glancing around the parking lot. One car caught her attention. It wasn’t flashy, just familiar. Katrina couldn’t remember where she’d seen it before, but knew she had.
Sliding behind the wheel, she fought to get the older car started, sending up a prayer each time her efforts didn’t succeed. After four attempts, the engine decided to turn over. Backing out, Katrina made a quick decision to drive by the car.
No one sat inside, nor did she notice anyone close by. She tried to recall where she’d seen the car before. Driving past twice, she still couldn’t remember anything more about the car.
Deciding she needed to get going, Katrina stopped long enough to snap a picture before leaving the lot. Not checking her rearview mirror, she didn’t see the large man dressed in black emerge from behind several crated trees.
Tony Carparelli watched her car disappear down the road, a sense of unease rolling through him. He’d been a soldier in the Chicago Mob for several years, with aspirations of rising in the organization.
To gain favor, Tony had performed one distasteful job after another, proving his loyalty. Not once had he hesitated about an order from his Capo.
Watching this family of two women and a teenager, he’d seen something of his youth in their hard work and hopeful expressions. No matter how he figured it, something wasn’t right. He couldn’t figure out why Peter or Salvatore would have any interest in such a normal family.
They posed no threat to anyone. Peter had already confirmed their interest wasn’t due to an unpaid loan, the most common reason the Mob went after women and kids. He’d also been told they wanted no harm to come to them.
If those were true, why would they have one of their soldiers leave Chicago to track them down? Tony concluded something else was at play.
No matter what Peter said, Tony felt certain the family members would end up as pawns to lure someone else. For a perceived or real wrong, the soldier didn’t know. Regardless, he couldn’t put off his call any longer.
Pulling the phone from his pocket, he touched the number connecting him to his Capo. “I’m ninety-nine percent certain this is the family you’ve been searching for.”
“Not one hundred percent, Tony?”
“No matter the job, there’s always one percent of uncertainty in a job such as this one. What are your orders?”
Peter stayed silent longer than anticipated, causing Tony to grab the bottle of antacids from his pocket. Tapping out four, he swallowed them without water, wincing as they scraped down his throat.
“For now, you’ll continue to watch. If it appears they’re preparing to run, I want to know right away.”
Jaw tight, Tony’s gut clenched. “Do you want me to stop them from leaving?”
“There’s a good chance you’ll be the one to bring a final resolution to a six-year-old problem. Will that be a problem?”
Tony wanted to yell, hell yes. Instead, he shoved aside his own disgust. “Not at all. I’m your man, Peter.”
Chapter Nine
Gunner checked the time, confident he’d reach the nursery before Katrina left. After his shift surveilling the Disciples clubhouse the night before, he’d gone home and crashed until noon. After a two-hour workout and another two hours at the lake the Brethren used for training, he’d found himself on the road to Maas Nursery.
He’d heard Wrath and Janie had met for almost three hours, hammering out the last details of the sale. The transfer of money and closing documents were all that was left, and according to Wrath, those were a formality.
Learning of the sale, Gunner asked permission to speak with Katrina. He wanted to break the news he’d soon be her boss and gauge her reaction. Neither Wrath nor Janie had a problem with his request.
Keeping his truck barely below the speed limit, he cursed at the sight of Katrina exiting the parking lot. Pulling to the curb, he watched through his rearview mirror while waiting for traffic to clear enough for a U-turn.
Spotting an opening, Gunner cranked the wheel, crossing to the opposite lane behind another car leaving the nursery. Keeping Katrina’s car visible up ahead, he followed. Several minutes passed before he realized the car ahead of him traveled in the same direction.
Speeding up, he tried to get a better look at the man inside. Making a turn, the car slowed enough for him to see a ball cap and dark glasses. He appeared to be a large man.
Gunner was forced to slow when the man pulled his car over. Grabbing