Chapter Seventeen

Stefano

Betrayal was dark and bitter. It lingered in the mouth, festered in the gut, and turned affection into a weapon. For my father, betrayal masqueraded as love.

For me, there would be no forgiveness. No mercy. My only salvation was in her arms. Without her, all that was left was the monster inside me.

The monster wanted his angel. Unleash me, and I'd aggress.

Because we knew where she was down to the longitude and latitude of Karas' island. My girl had sent a dick pic. The photo of the painting had captured the tail boom of a helicopter in the distance.

Student Identification Number: HI75IK

HI75IK was the identification number painted on the tail of the helicopter.

Once Emilio had the registration number, he had the island. We had satellite images of the property, blueprints of the buildings, even the delivery schedules to the island.

Allegra and Romi were in the kitchen making food. Because Deidre was in there helping, I assumed Knox was there, too. Orlando and Carmine were with Emilio in the guesthouse.

Marco was with Luca, Mia, and Luca's man, Hudson in his office. Hudson wasn't mafia. He was Mia's head of security and her personal bodyguard. He operated in the gray. As former Special Forces, he'd lived in a violent world. But I questioned his willingness to invest in a vendetta against Karas. Would he mete out justice outside the law?

"We can trust him. We need his tactical expertise infiltrating the island."

I sat next to Ant on the patio. Morning sunlight glinted off the blue water in the pool. Savio laughed as Anna adjusted his body position for floating on his back.

Her gaze would drift to Antonio then she'd quickly turn away.

My sister was stunning with beautiful curves, dark hair, and penetrating eyes. Her laughter punched me in the gut, remembering her with Celine in the studio. Remembering the conversation. Knowing her heart was with Antonio.

A cigarette burned between my fingers. "Marco is considering Diego Ricci for her to marry."

Ant stayed silent.

"I was in the studio last night."

He leaned forward, rested his forearms on his thighs, and continued to watch Anna and Savio.

"Fuck, Ant, I think Anna should have a choice in who she marries." I flicked ash from my cigarette. "But you know how this ends for her. She should only know the touch of her husband."

"Don't you think I know that? You think I want her to marry someone else? I'd fucking die for her." His spine stiffened. "I will die for her when I tell Marco that I've betrayed him."

"Marco will forgive you for falling in love with Anna. He'll never forgive you if you hurt her."

"I want to marry her."

I laughed. "I'm not the one you ask, asshole. Ask her? Then talk to Marco."

Anna stepped out of the pool. Water slicked her skin and molded the white bikini to her body.

"Until you do, don't fucking touch her again." I slapped him on the back, stubbed out my cigarette, and headed into the house.

I found Marco in the kitchen holding Allegra. He rested his forehead against hers.

Luca, Carlo, and Hudson huddled around a table with Carmine and Orlando going through the cases of weapons and ammunition coming with us.

Marco released Allegra. "Take care of her," he said to Timoteo.

Santi would stay behind, but we had our best soldiers with us.

Knox whispered to Deidre. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She gripped the front of his shirt, clinging to him. He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb, then put his thumb to his mouth, and licked it.

She chuckled and rested her forehead on his chest.

Fuck. Another impending disaster.

"Time to go. Grab the gear," Ant said coming into the kitchen. Anna's eyes were puffy and red as she sidled around the room and stood next to Allegra.

Hudson separated from the group and pulled Mia aside. "Remember I told you I wouldn't let a life with Luca pull you into his world." He sighed and leaned his massive frame against the counter. "This is different. Anything that threatens Luca, threatens you. I'm all in with them."

Hudson had the skills to get us on the island, but our men would follow Marco's orders.

"I'll be fine." Her voice was soft. "Bring them all home. Bring Celine home."

My gut tightened. This was war against an adversary who had the advantage. But we were fighting for more than retribution. We protected our family.

***

A dozen men were on the plane. Some of the guys slept on the way to the Dominican Republic. I sat with Marco, Ant, and Hudson and discussed possible scenarios.

"We'll be outnumbered," Ant said.

Marco twisted his lionhead ring. "We need the element of surprise. It's ten miles to the closest island."

"It's not like we can land helicopters and storm his fortress." I raked my hand over my head, frustrated with our lack of options.

"I have a friend, an ex-pat and former SEAL, in the DR. I can get a favor without a lot of questions. He lives on a yacht. We hop from the DR to that little resort, pick up a couple of small boats, get in, you all take care of your business, and we get out with the girl."

"We don't want local authorities involved," Marco said. "Salvatore is taking care of customs when we land." Don Jilani was once again proving to be a strong ally to the Bruno family.

"And I would prefer no one know of our connection." Hudson took a sip from a water bottle. "Do you trust me to make the arrangements?"

Marco nodded, and Hudson took out his cell and began making calls.

Before we landed, everyone changed into casual clothes. Italians in Armani would draw too much attention. I wore black jeans with a T-shirt under a loose, short-sleeved shirt that buttoned up in the front.

Two SUV's waited at the private airport when we arrived. We quickly loaded the vehicles with the weapon cases. Hudson spoke in Spanish to the drivers. Marco handed them envelopes of cash. Then Hudson circled with his finger, informing us we needed to go now.

Hudson, Marco, Ant, and Orlando rode in the first vehicle with a couple soldiers. I rode in the second vehicle with Carmine, Knox, and the rest of the men. When he reached the marina, Hudson exited the vehicle.

A man in a red baseball cap waited on the peer. He wore a faded T-shirt, cargo shorts, and Crocs. Mirrored aviator sunglasses covered his eyes. He smiled and waved at Hudson. They hugged, spoke a couple of words, and then Hudson waved Marco over.

Antonio exited first, protecting Marco as he joined Hudson. Introductions were made, then the guy followed Hudson to the rear of the SUV.

"This is Mac," Hudson said. "He'll ferry us to Azure Bay."

We slid out of the vehicle, grabbed our gear, and followed the man to his sixty-foot yacht. A woman stood at the rail to help us aboard.

"This is Yanira. She doesn't speak or understand English."

The young island woman wore a bikini top and jean cutoff shorts with her canvas sneakers. She smiled, showing pretty white teeth.

We all climbed aboard. Mac directed us into the main portion of the yacht. "Once we're out to sea, you can go out on deck."

Mac and Yanira secured the mooring lines. Mac pushed us away from the dock, engaged the engines and slowly backed us into the harbor. Yanira hopped from one side of the boat to the other, speaking Spanish to Mac.

The guys sat on the couches and chairs in the living area of the yacht. I stood with Marco, watching the surrounding water for anything suspicious.

"Do you think Karas is watching the harbor?" I quietly asked.

"I don't know. He's secure in his anonymity. As long as Emilio is covering his tracks while he's in Karas' system, we'll have the advantage."

Once we were out on the open water, Mac came into the room. "We'll stay out to sea until nightfall. Hudson requested three boats, but I could only get you two pontoons. You shouldn't have any trouble. We have calm seas, and the water is shallow around the small islands. Help yourself in the kitchen. The restroom is in the back."

Then he went back up top with Yanira.

The rest of us formed a circle, keeping our voices low as we sat in the saloon, which was basically a living room.

"We still go in with three crews," Marco said. "Hudson, this doesn't have to be your fight. I need the staff quarters secured. Minimal loss of life. This isn't their fight either. Everyone should be asleep. No one leaves the villa."

He nodded.

"Orlando, I know you want a piece of Karas, but I need you, Carmine, and Knox to secure building two."

Knox whistled. "It's going to hemorrhage soldiers like a hemophiliac."

Carmine snorted with a laugh.

"Secure it and get your asses into the main house," I said. "Never underestimate Karas. Assume he knows we're coming."

As the sun set, Mac circled Karas' private island from about two miles out. With the use of binoculars, Hudson determined our best option for infiltrating the island undetected.

"We need to avoid the cliffs," Hudson said. "They'll tear apart the pontoons. We can't go near the dock. We'll be too visible. That means the guard platform is going to be an issue."

"Knox and I will take out the guards," I said. The monster inside me wanted first blood.

Nervous energy pumped through my system as nighttime settled around us. Under the cover of darkness, a few hours before dawn, we loaded the pontoons. The ocean was pitch black. Salty spray tingled against my lips as the boat bounced on the ocean waves.

Mac drove his yacht ahead of us, both for a distraction, and as a guide to the landing area. As we came within a mile of the shore, we powered down the engines and slowly idled toward the beach. The boat rolled on the ebb and flow of the low tide.

I felt my ribs for the tenth time, confirming I had my weapon. Another gun strapped to my ankle. I carried several clips of ammunition on my belt, along with a knife at my thigh and another at my waist.

Carmine and Antonio both had rifles slung over their shoulders.

An unlit cigarette dangled from Knox's mouth as he checked his gun and slid it into his shoulder harness. He tucked the cigarette behind his ear. "Ready?"

The boat grinded against the sand. Knox vaulted over the rail, landed in the surf, and charged up and over the dunes hiding the boats. My boots sank into the sand and tangled on vines and weeds. I caught up to him. JJ, one of the soldiers, was right behind me.

A ten-foot rock formation created a barrier against the ocean. We moved quietly, our breaths blending with the crash of the surf. Rocks bit into my palm as I climbed to the top of the plateau.

We crouched at the support beam for the platform. A guard leaned against the railing smoking a cigarette. I pulled my gun and quietly attached the silencer.

Knox held up one finger and then a second. I didn't know if there was more than one guard. I could only see the one smoking.

The guard inhaled, giving me a perfect target. I aimed for the cherry of his cigarette and pulled the trigger. The man dropped with a thud.

Knox moved like lightning, climbing the stairs three at a time. JJ bounded to the backside of the platform, and I held my gun, ready to fire again at any movement inside the guard tower.

Knox leaned over the rail. "All clear."

"All clear," JJ repeated from the far side of the platform.

Staying low to the ground, I returned to the edge of the rocks and gave the signal to Marco.

My heart raced, pumping adrenaline through my body. I could almost smell her on the ocean breeze as we moved among the trees. Hudson veered off with two soldiers to secure the staff villa.

Knox pointed to the darkened villa in the distance. Carmine gripped my shoulder. "No one is getting past us. You know Knox is certifiable."

Knox smiled and licked his lips. He was a lot like me. "Let him off the chain and stand back."

Before he could take off with Knox and Carmine, I grabbed Orlando. I rested my hand on his neck and kissed his forehead. "I'm proud of you."

My gaze connected with Carmine's. I knew my best friend would protect my little brother. They disappeared into the night with the third soldier, and we stayed in the shelter of the trees.

Marco and I continued toward the main house with Ant and JJ.

Sweat had my T-shirt sticking to my skin. The breeze off the ocean couldn't cut the heat and humidity. I scanned the trees and the pathways looking for infrared detection.

Gunfire erupted in the distance. "Fuck."

Within moments, lights blared overhead and throughout the island.

There were no doors to the main house. With weapons ready to fire, we strode into Karas' villa. JJ kept an eye on our rear, Ant and I protected the flanks, and Marco led us into the house.

Marco raised his gun. He nodded toward the reflection in the wall of glass. Two of Karas' guards crouched, in position for a stealth attack. JJ slipped down the hall. The noise distracted the guards. One spun, Marco charged forward, pulling the trigger on his Glock. The second soldier spun. At the same time, JJ appeared behind him and fired. The guard fell against the glass, leaving a smear of bright red blood as he crumbled onto the other guard.

"Element of surprise is officially over," Ant said.

Marco and Ant moved forward through the house. I stayed a few feet behind along with JJ. Clearly, they expected us. My gut clenched when I thought of the others. Maybe we should have just landed the fucking helicopters in the middle of his golf course.

We reached the rear of the house. A room overlooked the sea and cliffs in the distance. The west wall opened to the outdoors. Warm tropical breezes swept through the room.

And fucking Karas sat like a king on a leather sofa with a drink in his hand. Six soldiers had their weapons aimed at us. "Welcome to my island. I've been expecting you."

Marco, always calm, holstered his weapon, strode into the room, and sat in the chair across from Karas. He held up his hand to us, signally to put our guns away.

Jesus Christ, what was he doing?

I blocked the doorway, hopefully hiding JJ. Ant stood protectively behind Marco. But yeah, we were fucked.

"Would you like a drink?" Karas set his tumbler on the glass coffee table.

Marco continued to twist his ring. "I'd like you dead."

Karas paused and raised a brow. "Well, unfortunately, as my daughter would say when she doesn't get her way, it's good to want."

"Where is Celine?" I asked.

"Ah, so you must be the one who put a Bruno bastard into my daughter."

"What?" My blood turned to ice. I heard his words, but my brain refused to make sense of the implication. Perhaps my English translation was wrong.

"Stefano." Marco's warning tone didn't calm the fire ignited in my gut.

"Where is Celine?" I demanded.

"With Deo." A feminine voice that grated on my nerves sounded behind me. The guns aimed at me kept me from reaching out and wrapping my hands around her neck and squeezing until she was dead.

Stepping out of her way, Giada forced me deeper into the room. JJ must have taken cover out of sight. The slight twitch in Marco's jaw was the only indication that the cunt's presence affected him.

"Isaak, I didn't know you expected company." She crossed the room to the bar and poured a drink. "Shoot them now and end my suffering."

"Giada can be industrious," Karas said to Marco. "Tenacity is an admirable trait, however, in her haste she misses the small nuances of watching her enemy squirm. Like a worm on a hook."

A low throaty chuckle spilled from her lips. "Or like a mouse never finding a way out of the maze. How does it feel Marco, to know that you couldn't fill the shoes of your father? I didn't have to fuck you to break you. I just had to take Stef's toy." She glared at me. "She's Deo's toy now."

I inhaled a deep calming breath and let my muscles relax because I couldn't react. Part of being on the offense was never showing anger. Never give your enemy power.

"I'm not the one who fucked you over," Marco said. "How much have you sacrificed, only to have his fortune slip through your fingers?"

"Fuck you, Marco."

"You're never going to fuck a Bruno again. I'll protect my family, and I'll protect your son. Savio is with Luca. All ties between us are severed. That's something to celebrate." He smiled at her. "You can pour me that drink now."

"I've made my choice, and I've proven my loyalty to Isaak."

"He'd be a fool to trust you," I said. "You already tried to kill Celine once. It's only a matter of time before you try again."

"Don't listen to them, Isaak. You know that isn't true." She arched a brow. "We need her."

"He needs his heir," Ant said. "What the fuck does he need you for?"

Isaak held up his glass. Giada took it from him and returned to the bar to pour him another drink. "Celine will never accept me as her father, never embrace the life I could give her as my daughter. She's been poisoned by you," he said to me. "But she carries my blood. Once the monster inside of her is terminated, she'll give me grandsons. My future heirs."

"The fuck she will." I reached for my gun.

"Stef." The voice from my dreams. Dreams that had been turned into nightmares without her.

I turned. Celine. Just like the first time I saw her, she took my breath. This was more than physical, more than sexual. Without her, I wasn't me anymore. Besieged with emotions I couldn't feel as long as she was in danger, I slipped into the dark mask of my monster. The beast who wanted blood on his hands. Who relished the death of his enemies.

"Don't provoke him," she whispered as she walked into the room with a man. His arm was wrapped around her waist.

I'd fucking kill him for touching her. "Get your fucking hands off her."

"Stef, please, he'll kill you." Her voice broke.

Oh fuck, my knees weakened, and my heart slammed against my ribs. "Angel." I barely breathed the word.

Tears slid onto her cheeks. The sun had kissed her skin, yet she had dark shadows under her eyes. She'd lost weight. The summer dress she wore exposed the stretched skin over her collarbone and shoulders. But the hollowness in her stormy blue eyes punched me in the gut.

"Your boyfriend will be dead, daughter. I'd have put a bullet in his head the moment he stepped off his jet, but I wanted you to watch him die, to know there would be no chance of him coming for you. To understand what happens to those who dare oppose me. I want you to watch while I torture him for defiling you, for turning your body into a breeding ground."

"Angel, look at me."

Her gaze lifted to mine.

"Io e te per sempre." You and me forever.

I wanted my words to calm her, but something snapped inside her. She turned feral, twisting and bucking against the man. He tried to contain her, but she scratched and screamed. "Let me go."

"Deo, take her out of here," Isaak demanded. "Punish her when she fights you. She'll learn."

Giada chuckled.

Time stood still. Yet, bodies were in motion.

Marco's knee bounced. Ant subtly pulled his gun because he and Marco noticed the same thing I did. Shadows moved outside the open doorway, avoiding the pathways.

Bang!The soldier nearest to Karas stood motionless for a split second, blood trickled from the hole in his head, then he crumbled to the ground. Bang! Bang!

Knox emerged from the foliage with his weapon at his side like some badass motherfucker in a movie. He cocked his head to the side, stared straight ahead, raised his arm, targeted one of the guards, and pulled the trigger. The guy was fearless.

Hudson's arm extended and another shot rang out. Another guard dropped. JJ stood at the threshold to the room and fired his gun.

In seconds, Karas' soldiers were dead in a bloody massacre. There were still debts to be paid.

Karas scrambled behind the couch, backed against the wall, and cowered in the corner.

Italian flew from Giada's mouth. I'd seen her upset, but she careened into crazy.

"Fuck you," she screamed at Karas. "You never fucking listen. You fucked me." She raked her hands through her hair. "All you had to do was pull the fucking trigger. You're fucking worthless, and your men are dead." Her gaze darted from me to Marco to Ant. "You fucked me!" she screamed again, reached beneath the bar, pulled a gun, and fired.

Karas gurgled, his eyes widened, and confusion twisted his face. Blood dribbled from his mouth. He coughed once, spraying more blood.

Celine cried out and covered her mouth with her hand. Deo lodged his gun against her ribs forcing her into compliance.

Orlando emerged from the trees, storming into the villa. His clothes were covered in blood. More blood smeared across his face.

Suddenly, time was spinning out of control.

"Orlando, no!" I lunged as Giada turned her gun on him.

Bang!

I jolted at the sound.

Giada's gaze locked on Marco as he lowered his weapon. The stench of sulfur saturated the air. The deafening blasts of the guns rang in my ears.

Her weapon dropped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. She clutched her chest as blood oozed between her fingers. Her mouth opened to speak, but her lips trembled. She staggered from behind the bar, crashed to her knees, her eyes rolled, and she crumbled against the wall.

Ant and Marco faced Deo, the only man left in the room who would die today. No one would shoot as long as he held Celine. No one would deny me the recompence of taking his life.

I pulled my six-inch knife and sidled to the edge of the room. Celine's gaze collided with mine. I could feel her fear.

Carmine stepped into the room.

Deo turned and his arm dropped just enough for me to make my move. I lunged, seized his right arm, and jerked it hard behind his back. Tendons popped and crunched, dislodging his shoulder, and breaking his wrist. At the same time, I plunged my knife between the fourth and fifth rib, twisted hard. Warmth washed over my fingers.

"No one touches my angel," I said to him, angled the knife, and thrust a fraction deeper. The hot slickness of blood coated the knife. I plunged it into his body once more, then eased it free. Blood bubbled and spurted from the injury.

Carmine grabbed Celine and pushed her behind him to protect her.

As Deo fell to the ground, Celine clawed at Carmine to shove him out of the way. Then she was there, in my arms, her body molded to mine, and her arms locked around my neck.

Something inside me shifted, the gravity of the earth changed, and I could breathe again. I banded my arms around her, clutching her tight to my chest. When I buried my nose in her neck, the barbed wire around my chest loosened.

Tears dampened my skin as she sobbed against me, her arms tight, clinging to me, and her lips against my flesh.

"Who isn't accounted for?" Marco's voice cut through the roaring in my head.

"The blood is Dino's," Orlando said, wiping his cheek. "Fucker fell and shot himself in the leg. I got him to the boat. He's bitching, but he'll live."

"Is she okay?" Carmine asked.

"Sì." I loosened my hold, putting a couple inches of space between us.

A soft smile curled her lips. "You keep rescuing me."

I gathered tears from her cheek with my thumb. "Sei la mia vita." You are my life.

I wanted to give her time, to get her off the island before I asked her questions. I wanted her alone. But I felt a knife to my chest as acutely as the one I plunged into the bastard bleeding at my feet.

"Angel, is it true? Are you pregnant?"

More tears filled her eyes. "Maybe."

"Amore mio, maybe is good."