Page 61 of Stolen Queen

When the photo makes its way to me, I have to use every ounce of self-control not to react. It's Ava, clear as day, in the drugstore when she bought her feminine products.

I pass the photo back, careful to keep my expression neutral as I shrug and shake my head.

Rinella's eyes narrow as he looks at me, and for a moment, I wonder if he can see right through me.

But then he turns back to Elio, his face twisted with anger. "This is my daughter, Ava," he spits out. "The one who's been missing for weeks. And here she is, shopping in broad daylight like nothing's wrong."

"That’s good, right? She’s safe,” Elio says.

I force myself to stay still even as my instinct is screaming at me to run, to get back to Ava and make sure she's safe. How did Rinella get that photo? Who else might have seen her?

Rinella approaches me, his finger jabbing accusingly in my direction. "Did you take her?"

I meet his gaze steadily, refusing to back down. "No. Why would you think so?"

Rinella whirls on Elio, his anger palpable in the air. "Is this some game you're playing?"

Elio's expression hardens. "We don't use women or children in business. Unlike some."

“This is less than a block from Matteo’s building.” Rinella points at me again.

"There are a lot of drugstores in Chicago," Lana says.

Rinella pokes at the photo. "This has the address. Date and time stamp too. It's in his neighborhood." He glares at me.

“That’s your evidence to accuse me of taking your daughter?” Elio’s voice is steady, but anyone who knows him can hear the deadly calm. "That she was in a downtown drugstore that happens to be near where one of my men lives?"

“I’m tired of being jerked around by you, D’Amato.”

"Vincenzo, we don't have your daughter. Why would we? If we wanted her, one of us would have married her," Elio says, exasperation starting to tinge his voice.

Rinella’s face actually turns redder with rage. "You saying my daughter isn't worth having?"

"Jesus Christ." Elio throws up his hands. “No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

"You said you were helping look for her," Rinella argues, his voice rising. "And nearly two months ago, she was in a drugstore near your man."

"Do you know how many people live in that area?" I interject, making my voice sound like I'm explaining something to a particularly slow child. “Hell, two of Caruso's men live in my same building."

"You accusing Caruso of taking my daughter?" Rinella almost seems delighted by the idea. As if he could use this accusation to ruin Elio’s relationship with Caruso.

"I don't think anyone took her," I snap before thinking better of it. "She ran away, and I don't blame her."

"Matteo." Elio's voice is a warning.

I immediately snap my mouth shut.

Rinella's face contorts with rage, his eyes darting between Elio and me.

"When did you get this? If it's two months ago, she's probably long gone," Elio says.

"I just got it," Rinella spits out, glaring at me.

"Losing your touch coercing businesses to give up their surveillance videos?" I mock, knowing Elio will chew me out for it.

"It's our neighborhood," Elio says with another warning glare to me. "You're not encroaching?—"

"I'm looking for my fucking daughter. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same, D'Amato," Rinella snaps at Elio..

---