Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia 2)

“Who was behind this?” I demand, seeing red.

“Sergi.” Cameron blows out a breath. “Pavlov was working on his turf. But Sergi didn’t want him dead because Pavlov knew too many people, kept too many secrets. He needed him alive, just in case. So, he staged the murder, hid Pavlov away, and no one was the wiser.

“But, about a year ago, Pavlov fucked up again and pissed off some people. The wrong people. In Dallas. Who is the Dallas syndicate?”

“It used to be the Carlitos,” Carmine says thoughtfully. “But the boss died twenty years ago, and no one was interested in taking over.”

“Apparently, that changed, too,” Cox replies. “A kid by the name of Benji Carlito has decided to take up the reins. He’s twenty-four.”

“Grandson,” I murmur, remembering stories from my father. “He was the boss’s grandson.”

“And he has a taste for the mob,” Cox says. “I don’t know who Pavlov pissed off, but it filtered to Carlito, and that is what spurred the search for Ivie. They thought they could hurt the old man if they got their hands on his daughter.”

“Little do they know that Pavlov doesn’t give two fucks about Ivie,” Nadia says, fury shooting from her gorgeous blue eyes.

“Are Carlito and Sergi working together?” I wonder aloud. “I want to know exactly what Billy knows. That piece of shit.”

I want to punch something. Hard.

“Okay, we’re going to go about this methodically.” Rocco turns from the window where he’s been taking it all in. “I’m headed to Dallas in the morning.”

“Nadia and I will go to New York,” Carmine says. “I already have a rapport with Billy. And I can just tell him that Nadia wants to shop for the wedding. I had good dealings with him just a couple of months ago.”

“Good.” I tap my fingers on the desk. “I’m not going to just sit on the ranch anymore. It’s not safe. I should have left last night, but I didn’t have this information yet.”

“Leaving is a good idea,” Cameron says with a nod. “Get her to Seattle.”

“He’s right.” Carmine stands. “Take her to Gram’s house. The security is brand new, the house is secluded, and it’s not under your name. Not to mention, it has the safe room in the basement.”

I nod, thinking it over. “It’s the best solution. We’ll be ready to go by this evening.”

“I’ll fly you over before I go to Dallas,” Rocco says. “It’s not exactly on my way, but I’d like to be the pilot for that trip.”

“Appreciate it.”

“I’m done,” Cameron says, regret in his eyes. “I can’t do any more for you. I’m sorry. I’m breaking free of this life because I want a family of my own. I want Mary Margaret. And I want to make sure she’s safe.”

“You’ve done more than enough.” I shake my friend’s hand. “Thank you. I want an invitation to the wedding.”

“I have to talk her into marrying me first.” He grins. “You’ll get one. You all will. Good luck, and be careful.”

He waves and shuts the door behind him, leaving me alone with my family.

“I’m fucking pissed,” I growl.

“Are you angry because they’re threatening someone or because they’re trying to kill the woman you love?” Carmine wonders.

“I won’t deny it. I love her. I won’t let them hurt her. And I’m going to kill them all.”

Carmine nods. Rocco cracks his knuckles.

“We’ll help,” Nadia says as she stands. “It’s time we teach the Sergis a lesson.”

* * *

I texted Curt when I left Denver to let him know I’d be back home shortly. I hit some fucking traffic just outside of the city, which lost me about thirty minutes, but I’m now getting close to the ranch.

Cell service is spotty on this section of road, but suddenly a text comes through from Curt.

Curt: 12 to 20 operatives. Breached from the west.

“Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.” I hit the steering wheel. I should have listened to Curt and my gut last night and gotten the hell out of there.

Instead, Ivie and Curt are both in harm’s way.

I slow the vehicle and snarl when I see four Jeeps pulled into the bushes on the edge of my property.

I pull in behind them, arm myself with a knife and two pistols, and make a mental note of where I have weapons hidden on the property. No one, not even Curt, knows that I’ve got at least ten stashes of weapons placed strategically.

I ease out of my vehicle and silently creep up on a man who’s standing by the Jeep in front. He’s looking at his phone.

He’s an idiot. These people need to hire better lookouts.

I easily sneak up on him and slit his throat, then let him fall to the ground.

One down. I have no idea when Curt sent that text since I’m often in dead zones between Denver and the ranch. I don’t know if he’s already taken out a good portion of the men, if they’ve killed him, or even if they’ve reached Ivie.