Chapter 4 - THE RUSSO THREAT
Ava was terrified, but she was pragmatic. The money paid off the loan sharks circling her family’s home, and her new job consisted entirely of sitting in the shadows of Liam's booth, watching the room, and speaking to him.
"Russo's lieutenant is sweating," Ava murmured into the collar of her blouse, her voice ringing clearly in Liam’s head over the quiet hum of the jazz club. "He keeps looking at the kitchen doors."
Liam didn't break eye contact with Sylvio Russo, who was currently laughing at a joke Vincent had made at the main table. Liam’s eyes flicked to the lieutenant. Ava was right.
"He just told the bartender to leave the back exit unlocked," Ava’s voice whispered in his mind. "He said 'the delivery is coming early'."
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Liam stood up. He didn't ask for permission. He moved with a terrifying, fluid speed, intercepting the kitchen doors just as two of Russo's armed hitmen slipped through the lock. Liam drove a stiletto blade into the neck of the first before the man could raise his suppressed pistol. Marco and Paulie were seconds behind him, cleaning up the rest in brutal, soundless efficiency.
When Liam returned to the floor, he caught Russo staring at him with undisguised horror. Liam wiped a drop of blood from his cuff and looked up at Ava. She was pale, shaking, but she hadn't run.
