6. Collins #3
“You think Stephanie came home after the killing happened, grabbed her brother, then ran away?” Sloppy. Shoddy work by whoever was hired to take out the Hollis family. They left strings. “Do you have anything to support your theory as of right now?”
“No.” Ellory frowned. “I’m still reading through the file.”
“You’re leaning in this direction?” I pressed.
Though I wasn’t convinced of such, I also wouldn’t disregard Ellory’s concern.
I knew Collins wasn’t who she said she was.
Bone deep, the woman was hiding something important.
What? I couldn’t say. This though... No, I’d never believe the woman who came apart in my arms only minutes ago was the one and only Stephanie Hollis.
It was impossible.
“Yes.” He pointed to the bags laying on my desk. “These make it even more plausible to me.”
“Why come to me, if it’s really her?” If the Table was after her or what remained of her family, why would she readily put herself in harm’s way?
“I sit at the table, for fuck’s sake.” I was her enemy.
The thought twisted my gut. The sins of the parent weren’t the sins of the child.
“Do you think she knew about the money?”
“All accounts point toward no,” Ellory answered.
“Stephanie has been away at college for the last three years. Her brother attends—attended a private school. They mingle within your...” He chose his next words carefully.
Community, never fully entering it. I’d say the only one who knew was the father, maybe the mother. ”
“So, if they popped up one day, they should be protected,” I quipped.
“The information about the family is appreciated. Kira Tumino is a tough as nails bitch. I’d never want to cross her.
I’ve heard she is doing well after her father’s untimely death.
Knowing everything I do about her; I doubt she had any hand in this situation. ”
“Which leaves Valentino, Tripoli, and six others.” The pinched expression on Ellory’s face didn’t help to unfurl the knotted mass weighing heavily in my gut.
“There is a charity event in two weeks. Everyone will be there, as they always are. It would afford me the chance to ask some questions.” Though I doubted anyone, if the situation was as dire as what Ellory said, would talk about Theo Hollis or his murder. However, I was sure I could persuade them.
Eye for an eye, right Il Malocchino?
Some days it would have been so much easier to remain who I’d been.
Live my life as a contract assassin. Giving life, not taking it, went against everything I was.
It made me weak. It consumed my every thought.
Being Rocca’s father left me vulnerable in every sense of the word.
While the other heads of families could spit out kids with their mistresses and their wives, children of assassins were hidden and virtually unheard of.
I thought if I claimed my rightful spot at the table, those harsh realities wouldn’t bleed over into my family.
I was wrong.
I’d made it worse on myself.
“As the owner of Daidone Holdings or as a Bloody Anarchist?” Ellory quirked a brow, tilting his head. “By the way, what’s the difference?”
I grinned, the inky black tendrils of death that always seemed to swirl around me whenever I took on a contract came to life once more, consuming me and changing me on a cellular level.
“I’m not going as Miceli Daidone. I’ll going as Il Malocchino .
That’s the difference. That’s all you need to know. ”
“Fuck. I pity anyone who gets in your way,” Ellory muttered. “Don’t leave the place too dirty.”
I laughed. “No one will even know I was there.”
“Even worse.” Ellory stood. “I’ll have a friend check out the trackers and the line. If I find anything else out, I’ll let you know. As for the other...”
“What have you found for me?” I quirked a brow, while trying to form a plan and prepare for the event.
“Still digging. Today was about the latter, not the former.” He started for the door. “For now, until we can figure out what’s going on, steer clear of Collins. If you think for a second you were being discreet in the kitchen, you weren’t. We all heard both of you.”
I shrugged. “We’re not friends Ellory. You are a means to an end and a business associate. I pay you for your time. You give me information I want. Don’t presume to know what I do or with whom I do it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered. “Don’t yell at me when your dick is in a bind.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”
When the door closed behind Ellory, I sat back and exhaled.
The idea of Collins being Stephanie changed nothing.
I didn’t get angry at people who changed their names to stay safe, especially when they were innocent.
I also hadn’t earned enough of her trust for her to tell me the truth of who she was—yet.
Though pride filled my chest at the thought of little Stephanie Hollis coming to me for help.
There was no way she didn’t know my true identity, if Collins truly was Stephanie.
She’d have known my history. The beautiful creature who fell apart in my arms didn’t fear Il Malocchino .
No, she embraced him, hoping the man along with the killer hidden beneath the surface would protect her.
The thought fucked with my head even more.
I wanted to put my claim on her. Put my cum deep inside her.
Dare another family to come after her. Because, when I was done with all of this, the Table would remember my name.
They’d know the death and destruction brought upon them by their dirty hand and clandestine deals.
Yes... The path was clear now. My destiny wasn’t just a spot at the table, it was to own the table itself.