Chapter 30
Gray
Betty and I walked hand-in-hand down the hill toward the large fire pit to deposit our potatoes. Nash and I had spent the entire morning building, stacking rocks and sinking metal poles into the earth. I was amazed at how fast we finished the pit, especially with both of us working on it.
We’d used one of my survival books, specifically the chapter on cook fires, as a guide. I’d wanted to build this for ages, but it never seemed worthwhile when I was alone. Plus, I guess it was a productive way for Nash and me to keep dismantling the Great Wall of China that stood between us.
The fire pit was a ten-foot circle, and Nash was tending the flames, raking coals to the edge and adding wood. Four steel posts marked the cardinal directions, with two more crossing overhead, forming a scaffold for hanging meat over the coals.
Overnight, I’d placed a leg of elk and a whole goose in the river to defrost, sealed in wraps to deter wildlife and Tallulah.
Geese, ducks, and other fowl filled my deep freeze.
It was especially full around this time of year.
Hunting season runs through the winter for that type of game, and they’re some of the easiest to pack home by myself and dress.
Betty and I approached the fire pit, and she set her sweet potatoes on a log, taking mine from my hand and placing them next to hers.
“I’m going to use the restroom,” she whispered, a slight blush on her cheeks, “and find Sybil.”
I winked, kissing her forehead.
Nash eyed us, but he didn’t grumble this time—we were making strides. He’d been the ardent, snarling guard dog since his arrival, and while I admired his ferocity in keeping his family safe, I hoped maybe he was coming around.
I couldn’t help watching Betty as she headed up the hill, glancing into the trees as she went. She looked content and unhurried; her ass too tempting to look away from, especially given my recent proximity to it.
Fuck, having her these last few days? My need to protect was only growing worse.
I knew it resulted from all I’d lost, and my pain, but it was my life’s mission, now more than ever.
I would provide that woman with everything she wanted, and I’d fight to make sure nothing, even Matteo, stood in our way.
When I turned back to the fire, I caught Nash’s eye. With my jaw tight, I ignored him and picked up the sweet potatoes, intending to wash them in the river before taking them to the cabin to wrap in foil. They’d later get nestled amongst the coals to bake.
“I’ve never seen her like that before, you know,” Nash started. “Honestly, I’ve rarely seen her with any men. They always leave before sunrise.”
I clenched my hands on the potatoes, uninterested in hearing about Betty with other men. She was mine now.
“She seems to trust you, though,” he added. “That’s not an easy feat, earning her trust.”
I scoffed, “Do you think she trusts me?” I tried to relax, straightening my spine.
He shrugged. “If she didn’t, she’d let you know.”
I chuckled because she had let me know just how much she didn’t trust me, loud and clear. “No shit.”
There was a knowing look on his face. He grinned with brotherly pride.
“Look,” he began, “I’ll always have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Betty and finding love—that’s my job as her big brother.
But I am grateful you were there for her.
” He tossed a log into the center of the pit.
The fire crackled and whined. “Thank you for getting her out of New York,” he admitted, brushing dirt from his gloved hands.
“Though it sounds like getting her here was quite the adventure. I’m happy to hear she gave you hell. ” He laughed sardonically.
I rolled the potatoes in my hands. “She told you about how we got here, did she?” I grimaced. “Which parts?” Betty would tell this story at my funeral, and I’d never live it down.
He let out an uneasy chuckle. “Well, for starters, you were camping on her roof like a sycophant,” he said, glaring, but then his expression softened and he shrugged.
“Though I can’t be too angry about that part, considering how fast you jumped in to aid her.
I never thought I’d compliment a stalker, but here we are. ”
I didn’t reply, unashamed of my actions.
“And Sybil mentioned something about a diaper?” His brow rose as the steel rake moved through the coals.
I nervously grimaced. “Yeah, well... they drugged her. She was out cold for a few days. There wasn’t much else I could do. People rarely ignore a man taking a drugged girl into a public bathroom to pee. The diaper seemed like the best option.”
He stopped raking coals and leaned casually against the handle, laughing. “Hey man, I get it. I mean, I don’t really get it, but as fucked up as that was, it shows you care, I guess.”
A smirk curved my lips. “I promise. I was a gentleman about it. It’s no time to take advantage of a woman, and I’m not the kind of man to do so in the first place.”
He huffed, but was smiling. “Listen, it is what it is. She seems to love the story for some sick reason. Whatever. Betty has an innate ability to find the bright side in most things.”
I wasn’t sure I believed his statement, but I hoped he was right.
He grabbed and tested one of the steel poles for stability, and his face changed, losing humor. “Sybil also told me about your family. Man, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
I pressed my lips together, looking down at the potatoes in my hands. This wasn’t a subject I was prepared to talk about, especially with him.
I could tell he respected my silence. “Bee’s good at caring for tarnished things, so you’ve come to the right place.”
I nodded.
“Life is shit sometimes, Gray, but… seeing all you’ve made of it? It’s fucking impressive. Any man who can pull it together after something like that and still make all this? That man deserves happiness and respect,” he said.
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling tense with emotion.
“What I’m trying to say is that I won’t get in your way, Gray. I’m glad Betty found you, even though the reason is messy. I didn’t know this side of Betty was possible after our mother died. It’s nice to see.”
“I’m glad she found me, too,” I replied softly.
He poked the ground. “Coming out here and seeing all this,” Nash gestured to the cabin, the greenhouse, the whole setup. “You’ve built quite a life from the ashes. If you put the same effort into ensuring Betty’s safety and happiness, well… I won’t stop you.”
I nodded. “I appreciate that.”
He returned to his raking, ash and smoke filling the air.
I stepped away, taking the potatoes to the river to rinse them in the water as I replayed our conversation in my head. Nash had accepted me. Shit, I thought that was going to be a lot harder. While I didn’t care what he thought of me, it was nice knowing he wouldn’t get in my way.
Letting the potatoes soak in the river, I scrubbed the skins with my palm to wash away all the dirt. Once the skins were smooth, I took the spuds up to the cabin for foil.
As I entered, Sybil cut herself off mid-sentence, a wide, mischievous grin spreading across her face.
I eyed her and then Betty, narrowing my gaze.
Those two were as thick as thieves. I didn’t think it wise to leave them alone together.
Betty had shown her talent for planning and deception, but both of them teaming up?
Diabolical.
I placed the potatoes on the counter, and Betty entered the kitchen, retrieving the foil from the cupboard. She began tearing off sheets as I wrapped each potato and set them aside.
Sybil wandered to the chair near the front window, picked up Villainy, and nuzzled him. She was murmuring to him, and he seemed captivated by her large, striking blue eyes. With her otherworldly appearance, she almost resembled a woodland sprite from a fairy tale.
Betty cleared her throat, pulling my attention back. Her sharp eyes met mine. I could see on her face that there was a pitch coming, and I braced myself. I was not in the mood for another awkward or frustrating conversation.
“So,” she began, voice laced with sugar. “Sybil seems to think you can get your older uncle David to do something about Matteo.”
I glowered at her, raising my voice to say, “Does she?” I could practically hear Sybil cower from across the room.
Betty chastised me with her frown before changing tack and fluttering her lashes with a fake smile. “When was the last time you spoke to your uncle David?”
There was a grumble building in my throat, but I swallowed it back. “Not since before… Why?” I challenged, letting my annoyance show.
“Well, he’s the next oldest, right? After your father?”
I nodded.
“Why isn’t David stopping Matteo? Is David siding with him? I mean, there can’t possibly be two evil brothers, can there? From what you’ve told me, Matteo seems to be the only one causing trouble, the dictator, so to speak. What if David could do something about it?”
I searched her face, noting her eagerness.
She wasn’t one to stand idly by. I should have seen this coming.
“Honestly, I have no idea what David thinks,” I said.
“He might be on Matteo’s side, but I really don’t know.
He’s never attempted to reach out or find me, not that I know of.
So, fuck him. He’s shown no inclination to help stop Matteo.
Besides, even if he gave a shit, everyone who’s tried ends up dead. ”
My crass, irritated language didn’t phase her, and she gave me a wink and a wide smile.
Fuck, her steel mental walls would be the death of me.
“Could you call him and ask?” she went on. “What if he agrees with us and wants to help? Maybe we can motivate him to, you know, do something.”
I kept up the shroud of annoyance.
She didn’t falter, again pushing past my obvious displeasure. “I mean, what’s the harm, right? We’re already in hiding; it’s not like he can make things worse for us. Just think, what if he hates Matteo as much as we do? What if there’s something he can do with our help?”
I shook my head, feeling nothing but endless doubt.
I pressed my fingers to the ridge of my brow, mulling over what to respond with.
“From what I recall, David was never keen on the New York operations, especially under Matteo. All I really know is that he moved to Boston to join the organization there.”
“Exactly,” her face lit up. “He left, which could mean that he’s just as angry with Matteo as you are.
I mean, he’s lost two of his brothers now; he has to feel something about that?
Besides, isn’t the mafia good at taking care of its own, including its problems?
There has to come a point where the threat Matteo poses affects other organizations, too.
To me, it feels like a weak spot they wouldn’t want exposed or wrapped up in some huge public controversy.
What if there are a lot of people looking to shut him down, not just you and the FBI?
I mean, obviously the FBI can only operate a certain way and has to chart every detail, but an organization such as, say, the Boston Mafia?
They don’t have to worry about all that red tape. ”
I set the last potato down with a forceful thud. “So, you want me to call him up… out of the blue and… what? Ask him to kill Matteo?” I glimpsed Sybil in my peripheral vision. She was trying to make herself appear as small as possible in the corner, fiddling with the books on the shelves.
Betty simpered, though it felt insincere. “I wasn’t suggesting you ask David to kill Matteo… at least, not specifically.”
I blinked twice, jaw clenched.
She shrugged. “But if that’s what he wanted to do…” she trailed off.
I sighed, rounding the counter and placing my hands on Betty’s hips to look her straight in the eye.
She leaned into me, placing her hands on my chest. “It doesn’t hurt to ask. That’s all I’m saying.”
Honestly, it was something I’d long wondered myself: where did David stand? He’d always been a secretive, reserved man. In all the time I’d known him as a teen, I never figured him out. He was nice to me, but a man of few words—an observer.
He and my Uncle Luca were close, and if Luca had disagreed with Matteo, then it would stand to reason David did too. I never knew how he’d reacted to the death of my family; I never had the chance to find out. My only focus was survival. And now, how had he reacted to the news about Luca?
“Just think about it,” Betty concluded, picking an imaginary piece of lint off my shirt before twisting in my arms and picking up the potatoes. “Come on, Sybil, let’s go take Bill down to the fire pit. We need to season all the meat from the river and get it hung.”
Sybil jumped and spun away from the bookshelf, her eyes wide, an obvious tremor of unease passing over her face.
Betty mentioned Sybil had been a recluse for most of her life, and social situations made her feel and act awkward. I saw that now and could relate. With her eyes cast down, Sybil hurried to the door, desperate to leave. She grabbed the dog’s leash from its hook.
Bill sprang up from his sunny spot on the floor, ready to follow them.
Betty kissed my cheek, her fingers caressing down my stubbled jaw before trailing behind Sybil. At the door, she blew a theatrical kiss over her shoulder, charming me into submission.
After the door closed, I let out a long, drawn-out “Fu-uck.”
There was a way to reach David.
Ethan provided me with that information a few years ago, likely hoping I would do something with it, like the girls want me to do now.
Ethan’s contacts were keeping a casual watch on David, but his activities didn’t necessitate the intense surveillance that Matteo’s affairs did.
David kept his side of the street relatively clean.
Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the cabinet holding the satellite phone. My stomach churned. I knew if I let myself dwell on this any longer, I’d never go through with it, and Betty would never stop.
It was as good a time as any to call and get it done; then we could move on and devise a different, more successful strategy. Relying on my family wasn’t something I felt comfortable doing, but if it made Betty happy, I’d try.