Chapter Eighteen
Elodie rushed down the street and pulled into the driveway, coming inches from hitting Chris’s truck. Luckily, she slammed on her brakes, missing a collision by inches. Her heart was pounding as she got out and ran up the front steps. Chris was waiting in the doorway
“Come on in,” Chris said, and she followed him inside.
She darted her gaze around the living room. “Where’s Madalyn? Is she okay?”
“She’s out with her mother.”
What? She spun around, widened her eyes, and rested her hand on her chest. “Your text message said it was an emergency. What’s going on?”
He folded his arms standing a few away. “Madalyn asked if I could take Monday night off because she wants to have you and your new boyfriend over for dinner.”
Elodie stilled. She’d been trying to make plans with Oz for dinner at their house, but every time she suggested a date, he was unavailable. Elodie sensed Madalyn’s growing frustration. On their last text thread, Elodie mentioned Monday since the club was closed, but she hadn’t spoken with Oz yet.
Elodie knew Madalyn was eager to meet Oz, but this was next level.
“ This is your emergency?” Elodie snapped, glaring at him.
With her best friend’s pregnancy involving some possible issues, Elodie’s mind had gone to the worst case scenario when she’d gotten the call from Chris. Now that she knew Madalyn was fine, Elodie was beyond livid. “Did Madz put you up to this?”
He scowled. “She doesn’t know you’re here.”
What? She could count on one hand the number of times she’d been alone with Chris. Even then it was usually her showing up early to meet Madalyn, who was running late.
“Why am I here, Chris?”
“Like I said. Madalyn told me I needed to take Monday night off. She said you and your new boyfriend are coming over for dinner. Oz? He owns the X-Lounge club downtown?” His tone was sharp and accusatory. His jaw squared and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
She knitted her brows and folded her arms. “I haven’t finalized the plans with Oz yet but...”
“For fuck’s sake!” Chris shouted and his face turned a bright shade of red. The lines on his forehead creased and he was outraged. She’d seen Chris angry but not to this degree.
Elodie held up her hands. “Chris, I don’t….
? “First your interest in Sal Caruso, and now you’re seeing Oz? What the fuck are you doing, Elle?”
What?
“What does Caruso have to do with Oz?”
Chris flinched as if she’d struck him. He grasped his hips, staring intently at her.
It was impossible keeping up with this conversation. His line of questioning was all over the place and hard to follow. First Oz, and now Sal Caruso? She was confused.
“You have no idea, do you?”
Elodie widened her eyes. “About what you’re referring to? Not a clue, Chris.”
“Fuck,” he muttered, cupping his mouth.
Chris drew in a breath and grabbed a folder on the small desk in the corner. He tossed it on the coffee table.
“Wanted to know about Sal Caruso, right?” He pointed at the table. “There’s a list miles long of crimes with a suspected connection to Sal Caruso. Not one charge. No convictions, no prison time. It’s like you said ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ Unless, of course, you’re Sal Caruso. He spent his whole life living behind a smoke screen. On paper, he’s a retired entrepreneur.” His lips twisted. It was easy to read the disgust on his features and in his tone. “An old guy who’s living out his life in a nondescript old folks home spending his days playing pickle ball, helping his buddy organize social events, and hitting on seventy-year-old women at the lunch table.” Chris lifted his chin, gesturing to the folder in front of her. “Wanna know what you won’t find in there? The truth. Sal Caruso ran this state for decades. Every single illegal operation, he had his hands in. He profited off all of it. Enough to pay off everyone. And those he couldn’t? Those people with a moral compass who refused to be a pawn in his business? Well, let’s just say, nobody talks about them.”
Elodie felt a tight knot forming in her throat.
“Sal built his empire from the ground up. There wasn’t anyone before him. He’s the mastermind behind the Underground. That’s what it’s called. But when people mention the Underground, they usually whisper.” Chris paused. “Gotta give Sal credit though. He made connections, brought in outsiders, and created this huge army that spans not only this state but others too. He had all these people working under him but only kept a select few close. His brother Jimmy being one of them. As they expanded, Jimmy wanted more power, to run his own state. Only fair, right? You put in the time, you want a promotion. But there can only be one king in the Underground, and Sal wasn’t gonna step down. Jimmy decided if he wasn’t given the power, he’d take it. Confided in his second in command that he was planning on taking out Sal. Two days later, the police are called to an abandoned warehouse. They find Jimmy with a bullet to the back of his head. Execution style.” Chris sighed. “They never did find the killer, and yet somehow, it’s a closed case.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Other guys on the force, though everything is always off the record . You won’t find any of that in the files.”
Elodie slowly nodded. “Well, I appreciate you sharing with me.”
She wasn’t exactly sure why though. Chris had never been this forthcoming.
“There’s more.”
Elodie raised her brows.
“Sal ran the Underground for decades. Most thought of him as invincible, but he wasn’t. Eventually, even he knew he’d have to walk away. With organizations like the Underground, there’s a hierarchy. Next in line kind of thing. There were several guys who’d been with Sal from the beginning. Natural process would have them stepping into Sal’s role. But he went off script. Sal had this young guy, a protégé. Been with Sal for a long time and completely loyal. Some think he was the one who took Jimmy out on Sal’s orders, but it’s never been confirmed. From what I understand, this kid became like a son to Sal, something he’d never had. When he stepped down, he named Lorenzo Scavo as his replacement.” Chris paused, scanning her face. “Sound familiar?”
Elodie knitted her brows and shook her head. She’d never heard of him.
“You know him as Oz.”
What? No, that couldn’t be right. Impossible. If what Chris was saying had any merit, that meant Oz not only knew Sal, but was close to him. So close he named Oz as his replacement? No, this didn’t make any sense.
“Wait.” Elodie held up her hands, shaking her head. Oz was the owner of the X-Lounge. He’d mentioned a few other companies and property. He was an entrepreneur not a criminal. “He’s a club owner, Chris.”
“Yeah, he is, among other things. Oz runs the biggest illegal criminal organization in the state. And he learned everything he knows from Caruso. You asked me why Sal never saw the inside of a courtroom? It’s the same reason Oz hasn’t, and probably never will. They got a lot of people on their payroll. And the ones they don’t are too scared to dig deeper or to go after them.” He paused, and his eyes softened. “Even I know better than to ask questions.”
No. She had no explanation of her own, but she couldn’t fathom the picture Chris just painted was the truth. Elodie bit her lip, shaking her head.
“No. You’re wrong,” she whispered. The second the words slipped past her lips, an onset of visions played in her mind. It was as if all the small things she’d questioned about Oz came at her in the form of a tsunami. The security, his authority, eating in the back room of the restaurant, Garner, his home. It hadn’t made sense, and she ignored it. But now? The blood drained from her face. Her head grew heavy, and she swayed. Elodie reached out, grabbed the back of the recliner, and dug her fingers into the leather. There had to be a mistake. She turned to Chris.
“I know him,” she whispered.
Elodie had bared her soul to him. She slept beside him feeling safer than she’d ever been.
Chris shook his head. “You don’t know anything about him, Elle. He’s not who you think he is.”
“Chris, I—” She drew in a breath, unsure of anything.
“A few years ago, we had this case. A wife reported her husband and brother missing. Had a few witnesses who saw them. These were good leads. The next day, the investigation was completely shut down. Couldn’t get answers from anyone except a direct order to stop investigating. But I couldn’t let it go. So, I looked into it myself. Found out they were affiliated with organized crime. That’s when it all made sense. One of the first things I learned when joining the force is the Underground has their own rules. An unspoken code that if it happens in their world, they handle it. And we look the other way.” Chris dug his hands into his pockets. “But nothing happens in the Underground without Oz knowing about it.” Chris paused. “ Nothing .”
*
Elodie should’ve waited until she’d processed everything. It had to be a mistake. Everything in her mind was hazy and blurred, but the facts were there. At least Chris’s facts. She’d never known him to be a liar and couldn’t figure out his motives. It didn’t make sense, nor did his claims. Oz, King of the Underground? No.
Elodie pulled into the back lot of the X-Lounge. The car was barely in park when she opened the door and got out.
While they hadn’t been together very long, she knew him. Elodie had opened up to Oz in a way she hadn’t with anyone else. I know him .
Then why not call him? Not once did she consider calling him with the information Chris had shared. That should’ve been her first indication of her wavering trust.
Shit. She dismissed that thought and banged on the back door. Elodie gave it a few seconds, then slammed her fist on the steel again. She heard a latch on the other side and stepped to the side. When the door opened, she rushed in not even bothering to look at security.
Security . She’d questioned it early on in her head. Why did a club owner need so many people watching his back? Her stomach twisted, and she quickened her steps to the elevator. She glanced up at the camera, and the doors immediately opened. The ride up to the second floor felt longer than usual. It would’ve been a good time to consider what she was going to say to him. But she didn’t. Her mind was racing with so many thoughts, Elodie could barely form a coherent one.
When the doors opened, she stalked toward the balcony. There were several of Oz’s security in the space, but they weren’t lined up like usual. Instead, they were casually scattered at a few tables and in small groups. She only went unnoticed a second before every set of eyes was on her.
“Where’s Oz?”
All the men immediately stood, but only three approached in formation. Ridge and Cy were on either side of Caine, who was a step ahead of them.
“I need to see him.”
Caine’s brows dipped in a tight scowl. “Is he expecting you?”
She shook her head. “No, but it’s important, and I want to see him now .”
All three men stared down at her.
Ridge lifted his chin. “I’ll get him for you.”
She scanned the room. This was not the same scene she’d walked into minutes earlier. If they’d been on some type of break, it was officially over. She brushed her hair away from her face, hooking it behind her ear.
“Elle?”
She jerked her head and watched Nash stroll across the room. No urgency or much concern except for the small lines between his brows.
“I need to speak with Oz.”
Nash scanned her face. “He’s in a meeting right now. Why don’t—”
Before he could finish, Elle rushed toward him, grasping his forearm. It was a bold move. And possibly desperate. “It’s important. I really need to speak with him right now , Nash.”
“What’s wrong?”
Everything? Until she saw Oz and sorted it out, she wouldn’t be able to calm down. She needed answers only he could provide and lies he could debunk.
Nash placed his hand over hers. She thought he was going to remove it, but he didn’t. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Are you in trouble?”
Am I?
“Maybe.” She sighed and could hear the desperation in her tone. “I just really need to see him, Nash. Please.”
Nash nodded, glanced back at Caine, and lifted his chin. The man stepped back and opened a path for Elodie to follow Nash. They walked down the hall in silence, but she was aware of the footsteps behind her. When she glanced over her shoulder, Caine, Cyrus, and Ridge were following two feet behind.
Nash stopped about five feet from Oz’s office door, holding up his hand. “Wait here.”
Elodie halted, feeling the three close to her back. It became clear they weren’t guarding her but rather guarding Oz from her. Nash knocked and seconds later opened the door. Elodie acted fast and darted forward.
She heard Caine call out, “Nash!”
It didn’t slow her pace, and just as Nash turned into the doorway, Elodie slammed into him, making her way into Oz’s office. She grasped Nash’s arm, muttering, “I’m sorry.”
She straightened and turned, looking around the office then shifted to the seating area. What. The. Fuck! Her heart tightened as the four men seated stood to face her. She didn’t know everyone, but their faces were familiar.
Chris wasn’t lying.
“Elodie,” Sal said, lowering his chin and offering a soft smile. “This is a surprise.”
She was frozen, unable to move. When she felt a hand lightly graze her back, she jumped forward and spun around to face Nash. He’d lost all softness in his features, but he made no move toward her.
“Elodie.” Oz’s deep voice caught her attention, and she quickly swung around, looking over at him. He lifted his hand and curled his finger. She should’ve ran out of the room. Instead she rushed toward Oz as if he was her savior.
“It’s nice to see you again, honey.” Sal smiled, glancing over at Oz. “We were just talking about you.”
It did nothing to calm her. Inadvertently, she stepped closer to Oz, brushing against his arm. Sal’s gaze scanned her body, then shifted to Oz. He let out a muffled snicker then glanced up. He waved his hand to the empty couch.
“Please, have a seat.”
When she made no attempt to move, Oz’s hand wrapped over her hip, urging her forward. “Sit down, Elodie.”
She drifted to the couch, expecting Oz to take the seat beside her. Instead, he walked to a chair and sat. She was left alone on the couch with all eyes on her.
“I believe formal introductions are in order,” Sal said. “This is Rogue, Quinn’s husband. And Trey.”
She peeked over at the other two men then veered her gaze to Sal. They were the guys he’d been with at the restaurant during their first encounter.
“There’s no reason to be scared, Elodie.” Sal smiled. “You’re probably the safest person in the room.”
Doubtful.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced over at Oz. He was staring back at her with so much intensity it sent her anxiety into overdrive.
“Maybe Oz should speak privately with Elodie.” Trey kept his gaze fixed on Oz.
“That’s unnecessary,” Oz said and lifted his chin to Sal.
“Elodie?”
She gazed over at Sal. He sat on the edge of his chair and clasped his hands. To anyone without previous knowledge, he’d seem like a sweet old man.
“Your father?” Sal sighed. “He had demons that caught up with him.”
It was the same sentiment her uncle had shared. But who was Sal Caruso to play judge, jury and executioner?
“You’re justifying murder?”
Sal shook his head. “He wasn’t a good guy, Elodie.”
Says the murderer.
Elodie scoffed. “I’m sure there are plenty of people who would say the same thing about you.”
The corner of his mouth curled and he slowly nodded.
“Without a doubt, honey.” He settled in his seat, pointing at her. “You’ve done your homework, I see.”
Elodie stiffened, gripping her hands in her lap. She wouldn’t give up any information or how she’d gotten it. Elodie needed to craft her words carefully to avoid drawing attention to her uncle and Chris.
“You killed my father.” Heat rose through her body, and she lifted her gaze, glaring. “In front of me.”
Sal’s gaze softened. “You weren’t supposed to be there.”
“But I was!” she snapped. “You have no remorse?”
“For what you witnessed? Yes. But not for taking him out. He wasn’t a good man.” Sal raised his brows and leaned forward. “You knew him better than most people. Tell me I’m wrong.”
What? She snorted, shaking her head.
“Tell me, Elodie.”
She glanced up at Sal.
“You tell me I’m wrong.”
I can’t.
“I’m not going to give you validation for what you did so you can clear your conscience.”
“My conscience is clear, honey. Your father got exactly what he deserved, and while you may not want to acknowledge it, which I understand, the death of your father made your world a whole lot safer.” His gaze softened. “I’m sure your mother would agree.”
She clenched her jaw. Her uncle’s words played over in her head. Killing him probably saved her life.
Elodie had so many emotions rolling through her. And it all stemmed back to Oz. As if she’d been smacked in the face with a two by four, a new realization emerged. She slowly turned to Oz.
“You knew.”
****
You knew.
Oz steeled his features, squaring his jaw.
She glanced up, visibly shaken. “You never asked for his name because” —her eyes welled, and her throat bobbed— “because you knew.”
Getting everything out in the open had been his main objective. With it all laid out in front of him, he was seeing the depths of her pain even more so than when she’d told him. In her eyes, he’d betrayed her. Oz knew firsthand it was something people rarely came back from or could forgive.
“Yes.”
Her gaze was pained. “You let me tell you that whole story when you knew everything.”
Oz straightened in his seat, pinning her in his stare. “I didn’t know your story.”
Elodie snorted and jumped up from the couch. She pointed at Sal but kept her glare locked on him. “He mercilessly beat my father and then shot him to death in my childhood living room. Did he tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to.” Oz fisted his glass, knowing the next words out of his mouth would destroy her. “I was there.”
Her face paled, and her whisper was so soft, he almost didn’t hear it. Almost.
“What?”
“I was with Sal that day. In your house.”
Her lashes fluttered and she blindly stumbled backward into the couch. He knew the information would come as a shock but he hadn’t expected a physical reaction. Oz stood and she jerked her head, stepping back until she was inches away from Trey. He reached out, gently grasping her arm, but she jerked around and tore away from him. Her eyes darted around at each of them. She rushed toward the door, and Nash stepped in her path.
Oz held up his hand, and Nash immediately stopped.
“Let her go.”
“Oz,” Rogue snapped and charged to the door.
“Let. Her. Go.” Oz growled, and his men blocked the doorway, forbidding Rogue from passing through.
Elodie didn’t hesitate and ran out the door. There would be no reasoning with her. She wouldn’t listen to any explanation offered right now. She was scared, and forcing her to stay would worsen the situation. Even he recognized it.
Oz walked over to the bar, poured a double shot of whiskey, and shot it back, feeling the burn down his throat.
“What the fuck are we going to do?” Rogue shouted.
Oz continued to stare at the wall. For the first time in forever, he had no idea. Letting her walk away was probably for the best. Elodie wouldn’t talk. With her knowledge of the Underground, she’d be in fear of retaliation if she spoke to the authorities. Afraid of him. His muscles tensed and he balled his fist. Oz was the last person who’d ever hurt her. He’d protect her at all costs. He couldn’t let her leaving thinking any different.
Oz slammed his glass on his desk and turned, addressing Nash.
“Block her in,” he snapped. He grabbed the folder from his desk and stalked through the room.
“Sir?”
“You tell security to block her fucking car in.”
“Oz,” Trey started, but Oz ignored him, lengthening his steps as he walked out.
Elodie wasn’t leaving.
By the time he reached the parking lot, his security had done what they were instructed. Elodie’s car was boxed in with another car in front of her and an SUV blocking her rear. He stalked toward the car. Her head was bowed, and she made no move to look his way.
The last thing he wanted to do was scare her more, but he sensed a tough love method was the only way she’d listen to him. He grabbed the handle of her door. It was locked.
Good girl.
Elodie jerked her head, and her gaze lifted to meet his eyes. Her glare sharpened through her glassy eyes.
“You’re a bastard!” she shouted, though it was muffled through the window.
He’d been called a lot of things through the years. However, it had been some time since anyone called him a bastard. In this case, it was warranted.
He lifted the handle again. “Get out of the car.”
She rolled down the window an inch. “No!”
“Elodie.” He growled.
Her shoulders sagged, and she lost a little of her fight.
“Please, Oz.” She sighed and glanced up at him, her gaze pleading. “I would like to go home.”
Oz clenched his jaw. A twisting pain strangled his heart into a vice grip. Using force with her wasn’t an option. He’d sacrifice himself before allowing any harm to come to her. But he wasn’t above intimidation.
“And I would like for you to get out of your car. One of us will get what we want.” He angled his head, narrowing his gaze. “And it won’t be you.”
She dragged her hand over her face. “I’m not going back upstairs.”
“I’m not asking you to.” He clicked the handle. “Unlock the door.”
A few seconds passed, then she reached for the handle, and he opened the door. She slowly got out, moving to the side, and he closed the door. Elodie stood a few feet away.
“I was going to tell you.”
She immediately shook her head and folded her arms, refusing to look at him. This would be an uphill battle. Oz understood how it looked. Walking into his office and seeing him and Sal had been the shock of her life. He’d read her face.
“Look at me.”
When she kept her gaze on the ground, he reached over, cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him.
“I was going to tell you everything.”
“You had the opportunity the other day, and you didn’t.”
Oz clenched his jaw. There was no arguing that fact. But Oz had his reasons.
“You needed everything. I didn’t have it then. I do now.” He offered her the folder. “Take it.”
“What is it?”
“Your father’s file.”
She pulled away from his hand and scooted to the left. “I don’t want it.”
“You’ll take it. And you’ll read it.”
“I already know he was a monster.” Her voice shook.
“Take it,” he whispered, and her shaky hand reached out, ripping it from his hand.
Oz reached for the car door and opened it. He signaled for security to move their vehicles blocking her. Elodie whipped her head around when the engines started. Oz turned and started toward the back entrance of the club.
“Was it real?”
Oz stopped mid-step, staring at the door in front of him. He knew what she was asking. He slowly turned to find her standing in front of her open car door. Her eyes were still glassy and red-rimmed. There were streaks down her face where her makeup had been washed away from her tears.
“Me and you.” She sniffled. “Was any of it real?”
His chest tightened. It gave him hope that this wasn’t the end.
“All of it.”
Elodie dropped her chin to her chest and got in her car. Oz waited, watching her drive out of the lot. Just as she passed the building, she looked over at him.
For the first time in forever, he was forced to hand over control to someone else.