Page 56 of Desperate Vows

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?”

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