Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
GINO
Every lead we’ve had has dried up, and the unknown number calling and texting Juliet has stopped. The Russos refuse to negotiate, still claiming it’s not their doing, even with our proven evidence that Lorenzo’s behind it.
Vanessa is still here every day, trying to piece together the information I continue to share with her. But still, I can’t bring myself to tell her everything I know. If she knew how bad Mateo looked in that photo, I know she would find a way to get him, no matter how close she is to her due date.
She tries to keep a brave face, but I can see through it. I can see her cracking. Understandably, she’s upset—she’s having twins and doesn’t know when their father is coming home. Juliet tries to keep her spirits up during the day, which seems to be working.
I’m done watching my sister’s armor crack. I’m done watching my friends all try to keep up when we’re all about to crumble.
I shut my office door and decide not to try to wait like I’ve been doing for far too long. I call Anthony Russo directly. No more dealing with his lieutenants or those he has working with him in the States. I know someone should be in the room with me, but I need to get this done now if I can.
“Anthony, it’s Gino Esposito—”
“Gino, you’ve been terrorizing my men in New York,” he says, cutting me off. “Wish to tell me why?”
“I’ve been questioning your men because it seems that since my second in command was kidnapped by your son, and you seem to claim you know nothing about that,” I grit out.
“Listen, don’t you dare accuse my son of—”
. “I’ve shown you the proof, and you refuse to believe it.”
“I told you we assumed you all were behind the raid at a warehouse shortly before you arrived. Lorenzo was to rough up your man a bit to prove a point,” he replies.
I press the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath.
“Anthony, if we’re trying to stop our operations in Italy, why the hell would I have my second in command call the police on some random warehouse you have?” I ask.
He hums in agreement.
“I don’t know. Lorenzo seems adamant that you all were behind the attack and that your man is an assassin sent here to take us all out. He was supposed to send him right back as a message, alive,” he says.
“You’re joking? Mateo is a fucking lawyer. But he’s about to become—” I cut myself off.
I can’t tell them he’s about to be a father because that could give them leverage I don’t want them to have.
“Has Mateo had any contact with anyone outside of your network?” he asks.
“No,” I reply firmly.
“You seem pretty sure of that, Gino.”
“I am.”
“How are you so sure?” He asks.
“Anthony, I’m trying to get him back, and you are not helping.”
“You are looking in the wrong place for this. Like I’ve told you, we have nothing to do with this. If you accuse my son again, I will send someone over to deal with you, because I am not listening to this anymore.” Then he hangs up.
Clearly that idea did not work.
“Gino, Gino,” Juliet’s frantic voice calls.
I rush to the door and yank it open.
“What is it?” I ask.
She’s got a smile, but still has a nervous look on her face.
“Alonso just called— Vanessa’s in labor.”
Before I can think, I’m running down the stairs with Juliet right behind me.
Sixteen hours later, and I’m still waiting outside my sister’s hospital room. I spared no expense, paying for the best care possible and a private area of the hospital.
I can’t bring myself to walk in.
She wasn’t supposed to go into labor yet, but she did.
A whole month early. Everyone has told me she’s fine; her children are fine.
And I believe that. But the one person who should be here isn’t, and it’s my fucking fault.
I sent him to another country, and because of that, he missed something he would’ve loved to have witnessed.
I hear the door to her room open. I’m fully expecting to see a nurse walk out. When I look up, it’s Lucy looking at me with soft eyes.
She sighs and takes a seat next to me.
“Gino—” She pauses. “—she wants to talk to you.”
“Why? Can’t you see I’m not helping?” I ask.
“You sitting out here is not helping, and you won’t know unless you walk in there and ask her if you’re not helping,” she replies.
“The one person who should be here isn’t because of a decision I made,” I say, sounding incredibly defeated.
“You made the right decision months ago, sending him there; we both know that. What happened after was not your fault, not in the slightest,” she replies.
I know she’s right.
“I’ll leave you two alone to talk.”
She kisses my forehead like a mother would and walks down the hallway.
I take a deep breath and stand up, walking into the room.
When I walk in, I’m greeted with a smiling Vanessa.
“Hey, big bro, are you excited to be an uncle?”
I stare at her. I wasn’t expecting her to be so happy.
“Are you sure you want me in here?”
Her smile drops. “Why do you assume that I don’t want you around? You’ve been doing that since we met. Every time something happens, you think I’m upset with you. Sorry to tell you this, but my anger and frustration are not at you. Even though it seems like you want it to be.”
“I don’t want you to be mad at me, but who else would you be mad at?” I ask.
“Probably the son of a bitch who kidnapped my husband,” she sighs. “I could never be mad at you. Irritated, sure, but not angry. Never angry. I know you are doing everything you can to find him, and it’s taking longer than anyone could have imagined.”
I nod my head.
“I do have an important question for you,” she grins at me.
“What?”
“Would you like to meet your niece and nephew?” She smiles widely. Proudly.
And almost like she planned it, the door opens, and a nurse comes in with two bassinets and brings them next to the bed.
“These two wanted to visit their mom.” The nurse coos. “I’ll leave you all alone for a bit. Let me know if you need anything.”
The door shuts, and I turn back to Vanessa, a soft smile on my lips. “You planned that, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did,” she smiles at me.
I look at the two babies; both have brown hair, and one has green eyes, while the other has hazel ones.
I clear my throat, looking down at them.
“What are their names?” I ask.
“Victoria and Julian,” she replies.
“The names Mateo picked,” I whisper.
“He’s never told me why he picked those names.”
I snort. “I don’t even think he knows. But he picked them shortly after his mom died. She always wanted grandchildren one day.”
“She really seems like she was a great woman.”
“She was. I never thanked her for raising me.” I pause briefly. “I don’t think you know this, but my mom and her were like sisters. They grew up together and met Dad and Mateo’s dad on the same night.”
“Really?” she laughs.
“Yeah, they did everything together. Of course, they would marry two men who were like brothers.”
We stay in a comfortable silence until Vanessa clears her throat.
“I do have something important to ask you.”
I brace for the impact of what she’s about to ask. Something regarding Mateo, or what to do if we can’t find him?
“Don’t look scared; I promise it’s something important but not bad. How would you feel about being their godfather?”
I look at her and smile.
“I would love it, ” I reply.