anger. "Are you a fucking idiot?"

Taken aback, my jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

"The Dragons? Almuluk?" He storms toward me, steam blowing from his ears as he backs me up against the wall. "Do you have a death wish, Camilla? Why couldn't you have taken the deal? Information for immunity! It was easy! And now?" He glares down at me, his hot breath blowing into my fucking mouth. "Why must you be so difficult?"

My chest rises, my breathing heavy, heady, and hungry as I look up at him. "Move," I say through my teeth, tone strained and controlled. "I have business to take care of. "

"We have unfinished business ourselves." Hayden grabs my chin between his fingers, tilting my head back. His dilated pupils flit across my flushed face as he licks his bottom lip. "Everything else can wait."

"Actually, Agent , it can't," I say, counting the taste buds on the tip of his tempting tongue. "And we don't have any business..." My gaze snaps up to meet his darkened eyes. "Not anymore."

"Your mouth..." He trails the pad of his thumb across my lower lip. "And your body..." He rakes his fingers through my hair, tugging my head back. "Don't seem to be on the same page, Camilla."

"Call it a temporary glitch." I coil my fingers around his forearm and dig my nails into his flesh. His neck muscles tighten as I increase the pressure. "I'm sure one will catch up with the other." Swiftly, I duck under his arm using a technique Frankie taught me. Hayden staggers back a foot as I grab my jacket and purse. My pulse races with adrenaline and need as I give his disheveled appearance a once over, begging my body to fucking stop . "Talk soon, Doc."

"Where are you going?" Hayden grunts. "From now on, your business is my business."

I sigh, taking a sharp breath as I head toward the door. "I'm going to go tell a bunch of old Italians that their new business partners are from a little further east than usual."

Hayden frowns. "You do already have an alliance with The Dragons, do you not ?"

"I will." I shrug, fiddling with the knob as I hover in the doorway. "In like a day. "

"Camilla!" he roars, eyes alarmingly wide. "What the fuc?—"

I quickly slam the door shut, run down the stairs, and pull out my phone.

"Zoey," I say into the phone, giving Frankie a fake smile as he opens the car door for me. "I need you to set up a Council meeting for tomorrow. I've made up my mind."

"Did you kill him?" she whispers. "You didn't kill him, did you? You said you wouldn't!"

"No, Zoey, I didn't," I mutter into the receiver as Frankie hops into the car.

"Good." She breathes a sigh of relief. "I'll set it up." She pauses. "Are you going to tell them about Hayden?"

"No," I say. Poor girl is always in the dark. Ignorance is often bliss. But it's time to wake up. "Something else." And I hang up.

"Where to, princess?" Frankie cranes his neck back at me as he starts the car. "The Club? Home?"

I bite my tongue as tears threaten to well up in my eyes. I trusted him. I trusted all of them. They were my home.

And now I'm homeless.

"Home," I say quietly, looking out the window at Hayden's office. "Take me home."

Wherever that means.