Chapter Sixteen
It had been a long time since Elodie took a day off from the boutique. It hadn’t been planned, but Charley was available to cover the shift. She needed a day to get her mind straight after the encounter at the market. Seeing Sal Caruso again triggered all the memories. A few details were fuzzy, but she had a fairly clear picture when she remembered that day years ago.
Elodie was left with so many unanswered questions and missing pieces. Her mother never spoke of it, and the few times Elodie brought it up, her mother refused to engage. Growing up, Elodie rarely thought about it, putting it in the back of her mind until it became almost non-existent. A few months ago when she had been going through her mother’s belongings, she came across Sal Caruso’s name on a ledger. Her mother kept everything, including her banking statements. Like clockwork, a cash payment had been deposited monthly. In her mother’s handwriting, his name was penciled in beside the amount. It didn’t take much digging to find him. One small picture from years ago triggered all her memories.
Elodie may have had some information, but she wanted more. And she knew just who to go to.
She started up the walkway to the familiar house. Madalyn wasn’t home. She had an early doctor’s appointment with her mother and would be taking full advantage of her house-break with lunch.
Chris usually worked later in the day and into the evening. Elodie didn’t know his schedule, but she took a chance stopping by. When she saw his truck in the driveway, she pulled in behind it.
Before she reached the top of the stairs, the door opened. Chris lifted his chin, eyeing her.
“Madalyn’s out with her mom. She had an appointment.”
Elodie sagged her shoulders and sighed dramatically. “That’s today? Oh damn.”
She wasn’t sure if she was pulling off the lie, but Chris didn’t seem to notice. She handed him a bag.
“This is her order from the market. They ran out of bread.” Elodie watched his jaw tighten. “And you get to be the one to tell her.”
Chris snorted, grabbing the edge of the door. “Thanks for dropping it off. I’m sure she’ll call you when she gets home.”
Elodie nodded but made no move to leave. Chris was a good man but not overly friendly. She needed a segue to keep this conversation going. She shifted on her feet, glancing past him and into the house. From her view she saw the television on in the background and a bottle on the coffee table. There it is.
“You need something else?”
Elodie smiled. “Well, I’m not gonna turn down a beer if you’re offering. And I won’t mention to Madz you’re breaking your pact of no alcohol while she’s pregnant.”
His brows furrowed, and his jaw squared. “That’s blackmail.”
“Yes, it is.”
Chris shook his head, but she caught the small smile on his lips as he widened the door. She walked inside and headed to the living room. She dropped her pocketbook on the recliner and sat. Chris walked into the kitchen and a minute later emerged with a bottle of beer. He offered it to her then sat across from her on the couch.
Elodie lifted the bottle. “Your secret is safe with me.” She took a swig and settled into the chair. “How’s work?”
He sipped his beer. “Good.”
“That’s good.” She took another sip. “Still working a lot of overtime?”
Chris cocked his head. “Yeah.”
“That’s great!” She peered across the room, searching for a way to get to her subject of choice.
“Elle?”
She glanced over at Chris.
“I’ve been a police officer for a long time. I’m good at reading people and situations. So instead of asking me bullshit questions that I know you don’t give a damn about, why don’t you tell me why you’re really here. And before you start with, ‘I came to see Madalyn,’ think twice. ’Cause not a day goes by where the two of you don’t talk at least three times. You knew she had an appointment and wouldn’t be home. Am I right?”
Fuck, he’s good.
“What’s going on, Elle?”
How could she spin this without raising any red flags? It wouldn’t be easy with Chris especially since he just blew up her whole plan. Elodie chose honesty.
“Can I pick your brain about Sal Caruso?”
“Oh Christ.” Chris sighed, shaking his head. “Can’t believe you two are still doing that shit.”
“It’s a new case.” Elodie smirked.
Chris narrowed his gaze. “For fuck’s sake, will you stop calling it that?”
Elodie battened down her chuckle. This was good. She’d keep it light.
“What do you want to know?”
Could it be this easy? She’d been convinced it would take more than asking to get anything from him.
“Really? I thought you were against sharing information with us.”
He spread out his arms, and his brows spiked. “Has that made a fucking difference? Still got my wife interrogating me on a nightly basis. I surrender. Now, what do you want to know?”
She clasped her hands around the bottle. “Was he really some type of crime boss or hitman or what?”
“Not on paper.”
“Well, what does that mean?” Elodie asked.
“Like you said from your own research , he was never convicted. Never did time.”
“But he was tied to a bunch of stuff, right?”
“Which means nothing unless you can prove it.” Chris took a sip of his beer. “For all we know, he’s a good guy.”
“He’s not!” Elodie blurted and immediately clamped her lips.
Chris eyed her and slowly lowered the bottle from his lips. “How do you know?”
Her heart rate spiked, acknowledging her mistake.
“I don’t, I’m just saying.” She licked her lips and cleared her throat.
“What are you saying, Elle?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “If you have all these people accusing you of stuff, some of it’s going to stick. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right?”
“Sometimes.” He sat up and braced his elbows on his knees, cupping his beer. “You seem really invested in this. It feels personal.”
She stilled, trying to mask her emotions. It is personal . But she refused to share that with anyone.
Elle scoffed. “I don’t even know Sal Caruso, so how can it…”
“Like I said before, I’ve been doing this a long time, Elle. And this feels personal.”
“Well, it’s not, so your Spidey-skills are off, obviously.” She forced a laugh and averted her eyes across the room. She needed to get out of there before she said something she’d regret.
“Well, I gotta get going. Dropping my uncle’s order off next.” She leaned over, placing her bottle on the table. “Tell Madz to call me when she gets a chance. I want to hear about her appointment.”
Chris stood. “Alright.”
Elodie walked to the foyer, and she heard his footsteps behind her. She opened the door and stepped out, eager to leave, but he called her name. Elodie slowly turned, finding Chris in the doorway.
“Sal Caruso? He was before my time on the force. That’s not to say I haven’t heard all the stories, the speculation and accusations. If half of them are true, then no, he’s not a good guy. But digging into someone like him isn’t gonna get you anywhere. Trust me, lots of people have tried, and they all failed. ’Cause the thing about Caruso is, if the rumors are true , he’s too powerful, has too many allies, and leads with fear. People who are scared don’t make great witnesses. And without them, it’s impossible to prosecute. ”
Elodie swallowed the lump in her throat and muttered. “That makes sense.”
“You alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, I just got a lot going on, but uh” —she walked down the steps— “thanks for the beer.” She waved but never turned back. She could feel his eyes on her. Elodie ignored it, pulling out of the driveway and heading to her uncle’s house. It was only a twenty-minute ride, but it felt longer.
Elodie pulled into the driveway behind the red pickup truck. It was her Uncle Hank’s prized possession. Like some men, he was an automobile guy. He loved cars, old and new, was well known at the local Coffees and Cars events held at the fairgrounds. He could fix any issue. Even to this day, Elodie couldn’t remember a time when she had to take her car to the mechanic.
Elodie smiled, hooking the bag from the market over her arm and staring at the red truck.
It was a crapshoot where she’d find Hank. He rarely watched television and had a hard time sitting in one place. He was always moving, always doing something when she was a child. Half of her memories with him were going on adventures.
Elodie was walking toward the front walkway when she heard the leaf blower in the back yard. She changed direction and rounded the house. When wasn’t he doing yard work? She walked along the side of the house, waving her arm until he saw her. A huge smile spread across his face.
He shut down the equipment, and she met him on the paved patio.
“How’s my girl?”
His girl. It’s the same phrase he’d been using for as long as she could remember. Her uncle had never married or had children of his own. An eternal bachelor.
He placed his hand on her back, rubbing in a circular motion, and she immediately fell into the crook of his arm. “I’ve got your unhealthy but delectable order from the Market.”
Hank chuckled, grabbed the bag from her hand, and lead her to the table. “You got time for an iced tea?”
Elodie sat down and arched her brow. “I thought your doctor told you to give up sugary drinks.”
“Yeah, he did. Now, do you want one?”
Elodie snickered. “Yes, please.”
She scanned the yard while waiting on her uncle. She and her mother had spent a lot of time at her uncle’s house. Her family may have been small, but they were tight.
“Here you go.” He placed the glass in front of her and sat adjacent. “So kiddo, what’s on your mind?”
Kiddo. It was corny and outdated. And somehow, it was comforting. Exactly what she needed right now.
She glanced over. “What makes you think…”
He held up his hand. “I’ve known you since you were three hours old. What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the past.” She clasped her hands. “Was my father a good guy?”
He shrugged. “Depends on who you ask, I guess.”
“I’m asking you.”
He sipped his drink and licked his lips, clearly stalling.
“Come on, Uncle Hank. Tell me.”
He sighed, pulling off his ballcap and scratching his head. “Not a man on earth I despised more than Eddie Burns.”
She knew very little about her father. The memories she had were few and far between. And none of them were great. He’d been in and out of her life. Even when he was around, he wasn’t interested in doing fatherly things with her.
“He wasn’t good to your mom, and he wasn’t good to you.” Her uncle paused, shifting in his seat. “Wasn’t good to a lot of people.”
“I don’t remember much except yelling.” She bit her lip, thinking back in time. “He was always mad at something.”
Hank cleared his throat then flattened his lips, staring off at the yard. Elodie had a feeling her uncle wouldn’t voluntarily give anything up. But she really wanted to know.
“What do you remember?” she asked.
After a few seconds of silence, she was sure he wouldn’t answer. But he did.
“I remember the bruises, black eyes, and sprained wrists. And watching over you while a friend took her to the emergency room.” He paused. “She was planning on leaving him, but there were always setbacks. He stole the money she was saving, then she got laid off and had to get a new job. The amount of times I wanted to put him in the grave myself but she begged me not to. Said it would only make it worse. Offered for her and you to come stay with me but she worried that if she left, he’d try to get visitation or custody of you outta spite. Couldn’t trust Eddie, and she wouldn’t risk it with you.” He shook his head. “Him dying probably saved her life.”
Her chest tightened as a blanket of sadness washed over her.
“Yeah,” Elodie whispered, fighting against the pain ripping through her heart. Everything her mother had endured was for Elodie. She hadn’t realized it as a child, but when she was much older, she’d suspected there’d been some type of abuse in her mother’s past. Now, it was confirmed. A tear streamed down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away with her shoulder.
“Not the kind of dad she wanted for you,” he muttered.
As much as she wanted the truth, it was taking a toll on her uncle. As her mother’s brother, he was her protector. It had to have been hard not to step in and help her. But he couldn’t. Still, his guilt was obvious. Elodie wasn’t the only person to carry a traumatic burden through the years. We all did.
“My mom never talked about him after he died.”
Hank shrugged. “Most people don’t talk ill of the dead. Your mom wouldn’t have had many nice things to say about him. She used to tell me she wanted to regret the day she ever met him. But” —her uncle grabbed her hand— “then she wouldn’t have you. Never saw a mother love her kid as much as she loved you.”
Her eyes instantly welled.
“She hated that you watched him die.”
What? Elodie’s mouth fell open, and she squeezed his hand. It had been so ingrained to never speak of it. It was surreal to hear her uncle say it without hesitation.
“She told you?”
“When she got diagnosed. Told me about the break in and you seeing him get shot. She said she was scared that if you reported what you saw, the intruders might come back.”
She didn’t tell you everything. Her mother had clearly left out the identity of the intruders .
“She did what she believed was right, and I probably would’ve done the same. Keeping you safe was her only priority.”
Elodie was internally struggling with the revelations. Her mom sacrificed, endured brutality, and survived, all the while protecting her. That’s where her focus should’ve been. It was eating her up that everything she was feeling for her mother was somehow being clouded. Her father didn’t deserve an ounce of emotion from her. But…
“He was a monster,” she whispered, and her voice cracked. “So why do I feel bad for him?”
Her mind was seeing it play in real time. Her father had looked so scared and helpless, as if he knew he was going to die.
Her uncle leaned closer and wiped the tears from her cheek. “Your empathy is a testament to who you are, not who he was.”
He continued to hold her hand as they sat in silence. It may have been seconds, or minutes, or hours. She had no idea. She completely lost track of time.
“It’s getting late. How about I make us some dinner? I got clean sheets in the spare room if you wanna stay the night.”
Elodie smiled turning to her uncle. “I should be going. I’m opening tomorrow.”
“The fancy shop owner. One of these days, I’m gonna get my ass down there and do some shopping. I get the family discount, right?”
Elodie chuckled and stood, tucking in her chair. “Of course.”
She hugged her uncle, holding on tighter than usual. Elodie couldn’t have asked for a better man to step into the shoes of a duty that wasn’t his to begin with.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“You were more of a dad to me than he ever was.”
“And better looking.”
She chuckled, hugging Hank tighter before letting him go. She grabbed her bag and started through the yard, but suddenly stopped when a thought popped into her head. She spun around.
“Uncle Hank?”
“Yeah, kiddo?”
“They never found the person or people who killed my father, right?”
The tension in his face was evident, and he looked down at the table, grabbing the glasses.
“Nope.”
“Were there ever any suspects?”
“Nope.”
Why won’t he look at me?
“You ever wonder who might’ve done it?”
“Nope, ’cause like I said, him dying probably saved her life.” Her uncle straightened and glanced at her. “We all have to pay for our sins one way or another. And your father had a lot.”
He gave her a short wave and headed toward the back door without another word.
****
Oz grabbed the phone, answering without looking at the screen.
“Yes?”
“Miss me?”
Just the sound of her voice sent heat through his veins. It had been two days since they’d spoken, only exchanging messages with Elodie giving an array of excuses for her absence. She’d mentioned not feeling well and covering for an absentee employee. All lies. It might’ve been believable had Oz not had all the intel. Her sudden distance coincided with her run-in with Sal.
Oz settled in his chair at his desk and reached for his glass, taking a sip of his whiskey.
“Your silence is concerning.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “I wouldn’t have to miss you if you’d come by last night.”
She chuckled. “So you admit you do miss me?”
Yes.
He jerked his gaze to the door when he heard the knock. Nash stepped inside his office.
Oz pointed to the phone, and Nash mouthed, “Trey and Rogue just arrived.”
It wasn’t the best timing, but Oz couldn’t delay the meeting. He was the one who’d insisted on it. Oz held up a finger, and Nash gave a sharp nod, exiting the room.
“I have a meeting. I’ll see you at the house after ten.” Oz wasn’t asking. He’d allowed her space given the circumstances, but he’d gone too long without seeing her.
“I’m opening tomorrow.”
Oz ground his teeth. “Elodie.”
“Tomorrow, I promise,” she blurted. “I’m only working until one, so I’ll come by the club. I have a little surprise for you.”
Oz stilled. “I don’t do surprises.”
“Unfortunately for you, I do.” She snickered. “See you tomorrow.”
Elodie hung up, and he tossed his phone on the desk. He stood and walked to the door. Rogue and Trey were at the opposite end of the hallway. When Trey glanced over, Oz waved him to the office.
The meeting with Sal exposing the truth, was something that had to be addressed. All signs were pointing to Elodie not knowing the connection between him and Sal. But it was only a matter of time before she found out. The Situation was complicated. He would never turn his back on Sal. But he wasn’t willing to give up Elodie. He’d find a middle ground.
Rogue walked in and made a beeline for the bar in the corner. Trey followed but veered toward the couch and dipped his chin in greeting. Oz took his seat in the chair across from the couch. When Rogue sat, Oz lit a cigar.
“So? What the fuck is going on? And if you even mention Killcreek, I’m gonna lose my shit and leave! We’ve done everything they fucking asked, so fuck them!”
Oz had come to a monetary agreement with Ace. They’d be compensated for use of land in their territory. It was a fair deal, and everyone was in agreement. Except Rogue.
“Those degenerate motherfuckers don’t deserve anything. It’s our fucking state!”
Enough.
Oz held up his hand. “This isn’t about Killcreek.”
Rogue simmered down, though he was still heated. The MC was a trigger for his brother, and that would never cease.
“But while we’re on the subject of the poker house,” Trey said. “We’ve got the construction crew pulling double time, and it should be ready in the next month or two. Rogue and I will be taking a ride up in two weeks. I’d like you to join us.”
Oz gave a nod and ignored Rogue’s blatant eye roll. Trey knew the business and that it was better to have a few eyes on the project. One person couldn’t foresee problems or catch all the mistakes. Rogue’s outlook was different, leaning on the side of territorial.
“Alright, so why the fuck are we here, Oz?”
Oz glanced between Rogue and Trey.
“Elodie.”
Rogue furrowed his brows. “What about her? New development?”
It would be new for them.
“About a month ago, she came to the club with a few friends celebrating her birthday.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” Rogue asked.
“Because there was nothing to tell. We’d done a full background check on her. No red flags or connection to Sal at the time.”
“You think it was just coincidence?” Trey shifted to the edge of the couch.
“I wasn’t convinced at first, so I did some investigating of my own. Spent some time with her.”
Trey cocked his head. “What do you mean, ‘spent some time with her?’”
Oz lifted his cigar to his lips, eyeing Rogue, whose brows shot up. He was clearly reading between the lines.
“Wait, hold the fuck up.” Rogue’s lip curled. “Are you fucking her?”
The heat shot through his veins, and he sent a sharp warning glare at his brother. “Watch yourself, Rogue.”
Rogue snorted, which rolled into a laugh. “Well, that’s a fucking yes.”
“Rogue,” Trey snapped.
“I’m not missing the opportunity to point out the fucking irony here.” Rogue smirked. “Weren’t you the one who told me I needed to do a better job vetting the women I take to my bed?”
Rogue’s gloating was weighing on his last nerve, but Oz kept his composure.
Oz found his own irony in this conversation and didn’t hesitate to point it out. “As I recall, neither of you were very forthcoming with Dahlia or Quinn.”
“They also didn’t have a vendetta against Sal. Well, this gives new fucking meaning to keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” Rogue taunted.
“And what vendetta would that be exactly?” Oz glanced over at Nash, who stood quietly. “Please share once again with my brother. We didn’t find any connection between her and Sal, at the time .”
“But there is one, Oz. You weren’t there that night at the restaurant. She fucking knew Sal. That bitch had nothing but silent venom for him.”
“Watch your fucking mouth, Rogue.” Oz snapped, pointing at his brother. “That’s the last warning you get.”
The room was drowned in silence. It was rare Oz ever lost his temper, but he wouldn’t allow anyone, including his brother, to call her anything other than her name.
“When did you end it with her?” Trey asked but Oz kept his glare directed at Rogue.
“I didn’t.”
Rogue’s lips twisted. “You’re not gonna cut her loose, are you?”
It was the moment of truth and Oz didn’t hesitate.
“No.”
Rogue snorted and spread out his arms. “Then what’s the fucking plan, Oz? Sal told you the connection, and you’re fucking tied to it. You took one of the shots at her father. You think if that ever comes to light she’s not gonna care? Piece of shit as he was, it’s her fucking dad. It takes a whole lot of forgiveness in your fucking heart for that one.”
His delivery needed work, but Rogue had a point. Oz cupped his mouth, tapping the ashes from his cigar into the ashtray.
“That’s not necessarily true.”
Oz glanced over at Nash, who stood ten feet away. Up until now, he’d been silent, merely observing.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Rogue asked.
Nash stepped forward. “You don’t hold it against Quinn for playing a part in the Killcreek member’s death, do you?”
“That’s fucking different.”
Nash shrugged. “Fair enough. Would you hold it against Quinn if she killed your parents knowing the type of people they were?”
It was an interesting twist, but one Rogue could relate to.
“I’m fucking done with this conversation,” Rogue snapped without answering the question, though they all knew the answer. Neither Rogue nor Oz would’ve held a grudge against anyone who took out their parents.
Rogue stalked through the room, stopping beside Nash.
“Next fucking meeting, you’re not invited.”
Nash smirked, raising his brow. “It’s always a pleasure, Rogue.”
Oz caught the slight smile on Rogue’s lips. While he’d never admit it, he’d found a new perspective on Nash thanks to Quinn. But Rogue loved to play the part of the asshole.
“Fuck you.” Rogue walked out without another word.
“Well, that’s my cue.” Trey stood, buttoning his jacket. “Whatever you need from us, just let me know.”
Oz wasn’t surprised that Trey would back and support his decision. Once he walked out the door Oz looked up at Nash. He’d unknowingly given Oz a strategy.
“I need you to get me everything on Eddie Burns.” Oz narrowed his gaze. “Everything.”
This secret wouldn’t stay hidden forever. It couldn’t if he wanted Elodie in his life. Oz wasn’t about to give her up, which meant he’d have to lay it all out for her.