“Welcome back, boss,” Danny said from the opposite side of the car.
Mick Sinatra didn’t respond. Which didn’t bother Danny. He was accustomed to it. But as Mick bent his tall body and began to climb into the backseat of his limousine, Carissa couldn’t help herself. She wasn’t accustomed to rudeness and was never going to be. “I’m Carissa Caine, Mr. Sinatra,” she said.
Danny stretched his eyes in amazement, stunned that she would go there. Mick stopped his progression into the vehicle, stood back up, and looked, not at Carissa, but at Danny.
“Mr. Stefani sent her over, sir. To keep it in the family. Deuce took ill and we needed a driver on short notice.”
“And that’s me,” Carissa said, undaunted. “Your new driver.”
Mick looked at her, but she had supreme confidence. She never drove for a guy she didn’t fuck, and this guy was not going to be any different. “I may look young, but I’ve got a wealth of experience. Driving experience, that is,” she added, with another smile and a coquettish jerk of her hair.
Mick Sinatra looked at her with such a chilling look that it made her want to take a step back. But she held her ground.
Mick held his too. “And I need this information why?”
She swallowed hard. The thought that he would just as soon slit her throat than answer her questions, as Danny had warned her, suddenly didn’t seem as implausible as she had assumed. “Since I’m a new face, sir, I thought you’d want to know who I am.”
“Daniel told me who you are.”
She swallowed again. “Why, yes, sir. Yes, he did. But I wanted to let you know also. I’m your driver for today.”
“Then shut the fuck up and drive,” Mick said bluntly, showing no compassion whatsoever. He stared at her a moment longer, attempting to decide if he should leave her where she stood. But Teddy wouldn’t send over anybody less than the best. He got into his limousine.
Carissa’s heart fell through her shoe. “Yes, sir,” she said, and closed the door.
As she stood there, still struck by that look she saw in his unfeeling eyes, Danny angrily motioned for her to get her ass behind the wheel. When she did so, he hurriedly got onto the front passenger seat beside her. And waited for their boss to pronounce his displeasure. But Mick didn’t say a word. Maybe because the car phone began ringing. Maybe because he didn’t give a fuck. Danny could never tell with Mick.
“Speak,” Danny said when he answered the phone.
Mick folded his legs and sat quietly in the backseat. Carissa glanced through the rearview mirror, looking at him, as he sat with such a peaceful demeanor it confused her. No fumbling with his smartphone. No flipping through papers. Nothing. He seemed perfectly content to enjoy the peace and quiet without interruption. Until Danny had no choice but to interrupt.
He hung up the car phone and pressed the intercom button quickly. “We’ve got trouble, boss.”
That pronouncement along caused Mick to look toward the front of his limousine. “And what might that be?”
“A hit.”
“Who?”
“Flo’s compound.”
Carissa, still looking through the rearview, saw a slight, but noticeable reaction on Mick’s face. Was this Flo his woman?
“How many fell?” Mick asked.
Danny turned his face toward the back of the limo. It was only then could Mick see the terror in his man’s eyes. “Everybody, sir,” Danny said.
Mick’s heart slammed against his chest. He pointed forward. “Go,” he ordered.
Danny looked at Carissa. “Drive,” he ordered, and Carissa proved why Teddy Stefani sent her over in the first place. She drove. She took direction from Danny and flew through the streets of Philadelphia as if she was driving a bat out of hell. She knew when to keep it fast and when to play it safe. She managed what should have been a twenty-five minute drive in less than fifteen.
Cars were everywhere outside of the secluded estate, and as the limo approached the broken down security gate, Mick could see the guards he employed lying dead in pools of their own blood. Other guards were there now, Mick’s men also, in case the attackers decided to return.
But despite the carnage outside, Carissa was experienced enough to know that the guards were not the concern. This Flo person and everybody else inside that house were. That was why she didn’t slow down. That was why she sped past the dead guards and the new guards and drove up to the front double doors of the expansive, secluded home.
Carissa knew to stay put, with the motor running, in case they required a fast getaway. Mick and Danny hurried out of the vehicle. Carissa was surprised to see that Mister Cool Sinatra already had his gun drawn, as if he didn’t rely on anybody else to do his fighting for him, as he made his way up the numerous steep steps that led to the front door.