DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 42

Rick's POV

The line was silent for a beat.

Then Rafael spoke, voice smooth, edged with amusement. "I assume it's done?"

My grip tightened around the phone. My jaw clenched so hard it fucking ached. I knew exactly what he was talking about. The warehouse. The explosion. He thought I was dead.

I stayed quiet.

A low chuckle. "You're quiet." His tone dipped, sharp, cutting. "That's not like you."

I exhaled through my nose, forcing the anger down. "Where the fuck is she?"

A pause. A soft exhale. Then laughter, deep and taunting.

"Awww... mio ragazzo, Miss me?"

I wanted to put a bullet between his fucking eyes.

"Avery—oh no, Gianna—" he dragged her real name out like a fucking game, "is safe with me."

Avery's voice cut through the line before I could respond. "Go to hell, you sick fuck!"

A rush of relief hit me, sharp and temporary. She was alive. Fighting.

But Rafael? He was still talking. Still laughing.

"You sound mad, Rick. What, worried I'll break your little toy?"

"Touch her and I will fucking gut you."

He clicked his tongue. "Now, now, that's not very nice." A pause. Then, lower, darker— "You should've died in that explosion. But it's okay. I keep my promises. Gianna first. Then you."

I forced the rage down, controlled. "You want me? Say the fucking location."

Rafael let out a satisfied hum. "That's the spirit. Come to me, Rick."

A ping.

The call ended.

I stared at the screen. A fucking address.

I moved before I even processed it, turning and slamming my fist into Thomas's face.

The old man grunted, hitting the floor. Blood dripped from his lip.

"How the fuck do you explain that call now?"

Thomas spat blood, looking up, cold and steady. "I didn't betray you."

I kicked him in the ribs, sending him rolling. "That's a goddamn lie."

"I would never betray you."

"Funny," I scoffed, yanking my gun out and pressing it to his head. "Because Rafael sure as fuck thinks you would."

Thomas exhaled, calm even now. "Trust me. I'm loyal to you, to your father....to the famiglia."

My finger hovered over the trigger.

"Rick."

Bryce called out.

His usual smile was gone. His voice was calm, controlled. "This is what Rafael wants. You kill him, and if he's innocent, you just wiped out the one person who could help you."

I didn't lower the gun. My chest rose and fell, sharp, burning with fury.

Bryce exhaled, then said something I never expected.

"I trust him."

Fred and George stepped forward. Silent, but there.

They were standing with Thomas.