Chapter 35
Chapter thirty-five
Ishouldn’t have brought Dominic onto the case.
I should have just left him in the past.
I’m an idiot.
After reassuring Lucia I’m not going to do anything rash, I get into my car and drive. I need space and time away from everyone.
Only the wide open highway, a hot cup of coffee, and the radio on blast can do that.
I feel the speaker in The Raven losing his mind with grief and sadness.
The image of the guard lying on the warehouse floor is imprinted in my mind.
The killer is one of my own.
But I don’t know who that is.
During the ride, Dominic’s number keeps appearing on the dashboard, but I ignore it.
I don’t want to talk.
After what Matteo said, I’m confused about whether I did the right thing getting him involved.
At the time I didn’t have an ulterior motive. I knew he was the only one who could get the job done.
And since he’s been in my life, we’ve gotten nothing accomplished.
Old feelings have been ignited, but I’m no closer to figuring out who the killer is than when I put this plan in motion the day they sewed me up at the hospital.
After all, Dominic is going to go back to his normal life when we discover the killer and I am too.
I think a part of me has been delaying the inevitable because I like his company.
Pulling into the driveway, I don’t even bother pulling into the garage. I put the car in park and get out. I need a hot shower and a long nap.
Walking to the front door, I silently pray that no boxes or feathers greet me. I’ve had all I can take.
I take my key out of my pocket and I’m just about to insert it into the lock when something rustles nearby.
“Where have you been?”
Turning around I see Dominic stepping out of the bushes.
“You were hiding in my bushes?” I raise my eyebrows.
“You didn’t answer my calls.” He brushes leaves off his coat. “I had to make sure you were still alive.”
“Well, I’m alive.”
“Then why didn’t you answer my calls.” Anger flickers on his face.
“I needed to be alone.”
He studies me. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” I turn away from him and turn the key in the lock.
Dominic follows me into the house.
“While I was waiting for you, no one delivered any packages.”
“They made their delivery early.” I place the key on the table in the foyer. “It was a pawn and it turns out one of my new guards was brutally murdered in our warehouse.”
“I’m sorry, Cipi.”
“Then I got into a fight with my family because they think I’m losing my touch and I’m not fit to be in charge.
” I walk into the living room. “Whoever the killer is, he’s making a mockery of me.
That’s why he’s attacking everyone in our high security places, he’s trying to show me he’s better at this than I am. ”
Dominic grabs my shoulders and spins me around to face him. “Cipi we both know that’s not true.”
“At this point, it’s turning out to be true.”
“Don’t you dare wallow in self-pity, Cipriani Capuano,” Dominic locks eyes with me.
I push away and walk over to the fireplace, placing my hands on the mantle. “Why are you here?”
“I found out a lot of information today.”
“Thank god for that.” I mutter.
I feel his presence behind me.
“The reason why Elio’s checked out clean is because behind our back he’s been operating under his middle name Stefano. He’s been working with Valerio Neri.”
Turning around, I face him. “Doing what?”
“I’m not entirely sure but I think it has to do with running drug trades. He has a second bank account under that name and Valerio has been wiring him a lot of money. He’s in deep.”
I fold my arms. “But how does that fit into our problem about someone trying to kill us?”
“Him dating your sister allows him to get valuable information and feed it back to Valerio. She may have said something or let something slip. You know she loves to talk.”
“Gigi would never give family information to a stranger.” I glare at him.
“I didn’t mean it like that Cipi. At this point, he isn’t a stranger anymore, with all the times he’s slept over at your sister’s house. And your mom and Nonna have already met him and they like him.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone. “I need to call Gigi. She shouldn’t be dealing with a creep like that.”
“Cipi, don’t do anything rash.” Dominic warns.
Pressing a button, I dial her number.
It immediately goes to voicemail.
I call Mom.
“Mom’s where’s Gigi?” I blurt out before she can even say hello.
“She went on a date with Elio. Why?”
“Where did they go?”
“I don’t know, some restaurant downtown. Why? Is everything okay?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Mom. I’ll talk to you later.”
Hanging up, I dial Frederico, the guard who's supposed to be tailing Elio.
“Hey, where’s Elio?” I ask.
“Miss Gigi and he went on a date to Maison du Lys Boss. They’ve been in there for a while now.”
“Okay, call for the other guards and get them both. Bring Elio to the safehouse and get Gigi home safely.”
“You got it boss.”
“I’m on my way.” Shoving the phone back into my pocket, I catch sight of Dominic looking at me. “What’s wrong?”
“You really think Elio is the leak?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore but if he is I’m going to make him tell me and who else he’s working with.”
Dominic steps closer to me. “You look exhausted. You need to get some rest.”
“I will when this whole thing gets resolved. I can’t have everyone in my circle questioning my authority.”
“I have something else I have to tell you.” He reaches into his pocket and takes out a piece of paper. “I found the obituary for Francesca Marconi.”
“And?” I take the paper and look at him.
“Her middle name was Lenore.”