Chapter 22
A few days later,my family, several of Jason’s, and men loyal to Gabriele Moretti met at a neutral location where we entered through an underground parking garage. Three families meeting would bring attention we didn’t want just yet.
Yeah, we could have gone in guns blazing, and I really wanted to, but that was a good way to kill a lot of people—some innocent—and now that I had a future that I was looking forward to, I wasn”t adding to the stains that were already set in.
I wasn’t the first to arrive. Gabriele was there with his entourage. I suspected that the shootout had him extra cautious. No shade. I would probably feel the same way.
Typically, we wouldn’t meet this way, but Gabriele and I had been in touch, and we wanted to make sure our efforts were coordinated and that our people were communicating with each other should they need backup.
Gabriele stood and shook my hand. “Lucas.” He met Ari, Alexander, Dimitris, and Thea’s eyes, nodding. “Glad you could make it, and I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you.”
Not five minutes passed before Jason and Thomas arrived, with a few bulky guys following behind. I suspected they didn’t want to be outnumbered.
“Jason,” Gabriele said and shook his hand. “Good to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” he replied as he took a seat across from me. “I have to say I was a little surprised by this meeting and who would be in attendance.”
I shrugged. “We have an issue to discuss. Something we’ve just become aware of.”
Jason’s eyes flicked from me to Gabriele and back. “And that would be?”
“Franklin and Marco are working together.”
“That’s not exactly uncommon. The French are weak and Moretti isn’t.” Jason looked at Gabriele.
Gabriele gave a sly smile. “This ain’t the kind of partnership most of the Moretti family appreciates.”
It wasn’t my place or story to tell, so I stayed quiet. Gabriele shot me a look. “Jason’s family or will be soon enough.”
He leaned back in his chair and began with the events that took place the night he found Marco with his granddaughter. I didn’t like the tale the first time, and I didn’t like it any better the second.
Judging by the look on Jason’s face, he was equally disgusted. “A thirteen-year-old?” He exchanged a look with Thomas. The man was red-faced, and I was surprised he wasn’t already throwing chairs or punching the wall.
Thomas’s lips twisted. “That scumbag’s recruiter tried to solicit my sister’s little girl. I didn’t realize you weren’t of the same mind.”
Gabriele growled. “We are not. Much of the family isn’t. Those who are, won’t have minds at all when I get done.”
“Ari,” I said.
Ari took out the file folder from his briefcase and handed it to Jason. “Take a good read. It’ll explain most of what’s going on.”
Once Jason was finished, he shook his head and handed it to Gabriele.
“What do you need from me?” Jason asked.
“Us,” Thomas corrected him.
Gabriele glanced up from the file. “Marco is running. I’ve got people looking for him, but we lost him about twelve hours ago.”
“Franklin seems fearless. I saw him on stage with the director of that private children’s hospital before coming here,” Jason said.
I did, too. “Yeah, I don’t know if he’s aware of those photos. I was told they were in a secret compartment in his desk.”
“Remy is keeping an eye on him.” Thea smiled and looked at me. “What? I saved his life. He owes me.”
To my relief, when I told Claire she was staying at the condo, doors locked, alarms set, and that she was not to step a foot outside until I returned, there was no argument.
Her goodbye kiss almost turned into a change of plans, but behind those green eyes was a woman who needed the monster under the bed pulled out and dealt with, and I was the slayer with every intention of making that a reality. She’d called me a wolf butcher when we first met, and I was going to be exactly that.
We’d spent time getting recommendations for a counselor and had that set up the day before. Well, she set it up. I encouraged her while I was working with Ari and Alexander to get this meeting put together.
Her first appointment was this morning, but because of the situation we were currently facing, it was being conducted via video. I hoped it was going well and that she and the doctor hit it off. It seemed like they would, but first impressions weren’t always reliable.
“I’ve got guys watching Franklin’s house and his club. I haven’t seen anything that implies he knows something is amiss.” Dimitris rolled a cigarette in his fingers. He’d smoked before we walked in, but stress usually increased his nicotine addiction.
Gabriele dropped the file folder on the table. I didn’t know if he was a slow reader or if he read it more than once. “We’ve got guys on Marco’s condo, his house outside of town, and the boat. I didn’t know about the warehouse mentioned in the folder. As soon as this meeting is over, I’ll send someone there to check it out.”
He set his elbows on the table and templed his fingers. “Apparently, Marco’s consigliere enjoys many of the same things as his boss. I’ve also learned he’s making moves to make sure he’s next in line should something happen to Marco.”
“Your place?” I asked.
“Yeah, for some reason, he’s got it in his head that he’s worked too hard to let me be boss. Something that’s mine by birthright, so I’ve got some fellas tracking him, too. He’s unaware that I know that.”
“How did you find out he’s into the same things as Marco?” I asked.
Gabriele looked at me. “He’s been with Marco for the last ten years. You gonna tell me he doesn’t know? They were thicker than Marco and I ever were. The kid goes wherever Marco goes. He’s had to have seen things.”
“So he was there when Marco was with…”
“I didn’t see him,” he said. “That doesn’t mean he wasn’t there. Either way, he’s a fish I plan on frying.” He stood, and his entourage did the same. “I think this concludes our business. Thank you for the information. If you need anything, you know how to find me.” His gaze swept around the room. “A warning. You find Marco and take it upon yourself to end him, and I will take you in his place. You will be a beggar gasping with your dying breath for a quick end, and you will not get it. Marco is mine. I hope we have an understanding. I will be sure to deliver Franklin should I find him.”
With that, Gabriele nodded his head and left.
Jason hung back with Thomas. “I didn’t realize Marco Moretti was involved. I feel like this is information I should have been privy to.”
“At the time, we didn’t know Franklin and Moretti were working together. We thought Franklin had double-crossed him, but they just made it appear that way. They were after me.”
His head tilted. “Why?”
“I guess I landed on his radar. I’m not sure. I plan to find out, though.” I smiled. It wasn’t like families didn’t cross one another from time to time.
Dimitris nudged me with his elbow. “We’ve got movement at Franklin’s club.”
Jason tipped his head at me. “You got the proof you needed about Gianna?”
“Enough.”
“You need any guys?”
Dimitris nodded. “I could use some backup. Some they may not expect to be with me.”
Jason looked at Thomas. “Take care of it.” He returned his attention to me. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks,” I made quick steps out of the room. I was taking care of some long overdue business.
Then, I would go home to my wife.