“So what are you going to do about Paul?” Dane asked.“I’m still not sure what I’m going to do to him. And you haven’t told me what happened,” Butcher replied. “But after he hears what you said, it’s only a matter of time. He’ll come back, report to me, and then I’ll decide his fate.”“So what about Leo? If we actually lost, would he know we’re here by now?” Dane asked.“Well yes,” Butcher said. “If what you said is true, then from what I’ve heard, and from what I think happened, he’s already figured out where we are. Because even if he didn’t have a spy, there are many people who might know our location. And one of them, perhaps an enemy, could have given him the information.”“But sir, if Leo attacks, by that time I’m going to be in Genoa,” Dane said.Butcher stood up and put a hand on Dane’s shoulder. “There’s a very big chance it might happen while you’re gone. But there’s also a chance it could be tomorrow. I know you’ve messed with him, and he’s very hot-tempered. He might not s

“Understood,” Dane said.“Now you guys leave my room,” Butcher said.As Dane and Jane walked out, Dane couldn’t help but think: What is Butcher going to do? Is he going to be furious? Will he ask why I didn’t follow his plan?Jane whispered, “How… how did he even lose? The plan Butcher gave wasn’t complicated—it was simple. Easy. Why didn’t it work?”“The thing is,” Dane said, keeping his voice low as they walked away, “he didn’t follow Butcher’s orders when he went there. Not only that, Leo May infiltrated the ship. He ordered guns, bombs—more bombs. But the people who came to deliver them… they were sent by Leo himself. And a lot of our men died on that ship. But I want Butcher to hear it directly from him. That’s why I didn’t say anything back then.”Jane shook her head. “Shit… that’s crazy. Why would he do that? Why not just stick to the plan? That was one of the easiest missions Butcher has ever given—just explode the ship, nothing more.”“Yeah,” Dane replied, “but he didn’t want

The following morning, as Dane woke up, he reached for his gun, the one he always kept by his side when he slept. A sharp noise cut through the air—whew, whew, whew, whew, whew.“What’s going on…?” he muttered.He pushed open the window and froze. A helicopter was circling the mansion. Down below, seven police motorcades lined up outside the compound.Dane grabbed his gun and bolted for the hall. Are they here to attack us or what? He ran straight for Butcher’s room and banged on the door.“Sir!” Dane shouted.He opened the door without waiting for permission—only to find police officers standing inside, calmly stationed as if they belonged there.“What’s going on?” Dane demanded.“You’re supposed to knock before entering my room,” Butcher said coldly.“But sir—the cops—” Dane stammered.“Those police are mine,” Butcher cut in. “They don’t work against us, they work for me. They’re here to keep up appearances… and to lure Leo’s men into hesitation. If he sees the cops and even a helic