POV: Leo
The world narrowed to the video feed on his screen and the silence after the call ended. Two problems had just smashed together on Sophie Clarke's porch, creating a third, more explosive one. Mark's personal rage. Vitelli's professional taunt. A civilian and a gangster, about to collide with his people in the middle.
Ava was beside him now, her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror at the image of her sister backing away from Mark. "Leo, please."
"Quiet." The word came out sharper than he intended. He needed to think. Every second was a move on the board.
He grabbed his phone and dialed a different number. His man is watching Sophie's house. It picked up on the first ring. "Status," Leo barked.
"Subject McCarthy is on the porch with the sister. He's agitated but not yet physical. Two unknowns in a gray van parked three houses down. Vitelli's men, I presume. They're watching. They've made no move."
"The sister?"
"Scared. Talking. She's holding her ground."
