Free Braden: A Dark Mafia Romance by Adora York Page B

him out before he tells her anything.”  Stefano reached for a silencer and started attaching it to his gun as he balanced the wheel.
    “I should have just fucking killed him.”  I slammed my hand into the dashboard again.  “Damn it!”
    “Why didn’t you?  You got everything you needed from him.”  Stefano stuffed his gun back into his jacket.
    “His death wasn’t necessary.  He didn’t know who we were.  Even if he did figure it out, he would have been too afraid to talk, and he wouldn’t have known where he was being held.  There would have been no evidence.”  I clenched my jaw as my anger rose up again.
    “Well he sure as fuck knows now.”  Stefano turned onto Angela’s street and killed the headlights.
    “Yeah, now he’s on a crusade to save the woman he loves.  Now he’s fucking dangerous.”  I wasn’t sure if I was talking about Ronald or myself. 
    I seethed as I saw her townhouse over the hill.  The lights were off which suggested nobody was home or they were asleep.  The upstairs windows were open which was strange for this time of year.  It had been a mild December, but even a mild New York winter was too cold for them to just stand open.  I kept my trained eyes scanning the perimeter of the area, looking for any sign of Ronald.  I wondered if we were wrong—could he have gone to his own house instead of Angela’s place?  Stefano had already called others to stand guard there and at his work, but this was the most logical place in my mind.  I knew he was head over heels for his best friend, and he knew I was after her.  He would want to warn her.  It was what I would do if I was in his situation.  There was still another possible option—the best option—that he was so scared he bought a plane ticket straight to Siberia and would never be heard from again.
    “There’s a car coming.”  Stefano pointed and we both slumped down in our seats.
    The car pulled up to the front of the townhouse and the door opened.  “District Attorney Madison…”  I said angrily.
    “Steady yourself, Braden.”  Stefano put a hand on my arm.  “He’s smiling and laughing with his family.  He doesn’t know anything.”
    I watched as District Attorney Madison, his wife, and his other daughter, Danielle walked up the steps towards the door.  I didn’t see the door open before they got there, and I didn’t see anyone rush out to meet them, so I was certain Ronald wasn’t there.  It was entirely possible Angela didn’t even go home after what happened between us.  Ronald could have come, found the house empty, and went on his way.  If that was the case, he would surely get caught in one of our nets.  Nobody could hide in our city for long without someone from the Family finding them.  We would just have to wait it out and see what happened.  I closed my eyes for a moment and felt the weight of the whole situation descending on me.  Everything that had happened was my fault, and I was going to have to live with the outcome, even if that meant Angela had to die in the process.
     
    Chapter 11:  Angela
     
    An hour earlier
     
    The vodka had started to settle into my blood.  I was vaguely aware that my parents would be coming home soon.  I would have to crawl into bed and close the windows.  My whole room was cold, but I didn’t care.  I lit another cigarette and blew the smoke towards the window.  I had been smart about men my whole life or at least Ronald was there to make sure I didn’t do something stupid and go home with an asshole like Braden.  I felt tears start to well up in my eyes, but I forced them back and internalized that hurt.  Why did I feel something for Braden anyway?  All he had done was treat me like shit.  I barely knew him and the only thing I truly liked about him—his cock—wasn’t worth the hurt he inflicted with his words and his actions.  I lay there in my silent rage until I heard a noise.
    “Angela!  Angela!”  A voice cried