“He’s going to kill them.” Unlike me, Matteo didn’t shy away from the atrocities. “It’s the only way to make everyone safe.”
Death and destruction were things I’d heard and read about. They were not part of my everyday life.
Matteo’s tablet beeped, and a red light flashed in the upper right corner. “I’ll be back.”
“Wait. What’s happening?” I grabbed his sleeve and peered over his shoulder at the table. “What are all those camera icons for?”
“Body cams. Renzo insisted on them after one of his guys betrayed us.” Matteo shifted to block the tablet.
“Let me see.” I reached past him and tapped the camera with an R flashing red.
Hands and a gun came into view, everything else blurred as the wearer ran behind Alessio. I recognized Alessio’s frame and the suit I’d seen him in earlier.
“Renzo,” I whispered and covered my mouth with both hands. “Is there sound?”
“No. And you shouldn’t be watching this.” He reached for the tablet.
I wrenched it away from him and ran to the nearest bedroom. Matteo caught the door with one hand when I tried to slam it shut.
“You can watch the damned cameras if it means that much to you, but don’t you dare shut me out.” He hugged me tight enough to push down the tears welling in my eyes.
I sniffed and sat at the foot of the bed. Now that I had permission, fear scrapped my insides. Did I really want to look?
“Nice room.” Breathing deeply, I angled my head to the side to examine an abstract painting taking up one entire wall. The tablet felt heavy in my clammy hands. “Is that supposed to be a woman or a dick?”
“I’m not sure. Alessio hated it and refused to hang it upstairs, so I absconded with it.” He bounced on the bed and leaned back with his weight on his palms.
“Sorry I ran.” Laughter came from the other room, and I knew Leo was having fun with whatever he found to play with. I held out the tablet to Matteo. Watching together would be best. “I hate being left in the dark. I hate being down here, even though I know I’m a liability up there. I want to feel like I’m part of something and not always being treated like I can’t be trusted.”
“It’s not about trust.” Matteo tapped a second camera icon, and the screen split. “Alessio is afraid you’ll leave once you know the truth. I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Neither would he, but it’s not because he doesn’t trust you.”
Renzo and Alessio sped across a heap of rubble and leaped to the far side of the yard. The gates appeared in front of Renzo, both hanging off their hinges. Renzo grabbed Alessio by the collar and dragged him backward at the same time a man in black rose from behind a car and opened fire.
Alessio’s camera jerked and faced the sky, then Renzo’s face took up the entire frame. He shouted something at Alessio and pointed back the way they’d come.
Streaks of sweat and grime tracked down his face. The black tactical gear always made him appear menacing, but I’d neverthought of him that way until seeing him like this. His entire face changed into something unrecognizable. I’d never seen so much anger in one person.
“If he knew you were watching this, he’d shave my eyebrows.” Matteo tried to smile but it fell flat.
Renzo stood and his camera revealed Alessio’s face. The man wore malice with pride etched in every line, every look. He stood and pushed Renzo’s offer of help aside.
“You should get audio.” I craved the sound of their voices.
They dashed back into the fray. More men appeared, climbing over the wall and dropping into the yard in threes and fours.
Renzo fired, Alessio doing the same at his side. The screens flickered, going gray and white with static.
“What’s happening?” I shook the tablet and tapped the cameras. “Why are they doing that?”
“Interference with the signal. They’ve gone to the other side of the estate. Bruce can watch over them from the control room. He has access to Renzo’s earpiece and can give him information.”
“What about you?” I remembered Renzo’s orders to Matteo. “He talked to you through an earpiece. Can’t you do the same?”
“And tell him what?” Grief crashed over his face. “I don’t want to distract him. If he hears from me, he’ll think something is wrong. I can’t risk it, and neither can you.” He must have read the desperation in my face because he brought me in for another hug and kissed my forehead. “They’ll come here when it’s over. When it’s safe enough.”
“And we’re supposed to sit here and wait?”
“Yes. Because keeping you and Leo safe is the most important thing to them.” He pushed the tablet aside, and I let him.
