Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Dead weight and blood press against me. The shooter rolls out of my arms and drops to the concrete as I jump to my feet. Blood stains my sweatpants.
Dominic places a hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” I look at him. “Did you shoot him?”
“No. I was too busy making sure you were okay.” He squats down and begins rifling through the stranger’s pocket. “No ID. No phone. Nothing. Fuck.”
I glance at the man’s gun in Dominic’s hand. “Do you think that’s the weapon he used on Bruno and me?”
Dominic stands. “I don’t know. I’ll have a ballistics test run on it. I know a guy.”
“So if you didn’t shoot him and I didn’t shoot him, then who did?” I look around the abandoned wharf.
“I did.” Salvatore stumbles from behind a giant metal container.
He looks like hell.
His slicked-back hair is ruffled and stringy. Suit jacket and tie are gone, and his collared shirt is unbuttoned.
Dominic and I stand in shock. His face mirrors my own as if we have seen a ghost.
“Salvatore!” I run over and hug him.
The wetness from his clothes soaks mine, but I don’t care. I’ve never been so relieved.
“Ouch!” Salvatore winces and leans heavily against me.
“What’s wrong?” I help him sit on one of the nearby crates.
Salvatore clutches his side. “That bastard attacked me…he got me in the knee and the side.” He coughs and spits out river water. “Thank God the two of you came when you did. You distracted him long enough for me to jump into the river and swim to the docks.”
Dominic doesn’t look amused. “Why did you shoot him? We could have asked him who he’s working for.”
Shaking his head, Salvatore clutches his side.
“You really think that bastard is going to tell you everything? Yeah, right. He probably would have shot himself before answering any of your questions. But I forgot, you wouldn’t know anything about this life.
If I hadn’t shot him, you two could be dead. ”
“What the hell are you doing here, Salvatore?” I demand. “The port is closed.”
He wipes his mouth. Streaks of blood stain the back of his hand from his split lip. “I was dealing with a personal matter.”
“What’s that?”
He doesn’t answer.
“Salvatore. Answer my question!” I snap. “What the fuck are you doing here? You better tell me. I already don’t know who I can trust in this family. You don’t want to end up on that list.”
He hangs his head. “I thought I could end it without any more bloodshed.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I cross my arms and glare at him.
“No offense, Cipi, but ever since you got shot, you’re losing your touch. I didn’t think bringing Dominic into this was the best choice due to your past history together. And to be honest since you’ve brought him onto the case there hasn’t been much progress.”
Dominic looks like he wants to say something but I glare at him.
“I know a guy who’s an investigator and I trust him.
I told him to meet me here to see if he could figure out what’s been going on and who’s behind these attacks.
We had a meeting, then after he left, I had to check on one of the boats and that’s when I was attacked.
The masked man hit me on the head and I fell.
He kicked me in my knee and ribs, then shoved a gun into my skull and told me to get up and walk to the edge of the dock. ”
“Did he say anything else?” I ask.
Dominic doesn’t say anything, but I can see on his face he’s furious at Salvatore’s comment.
“No. The only thing he said was checkmate. Then I heard Cipi yell and when the piece of shit moved, I jumped off the dock.” Salvatore grimaces as he clutches his side.
“We need to get you to the hospital.” I take his arm and help him up. “But before we continue any further, you know I don’t like anyone going against my orders. I brought Dominic onto this case because he is a neutral party and he can find out who the killer is.”
“Then why hasn’t he done it yet, Cipi?” Salvatore glares at Dominic.
“My team and I are working around the clock to solve this. This is a person who’s operating on the inside of the family, this isn’t an outsider,” Dominic replies through clenched teeth.
Salvatore scoffs. “My investigator could figure this out within a few days. And Cipi you know I trust you and I love you but you know damn well Dominic isn't a neutral party. You two were never able to keep your hands off each other.”
I stiffen at his word choice and grip his arm tighter.
“I know you have your feelings about Dominic and I know you’re trying to give good advice but I’m the boss.
What I say goes and I will not have you defying my orders.
You will tell your investigator to get off this case and leave it to Dominic and me to solve. ”
Salvatore sighs. “I didn’t mean to go against your wishes, Farfalla. I don’t want to see anything happen to you. I won’t interfere anymore.”
“I know you don’t.” I pat his arm. “But it turns out you were the next target.” From my pocket, I pull out the bishop and show him.
“Fuck,” Salvatore mutters. He glances at Dominic. “I hope you’re planning on solving this soon before we all end up as collateral damage in the graveyard, or maybe that’s your plan.”
“Sal,” I warn.
“Seriously, Cipi. It was stupid trusting your ex. He may be retired but he’s hated all of us for a long time. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the one who…”
“Sal stop!” I snap.
He glares at me. “Fine. I hope you’re right. I don’t want to have to say I told you so.”
“I can assure you, Salvatore, that Cipi’s safety along with the family is my utmost priority right now.” Dominic struggles to keep his voice level but his face shows that he would love nothing more than to tear Salvatore apart.
“Let’s get you to the hospital and get you checked out.”
“What are we going to do with the body?” Dominic asks. “We can’t call the cops.”
“Oh really, I thought that would have been your first course of action,” Salvatore mutters.
I ignore him.
“I’ll call Enzo and Luca to take care of it. They can take his fingerprints. I’ll send them to my guy who can run them through the database.”
I stare down at the dead man at our feet, the word checkmate echoes in my head.
Who sent this shooter and what was the purpose?
If the bishop was the target today, who’s next?