Page 40 of Duke of Ruin

The sting seems simple enough. I’m going to call Gianni, let him know I’m alive, and offer up Noah to get back into his good graces. Meanwhile, the FBI will execute a search warrant of the Carbone estate and get his computer. I feel like Stacey might be fudging the rules a bit to get a warrant against someone like Gianni so quickly, but I’m not going to ask too many questions.

Surprisingly, I find that I’m looking forward to going into Witness Protection. True, my name is boring as all hell, and I do worry that living what’s objectively a “simple” life might feel that way, too, but it already seems like the fake Eli Jones is more authentically me than Eli Carbone, mafia royalty. At least in small-town California, I can openly be with the man I love.

I lean my head back in the shower and let the water run down my back. I know it’s probably stupid, but I’m choosing to trust Noah. He lied to me, and if I spend too much time thinking about that I still get angry, but we can work all that out later. We just have to get to the damn small town first, and to do that we have to face down the monster that is my uncle.

Shutting the water off, I step out of the shower and grab a towel. I scrub it quickly over my hair before wrapping it around my waist and leaving the bathroom. I jump when I see Stacey sitting at the small table across from Noah. A slight prickle of jealousy rushes through me at their proximity to one another, but I know that’s just because she knows the real Noah, and I still question whether or not I do.

“Damn,” she says, eyeing me up and down. “Not bad, Noah.” She waggles her eyebrows at him. I narrow my eyes at her, but feel a little flattered at her implied compliment. Still, I ignore her, grab my clothes, and head back to the bathroom to get dressed. Stacey went out and bought me a new suit. It doesn’t quite fit right, but it’s much better than showing up at the estate in Noah’s sweats.

“Are you ready?” Stacey asks when I emerge from the bathroom again.

“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” I say with a huff.

“You always have a choice, Eli,” Noah says with an apologetic look.

“I really don’t,” I say. I give him a look that I hope shows everything I’m feeling. He seems to understand, but I can’t be sure.

“Once we have Gianni in custody there will be a van waiting to transport both of you to the airport. We have a plane chartered to take you to LAX, and from there you’ll meet with the Wit-Pro handler,” she explains for the hundredth time.

“Got it,” I say as I slip my shoes on. Noah helps me to get my busted shoulder into the sling, and then I stand up and straighten my shoulders. One way or another, this ends tonight.

Stacey hands me a phone, something else she picked up today. Noah holds a set of heavy-duty zip ties that we’ll put on him when we get to the docks. I stare at the phone for a minute before flipping it open. I dial Gianni’s number and wait while it rings. Finally, he answers.

“Hello, uncle,” I say before he has a chance to speak.

“Eli, I’ve been expecting your call,” he purrs from the other end.

My pulse spikes and my chest tightens. Of course he’s arrogant enough to believe I’d come back despite the fact that he’s tried repeatedly to kill me, but the confirmation of his confidence is still unnerving.

“How can I help you?” he asks, and I steel my nerves.

“I have something for you,” I say, fighting to keep my voice even. I look at Noah, who’s standing at the table, his eyes locked on mine.

“And what would that be?” Gianni asks.

“The rat,” I say, and Noah flinches. “Noah Andriotta.”

“Ah, yes, the rat bastard who killed Reese and your father,” Gianni says with a chuckle. I can’t be sure if he’s testing me or not, so I keep my mouth shut. “What is it you want from me?”

“I want back in,” I say. “This should be payment enough for everything. I just want my place back.”

“That seems fair,” he says, but I can hear the deception in his voice.

“Meet me at the warehouse,” I say. “I’ll bring him to you and you can do what you want from there, but I want your assurance that I won’t be targeted.”

“You’re just willing to hand over yourfriend, then?” Gianni asks.

“He lied to me,” I say, allowing a little of my real anger to seep into my voice. I notice Noah’s eyes tighten as he catches it. “He should be punished for that alone, much less the trouble he’s caused for the family.”

“Good to hear, son,” Gianni says, and my skin prickles. He believes me, at least. That doesn’t mean I’m safe, but at least he’s not suspicious. “I’ll meet you in an hour. Make sure you’re alone.”

“Of course.” I snap the phone shut and look at Noah. The pain in his eyes fractures my heart, but I try to ignore it.

“I’m so sorry, Eli,” he whispers as he looks at the floor.

“Save it,” I snap. I need to hold on to this anger if I’m going to convince Gianni that I’m genuine.

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