Page 90 of The Doctor

No one did.

They didn’t give me a chance, even though I was the last one Paulo spoke to before the paramedics loaded him up.

Even though I’d figured it all out.

31

Zeno

I’d followed Jet from the hospital to one of our safe houses, only to find the small apartment packed when we walked in the door. With the exception of Santini, Jet’s crew was all there, along with Jael David and her three-man crew. If I hadn’t been on so many operations with the two teams in the past year, I would have felt out of place being thrown in with the lot of them.

Jet gave a brief rundown on what we’d learned at the hospital, and I could tell he and I felt the same way—we didn’t know enough.

“I don’t like not knowing who’s behind this,” Jet said, pacing the room. “I want eyes on the lieutenants and their families until we can figure out a better plan.”

“You think someone’s coming after the Syndicate?” Nick Marconi asked.

Jet scrubbed a hand down his face, and his haunted eyes met mine. In that gray gaze, I saw something I never thought I’d see: Fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of losing a man who’d been like a father to the both of us.

Fear of history repeating itself, of a bloodbath tearing families apart while the future of the D’Angelo Syndicate was at stake.

“I don’t know.” The man shook his head, not tearing his attention from me. “But that’s a risk I’m not willing to take.”

He turned then, pacing once more.

“Jael, I want you back at the hospital. Stay by Queenie’s side, and keep an eye on Lorenzo, Carmen, and this Nadia woman.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want—” Before Jet could say more, my cell phone rang. Jet pursed his lips, but gave me a nod, and I pulled the device out of my pocket and put it on speaker.

“This is Zee.”

“Zee, it’s Sarah. I think something’s wrong.”

“Is it Chaya?”

“It’s— No, she’s doing better. It’s Arik. He left home over an hour ago to grab some ibuprofen from the pharmacy down the street, and he hasn’t come home. I can’t get ahold of him, and he knows Chaya’s due for more.”

Jet was in front of me before the woman even stopped talking. He snagged the phone from my hand and brought it to his ear. “Sarah? It’s Jet. Get Chaya and get to your safe room. I’m sending Lev and Abe there now. Do not open the door for anyone but them, understand?”

He tossed my phone back at me as he motioned toward the two men to go. They turned without a word, stopping only because Jael stood in their way.

“Don’t let anything happen to them.”

Lev punched the woman on the arm. “Don’t worry, Major. We’re on it.”

Jet continued, “Haukelid, I want you to go to my parents' house. Let them know what’s happened and tell my brothers to start the plan. They’ll know what to do and tell you what’s next.”

“On it, boss.”

“Fontana, Marconi, I want you on the Vincis. Berto and Daphne were at the hospital. Check their home first. I want Daphne secured, and if Berto’s not there, one of you will find him and stay at his side.”

“We’ll let you know.” The two started for the door but it swung open before Marconi could grab the knob. Lev burst back in, chest heaving and eyes wild.