Enzo, being a serious pain in my ass, came around to stand in front of me, blocking my view of the countryside villa. “What are you talking about?” He removed his sunglasses to scrutinize me. “Are you feeling guilty about Lennon again? You had no way of anticipating she’d been taken from that hotel in the first place, and we will get her back. She’s alive. She has to be.” His brows tightened. “We will win.”

“Yeah, and at what cost? There’s always one. A life for a life, I can feel it.” I shook my head. “One of us is going to die.” I’d never said words like that before, but a dark-something had come over me on our way here. “I can’t let it be one of you. Or Juliette’s brother.”

Enzo abruptly fisted my shirt and brought his face closer to mine, his jaw straining as he snarled, “I don’t know what weird voodoo shit got into your head on our way here, but that’s not happening.”

“I already got a lecture from Alessandro back home. The last thing I need is one from you, too.”

“You’re afraid. That’s what this is.” Enzo took his scolding up a notch. “You’re afraid this is all too good to be true. To have a woman and son who love you. That it’s impossible for you to be this happy.” He released my shirt so he could open his arms wide, his glasses dangling from one hand. “You think it’ll be taken from you. You’ve come so close to peace, so it’ll be stolen at the last minute.” He brought his free hand to the side of his head and pointed at his temple. “Whatever fear demons you’ve got inside you, kick them the fuck out. Because you’re not dying today. I know that’s what you think will happen, but it’s not. Do. You. Hear. Me?” His dark eyes tightened on me.

I looked up at the cloudless sky, taking a moment to recalibrate. We’d truly be rolling in with daylight kissing our asses for all of those mafiosi to see us. No choice. That didn’t make me feel any better.

Carmello had received a video message about his son being held hostage two hours ago. The ransom demand was the cyber wallet in exchange for his freedom. The drop was supposed to occur tonight—the location yet to be provided. We had to hit the Rizzos’ compound this afternoon before they knew we were onto them or had a chance to prepare for the trade.

So, there we were, five kilometers away from the Rizzos’ stronghold, about to prepare for infil, and I was getting laid into by my youngest brother.