Chapter 55
Maximo
Blake Baron flashes on my caller ID. I answer it as I continue to drive to the rendezvous location. “Yeah?”
“What in the hell are you doing?” he drawls as if he’s already bored with this conversation. “Trying to get yourself killed?”
“What do you mean?” Did Cian tell him what’s going on?
“Niall told me everything. Why are you meeting Lazaro for an exchange that will never happen? You’re sacrificing yourself for nothing. Don’t be stupid.”
I glower at the road, annoyed at the way he speaks to me. “I don’t know that for sure. He could have her there, and if I don’t show up, he’ll kill her. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”
“And what if she’s not there?”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “Then I’m fucked.”
“You’re not very good at asking for help, are you, Pontrelli?” Baron sighs. “That arrogance will get you in trouble.”
I’m pretty sure it already has, but I don’t tell him that. I don’t need him to make me feel worse than I already do.
“Are you offering to help?” I growl.
“Maybe.”
“What will it cost me this time? You want another open-ended favor from me?”
“Oh shut up, you make me sound like some sort of villain. Niall gave me the address of the Achilli’s brothers destination.
We know where they are hiding out. Since you can’t be in two places at once, I’ll bring some men and check it out while you go meet Lazaro. Since you’re dead set on doing that.”
The vice around my chest loosens an inch. “I really appreciate it—”
“Don’t get emotional on me, Pontrelli. I don’t do emotions.”
I huff out a chuckle. “Noted. One more thing… Lazaro didn’t just take Elena, he took someone else too. You and your men are looking for two women, not one.”
“Who’s the other one?”
I only hesitate for a moment with this vital information. “Julianna Pontrelli. My sister.”
“Would this be your dead sister?”
“How did you know—?”
“Information is my currency. Though no one told me she came back to life. How interesting.”
I grit my teeth. “Just make sure she’s safe.”
“I’ll pass along that information.” The call ends before I can thank him. Not that he cares. Blake Baron doesn’t seem big on pleasantries. I owe him for his help though.
This whole situation with Julianna’s getting out of control. I can’t keep her identity hidden without putting her at risk. By the time this is over who knows how many people will have her name. Will know she’s alive.
Damn it. Cat’s out of the bag now.
Hiding her away after this is going to be a real headache.
If Nero doesn’t know where she is, he will now.
People don’t often come back to life. Nero will know exactly how we deceived him.
It’s only a matter of time before he lands in Manhattan.
Before he comes to punish all of us, and steal away my sister.
But I can’t think about that right now. I have to stay focused on the present.
The dashboard screen lights up with Niall’s text. Finally, he sends me Niccolò and Dario’s location. But Blake’s right, I can’t be in two places at once. And fucking hell am I putting a lot of faith in Blake to rescue Julianna. If anyone can do it, it’s him and my other in-laws.