Chapter 34
As soon as I get Lola out of that place, I call Giovani and tell him to finish off Rick.
I know I said I’d think about it, but after everything that happened, there’s nothing to think about.
No one who messes with the people I love gets away with it—especially not when it involves the woman I chose to spend my life with.
At home, Lola takes a shower and I bring her some broth that Yná made. I sit across from her and she smiles.
I give her a serious look.
“Are you really okay?”
“Yes, I missed you so much, Lorenzo.”
I hug her.
“I was in agony imagining you’d run off with another man.”
“I would never do that. I’m crazy about you,” she says, looking at me.
“And I’m crazy about you. But honestly, I want to smack your butt. How could you—knowing you’re in danger—answer a call from someone you don’t even know and just do whatever they say?”
“I was really stupid, wasn’t I? But they used Sofi’s name. You know I love that girl more than anything in the world.”
“Yes, I know, but now everything’s fine. It’s all resolved. Accioly took care of the Veronica problem.”
I notice her swallow hard.
“Did he kill her?” she asks.
“I have no idea, but he said she won’t bother anyone anymore, so I’ll take his word for it.”
Of course I knew he had killed her—he called and told me as soon as I got there. Lola finishes eating, and I take the plate.
“I’ll let you rest here. I’m heading to the office—come down whenever you feel like it. I’m going to schedule a doctor’s appointment for you so we can make sure you’re really okay, and I’ll have them bring the girls home.”
“Okay.”
I go to her and kiss her passionately.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I leave and head to the office. I request a meeting with Paolo, Marco, and Giovani, and schedule Lola’s appointment for two days from now. Then I get to work on some things that have been pending.
We meet up and head to another location to execute our plan.
The abandoned warehouse sits far from the city center and away from prying eyes. Surrounded by deserted streets with only two easily controlled entrances, we chose this place because we know the area fairly well—it gives us the advantage.
I arrive early with my team. Other men are positioned at the blind spots, ready to intervene if anything gets out of control.
I adjust the gun at my waist and look around. The shadows cast by piles of empty boxes and rusty equipment create the perfect backdrop for what’s about to go down.
“Marco, everything set? Is the guy coming?” I’m on edge.
“Calm down, he’s coming. It’s not time yet.” Marco plays with his blessed dagger.
“I’m going to stay inside so he doesn’t see me.”
I slip into a cubicle where I can clearly see the movement outside without being seen.
The two guys arrive soon. We’re all hidden—Paolo inside the truck cab, and Marco and Giovani tucked away somewhere I can’t even see.
When they start loading, Creta begins unloading merchandise and setting it aside in a separate box. Marco and Giovani step in—my brother, the capo of the organization, punches his own palm while Marco spins his dagger. He walks slowly and silently.
“So it looks like we caught the sneaky little thief?” Giovani says mockingly.
Creta startles, dropping everything on the floor.
“Giovani and Marco, what are you doing here?” He’s incredulous.
“We came to clarify some things,” Marco announces.
I step in and the guy turns red. I get right up in his face.
“You walked right into our trap like sitting ducks. Did you really think you could pull something like this in my organization and just walk away? You’ve been sabotaging everyone’s work. And today, it ends.”
I give a signal, and two of my soldiers approach.
“Take his accomplice to watch what happens to traitors.”
They quickly grab his partner, sit him down in a chair, and tie him up.
Giovani ties Creta to another chair with his hands behind his back. I have to admit, I’m eager to get some truths out of him.
I approach and look him right in the face.
“We can do this quick or very slow—it’s up to you, Creta. You can start by telling us where you stashed the weapons you stole from us.”
“And the drinks too,” Paolo adds, walking up.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lies.
I give him a sarcastic smile and punch him in the stomach.
“Maybe this will help you remember.”
“I don’t know anything.”
Giovani approaches and brandishes brass knuckles.
“Think this might jog your memory?”
My brother raises the brass knuckles and the man speaks quickly.
“The drinks weren't me, it was Ver?nica Marques.”
The revelation catches me off guard. Not that I didn't think Ver?nica was capable of everything she did, but I wanted to understand what the hell happened to her to make her go so bad.
“But you were accomplices,” Marco states.
“We're lovers.”
Paolo lets out a sarcastic laugh.
“So you don't know?”
“Know what?” He stares at Paolo.
“You're a widower—Don Accioly took care of your favorite wicked woman.”
“What? No. It can't be,” the man nearly shouts. It's pitiful—he's in love.