The Tyrant (Banker 3)

“Yeah, I know. How’s our little girl?”

“She’s good,” she said, her tone picking up noticeably. “Just gave her dinner and a bath. Now she’s in her pajamas and ready to see her father before she goes to sleep.”

“I can’t wait to see my girls.”

“We can’t wait to see you.”

I stayed on the phone with her, tempted to tell her how I felt. Thinking about both of them at home waiting for me made my heart burst in my chest. I didn’t miss the bars, the booze, or the boobs of my former life. The only thing I ever missed was my family waiting for me at home. But I didn’t tell her the truth, wanting to make sure I looked her in the eye when I told her how I felt. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

“Alright.”

I waited for her to hang up before I walked out of my office and left the building. My car was waiting for me, so I got in the back seat and stared out the tinted window as we drove through the city and headed to the countryside. Three cars were in the front and three were in the back, protecting me everywhere I went. If someone wanted to take me down, they would have a hard time doing it.

When the car reached the countryside, a large explosion nearly broke my eardrums. My instinct was to duck and get out of view of the windows. Bright light filled the sky in all directions, billowing flames reaching into the darkness. Even inside the car, I could feel the heat from the fire.

Shit.

I reached under the seat and grabbed the loaded pistol. “What the fuck is going on?”

The driver called for backup, and I sat up to look around. All the cars in my entourage had exploded. Some were still on fire, and others had rolled off the road and into the grass. It was safe to say all the men were dead. Their cars had been loaded with explosives and timed to go off at this particular moment.

That meant the war with Micah and Damien wasn’t over.

I only had time for one phone call, and as much as I wanted to tell Siena I loved her before I was killed, I had to call Bates.

Thankfully, he answered right away. “Are you still at the office—”

“Someone took a shot at me. All the cars in my fleet have been destroyed by explosives. I’m still in the car, but I know more are coming. No idea who’s behind this. I’m three miles outside of Florence.”

Bates didn’t ask any questions. He switched into survival mode. “I’ll round up the other guys now to intercept you. Stay on the—”

A tank came out of the darkness and slammed into my car.

My seat belt was off because I’d removed it to duck on the floor. My body went flying with the momentum, slamming into the side as the car rolled from the blow. I was pushed off the road, rolling continuously and hitting my head on every surface. The phone kept flying. “Bates, if you can hear me, I’ve been hit by a tank.” The phone probably broke on impact.

The car finally came to a stop, and I was disoriented. The spinning and the collision had nearly broken me in half. My head beat like a drum, and my wrist felt injured. My gun was on the floor, so I grabbed it and prepared for anything.

The front door opened, and a man took out the two men in the front seat.

Fuck, I was next.

I was the last one alive on purpose. They didn’t want me dead right away, not until they got what they wanted. They would torture me until they broke me. The gun in my hand shouldn’t be used for defense, but suicide. Why suffer when I could just end it now?

But then I thought of Siena and Martina.

I couldn’t give up—not yet.

The back door opened, and Damien poked his head inside. “Mr. Marino, beautiful night, isn’t it?” His eyes gleamed with mirth, like he’d been counting down the days until this moment arrived.

I shouldn’t have shot him in the shoulder. I should have shot him in the head. “I’ve seen better.”

“Awfully arrogant for the last man standing.”

“Just because my men are dead doesn’t mean I’m alone. And so much for that truce, huh?”

“It was a stupid move on your part…and all for pussy.”

My fists wanted to pummel his face, but I had to keep my cool. I had to pretend Siena meant nothing to me—otherwise, they might use her against me.

“I’ve been wanting to fuck that cunt for a while. So I understand your fascination.”

It took all my strength to do nothing. “Do you always talk this much?”

“When I’m in a good mood. Now, get out.” He stepped back so I could climb out of the car. I left my gun behind because there was no point in bringing it along. Once I stepped out of the car, it would be taken from me. Hopefully, Bates was still on the line and had heard that conversation. Even if he didn’t, he would figure out who took me. He’d been suspicious of Damien for months.