Liam's POVThe photos kept coming. Nathan had more than just the one with that man. He had dozens of them spread across every news channel like he'd been building this case for months.There I was at Uncle Vincent's birthday party six years ago standing next to some guy in a suit. The caption underneath called him Roberto Maldonado. Wanted for racketeering in New Jersey. I didn't even remember meeting him. He was probably just someone's plus one who happened to be in the same photo.Another picture showed me outside a restaurant shaking hands with an older woman. Maria Castellano. Suspected of running an illegal gambling operation in Atlantic City. I'd never heard her name before in my life, Mr. Edwards told me to seal the deal for him since he is out of the country. She could have been anyone. A family friend. Someone's aunt. But Nathan made it look like I was conducting business with known criminals.More photos. More names. More allegations. Each one worse than the last.I stood in

Liam's POVElijah came around and drove me back to the compound but I couldn't stop thinking about what Monroe had said.Charles was behind everything. The investigation. The pressure on Claire. The war with the Ndrangheta. All of it traced back to one man who wanted to see the Rossi family destroyed.But why? What did Charles gain from tearing us apart?I was still trying to figure that out when Elijah's phone rang. He answered it then his face went pale."What?" I asked."That was the station. Charles is there. He's asking to see you."My hands tightened into fists. "Why would he want to see me?""I don't know. But they're saying he has information relevant to your case.""It's a trap.""Probably." Elijah glanced at me. "But if he's willing to talk on record it might help us figure out what he's planning."I thought about that for maybe ten seconds before telling Elijah to turn the car around. If Charles wanted to play games I'd play them. But I'd play to win.The station looked dif

Liam's POVWe sat in that storage facility for another hour before I knew what had to be done. The Ndrangheta had shown they could reach us anywhere. Charles had the police in his pocket. The media was destroying Claire's reputation. We were surrounded on all sides with enemies closing in.So we'd hit back and harder before anyone expected it."We need to go back to the safehouse," I told Elijah. "Everyone's still there on lockdown. We regroup. Plan our next move.""The compound?""No. The safehouse on the east side where everyone is currently." I started the car.Elijah nodded then pulled out his phone. "I'll let them know we're coming now."The drive took thirty minutes through empty streets. Most of the city was asleep by now. Just us and a few late night workers heading home.We pulled up at the safehouse and I could see the guards. At least ten of them were stationed around the perimeter. More inside probably. The family was taking security seriously now that people were dying.W

Liam's POVI made my decision around noon when most of the family was trying to rest before the operation. Michael would get his chance. One final chance to prove he'd really changed his mind about betraying me. But I wasn't stupid enough to just take his word for it.I found Ashley in one of the upstairs rooms going over maps of the gambling house in Chinatown. She looked up when I walked in."We need to talk," I said."About what?""Michael." I closed the door behind me. "I need you to do something during the operation tonight."Ashley set her papers down. "What kind of something?""Shadow him by staying close to him. I want you to watch everything he does." I kept my voice low so nobody passing in the hallway could hear. "If he makes any moves that look suspicious you stop him. Whatever it takes.""You think he's going to betray us?""I think he might or he might not. Either way I need someone watching him who won't hesitate if things go wrong."Ashley was quiet for a moment. "Why

Liam's POVI stared at Antonio trying to process what he'd just said. Michael had been feeding information to the Ndrangheta for two years. Long before any of this started. Long before Hargrove died. Long before the war began."Why?" I asked. "Why would Michael betray his own family for that long?"Antonio shifted in his chair. The zip ties around his wrists were cutting into his skin but he didn't seem to care. He wanted to talk. Wanted to trade information for whatever protection he thought I could offer."Michael didn't see it as betrayal," Antonio said. "He saw it as survival. As preparation for when everything fell apart.""That doesn't explain two years of spying.""No. But his history does." Antonio leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed. "Michael didn't grow up like most people in your family. He grew up with someone else. Someone who shaped him into what he became.""Who?""Mr. Ackerman."I remember that name. When I was almost captured, someone called me Mr. Ackerm