Page 15 of Promised Vows

Dimitris and two of his guys were helping Marco Moretti’s twin brother, Gabriele Moretti, into Lucas’s office. Gabriele had been beaten pretty good, and he was limping. Blood stains stood out on his white dress shirt. It was clear to me that he’d been in one hell of a fight.

Marco had taken his birthright away during a card game. How Gabriele managed to get baited into that was lost on me. It was stupid. Had that been me and Lucas, I would never have taken it from him. To me, it would have been theft.

Their father died from a heart attack when Marco was in his twenties over fifty years ago. Rumors floated that the family wasn’t united on several things, but that’s all they were, rumors. Since Gianna’s death, my—our—focus had been on Benoit. We only hit a few of the other families so that it didn’t look like he was the only one being targeted.

“Put him on the couch,” I yelled over the commotion.

Thea backed up, making herself small. There was so much going on, it was a good position to take. She’d see what we didn’t.

“What happened?” I asked as Lucas made a call. I assumed it was our doctor because Gabriele needed medical attention from someone who would be discreet. “And why did you bring him here?”

Dimitris looked at me. “I’ll let him tell you.”

The guys got him on the couch, and it was clear Gabriele was in pain with the way he was grunting and groaning.

Lucas ended his call and slipped his phone into his pocket. “Okay, so tell me.”

“Marco’s lost his mind.” Gabriele groaned. He was in his seventies with salt and pepper hair, but to look at him, well, when he wasn’t beaten to a pulp, aside from the hair, you’d never guess it. He’d taken care of himself throughout his life, and it showed.

“That’s not new information,” I said.

His face twisted. “I caught him with my granddaughter, and the only reason that piece of scum isn’t dead is that his guys got the drop on me. They were letting him do it.” He began muttering in Italian. I didn’t have to understand the language to get what he was saying. Marco wasn’t long for this world if Gabriele had anything to do with it.

Lucas caught my eye and my stomach turned. I was speechless. It was obvious I wasn’t the only one when no one responded.

Grabbing a chair, Lucas pulled it over in front of Gabriele and sat. “You’ve got my attention.”

Mine too.

Gabriele’s lips twisted in disgust. “He’s bringing in little girls. Girls that are my granddaughter’s age. Morettis ain’t nice people, but we don’t diddle little girls. Our father, God rest his soul, is turning over in his grave.”

“You’re his brother. You didn’t know this was going on?” Lucas asked.

The man gave him a hard look. “He’d already be dead if I did. I knew he was getting deeper into stripping and prostitution. My daughter called and said that Marco picked up Annalisa, my granddaughter.” He paused and groaned. “I thought that’s strange. What’s my brother doing picking up my granddaughter from school? There’s nothing special going on.”

He snarled. “I call Rocco, and when he calls me back, I find out that bastard has her at that club that Benoit owns. I head straight there with Rocco and a few of his guys. I can hear her, Kalantzis. Screaming. I don’t wait for no invitation.” The man lowered his gaze. “I find her…” Tears glistened in Gabriele’s eyes. I couldn’t say I wasn’t moved either. It was disgusting. Rocco was the Moretti family enforcer. It was interesting that he’d helped Gabriele.

Moretti continued, “Marco’s on top of her. I run over and kick him in the head. Then Rocco storms in and sees what’s happening. I tell him to grab Annalisa and get her out of there. Marco’s gonna be beat to death by my own hands.”

A knock came from the door, and Thea answered it. The doctor walked in, and she turned the lock.

While the doctor was taking care of Gabriele, Lucas asked, “Is Marco still alive?”

“Yeah, someone must have tipped him off and his guys showed up, but Rocco’s got my back, and my guys arrived. Marco split. Then I’m shot.”

Lucas looked at Dimitris. “How do you come into play?”

My brother shrugged. “How do I always come into play?” He smiled.

That cockiness was going to get him killed. Another one of his finer qualities that kept him from playing nice with others.

Gabriele looked at Dimitris. “Marco’s sent an army, and they’ve got me. He showed up outta nowhere. Next thing I know, Marco’s army ain’t so many, and your guys are getting me out of there. I hate it, but I’m in your debt.”

He jerked and cursed as the doctor checked his leg. “Take it easy, my guy.”

I exchanged a look with Lucas. He was about to go with his gut on something. “You’re aware Marco and Franklin are working together, right?”

It seemed we had the same line of questioning.

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