Chapter 12 - Collateral Damage
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The recoil snapped Leah’s wrist back, a sharp pain shooting up her arm. The heavy .38 caliber bullet tore through the hitter's shoulder. He screamed, dropping his weapon and collapsing against a velvet chair.
Dante whipped his head around, his eyes wide as he saw what Leah had just done. He didn't hesitate. He swung his rifle around and eliminated the remaining two guards in a rapid burst of precision fire.
Silence fell over the VIP room, broken only by the whimpering of the wounded man and the heavy bass still pounding from the club below.
Dante stepped out from behind the bar, kicking the guns away from the fallen bodies. He walked slowly toward the overturned sofa where Sable was cowering.
He reached over, grabbed Sable by his expensive silk collar, and hauled him to his feet.
"Dante, please," Sable begged, his face pale, blood trickling from a cut on his cheek. "It wasn't my idea! It was your uncle! He promised me the Brooklyn territory!"
"You betrayed the family, Sable," Dante said, his voice devoid of anger, which made it all the more terrifying. "You tried to drug me like a stray dog in a basement."
"Wait!" Sable shrieked, his eyes darting to Leah. "If you kill me, your uncle will order the hit on the kid! The hospital!"
Leah’s blood ran cold. She dropped her gun, stepping forward. "What did you say?"
Sable laughed a wet, desperate laugh. "You think you're the only one with spies, Dante? Your uncle knows about the kid at St. Jude's. He sent a team ten minutes ago. If I don't call in and say you're dead, they kill the boy."
Leah couldn't breathe. The room spun. Matteo. Her sweet, innocent Matteo.
"Give me your phone," Dante demanded, pressing the barrel of his pistol against Sable's forehead.
Sable fumbled in his pocket, handing over a sleek gold smartphone. Dante threw it to Leah.
"Call the hospital ward," Dante ordered. "Now."
Leah's fingers trembled so violently she could barely dial the number. It rang once. Twice.
"Valerius detail," a gruff voice answered.
"Is the boy safe?" Leah choked out.
"Yes, ma'am. Boss's uncle sent a hit squad, but Enzo left us heavy. We wiped them out in the lobby. The kid slept through the whole thing."
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Leah let out a sob of pure relief, falling to her knees.
Dante looked back at Sable, a terrifying, dark smile spreading across his face. "Your leverage is gone."
