Epilogue | Michael
Epilogue
Michael
One week later
Istood on the cold grass in my back yard, watching my wife shoot the Glock I’d given her. Burns had set up some targets along the far fence, and she was focused as she emptied the magazine into the red circles.
“Nice job,” I said, nodding. “You’re very steady for a beginner.”
She loaded a new magazine and smiled, and damn, but the sight of my wife loading a gun set my body on fire. She was fierce as she arched an eyebrow and held the gun up.
“My grandfather taught me how to shoot years ago, but your training is much more comprehensive.”
She winked before turning and planting her feet. A muscle clenched in her jaw before she began to fire at the target again.
My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket.
“This must be serious if you’re calling me,” I said into the phone.
“Someone made an anonymous call to the police about the safehouse,” Leo said, his tone serious. “This person said they heard yelling and a commotion. Nassau police drove by and the front door was open.”
“What are you saying, Leo?” I asked as dread snaked up my spine.
“Nick and Alexis are gone, and their phones are crushed on the kitchen floor. I don’t know if they were abducted or if they ran, but they’re off the grid with no phones, Michael.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, gritting my teeth. “Are the police investigating?”
“I’ve maneuvered things so the FBI has jurisdiction. I’m going to do my best to keep it under wraps, but I can’t control the media. If they get wind of it, it might go on the local news.”
“Which means John’s men will be hunting them,” I said, furious. “He has a hit out on Alexis with a huge bounty.”
“I know. I’m going to track them with all the resources I have, Michael. I’ll do my best to find them first. I have some partners I can trust to help me. They don’t know everything, of course, but they’re friendly to the families.”
“Thanks, Leo. Let me tell Bianca. I’ll form a team of men to look for them too. Nick is competent so hopefully he’s still with Alexis.”
“There’s one more thing. There was a note carved into the wooden fence post. It read Alexis for Simon.”
“Jesus,” I rasped. “Fuck those assholes. I’ll dedicate all my resources to finding them.”
“I’ll be in touch with updates.”
The phone went dead and I looked at Bianca, my heart breaking at the news I had to give her. She lowered the gun before striding toward me.
“Michael? What’s wrong?”
I gently gripped her upper arms. “That was Leo. Nick and Alexis are gone from the safehouse.”
“Gone?”
I updated her on the situation, including the note etched into the fence.
Rage flashed in her eyes as her hand tightened on the gun. Lifting it, her eyes narrowed as spoke with purpose.
“I’m done being the dutiful mafia wife,” she said, her tone filled with a quiet rage. “Those bastards are going after my daughter, and I’m going to help you take them down.”
Pride swelled deep in my chest at her grit. “I still have to protect you, stella.”
“Then, protect me, but I won’t stand idly by while those assholes threaten Alexis. How do we get her back?”
Placing my finger under her chin, I gazed deep into her eyes. “Together.”
She nodded firmly and I gripped her free hand. Leading her inside, I vowed to save her daughter and the closest thing I had to a son.
And once they were safe, I was going to murder John Armetta and end this war once and for all.