Page 7 of Depths of Obsession
I glance at Gazzago, raising an eyebrow. That’s the lamest excuse I’ve heard. He’s grasping at straws. Clearly, Edoardo cheated them both, but Gazzago won’t admit he’s been duped. He’s too proud for that.
De Carlo straightens up, still wheezing, and Gazzago gestures again. Another punch lands, and this time, De Carlo crumples to the floor.
“You still killed my cousin,stronzo,” Gazzago growls. His eyes flick toward Pippa, and something dark flashes across his face. “You knew about the deal? Maybe you have the rest of the money.”
Pippa shakes her head, eyes wide.
“Maybe I should tell your father about all this,” Gazzago continues, his voice dripping with menace. “He should have better control over his daughter. You were here when my cousin died. You have his blood all over you. You’ll need to pay as well. Maybe betrayal runs in the family.”
“Gazzago, be careful,” I warn, my voice low and steady. I don’t need to say more. He knows what I’m implying—I won’t tolerate him doing something stupid. Pippa will not get hurt. She is not responsible for what her uncle or her boss did.
Gazzago’s glare sharpens on me, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he motions to the body, and his men move to pick up Edoardo. One of them unrolls the rug, and they dump Edoardo’s body inside before rolling him up again like a piece of discarded trash. They haul him out, the stench of death lingers in the air behind them.
“I want that Heart,” Gazzago declares, turning back to De Carlo. “I’ll have the rest of your money, one million and nine hundred thousand, tomorrow. I’ll be in touch.”
“That’s one hundred thousand short,” De Carlo croaks, struggling to sit up.
“The discount is for killing my cousin,” Gazzago retorts, his voice icy. He heads for the door, his bodyguards trailing behind. “And be happy I’m not charging you more.” He pauses at the threshold, glancing back at Pippa with narrowed eyes. “You’ll need to pay a price as well for the part you played in this.” He sneers and gives her a wink. With a final snort, he leaves, the heavy door closing behind him.
De Carlo’s still on the floor, now leaning against the wall, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead. I crouch beside him, my voice low but full of warning. “How the fuck does a loser like you end up with this Queen’s Heart?”
“I’m a respected art dealer,” he wheezes, as if that explains everything.
“You’re a jacked-up loser who got money from his father’s death in New York and then moved over here and opened this fucking gallery. So I repeat, how did you end up with the Heart?”
De Carlo glares at me but as I raise my hand, he starts talking. “I heard a rumor that the Heart had been found.” He pauses.
“And?” The urge to feed on De Carlo is strong and I can feel my fangs start to grow. He needs to tell me what I need to know now.
“And there’s an auction for it. I was supposed to be one of the people who are holding the necklace for the auction. It moves from place to place, so no one can steal it but I got a call that they changed the plan so I don’t have it.”
“Let me get this right: You were selling something you didn’t even have to a stone-cold killer. How the fuck did you think this was going to work out for you?”
De Carlo shrugged. “I was making the most of an opportunity.”
“When and where is the auction and who is holding it?”
“I’m not sure when or where yet. They won’t tell anyone until just before. It’s being run by Gianfranco Calaba.”
I want to rip De Carlo’s throat out. Not only did he get Pippa mixed up in this mess with Gazzago, now she’s involved with Calaba, one of the most notoriously deadly black market dealers on the planet.
“Calaba?” Pippa says weakly. “Fucking hell. That man gives me the creeps. I can’t believe you were going to rip him off. You must have a death wish, Marcello.”
I stare at the gallery owner, my mind racing. This can’t be happening. “You made a deal with Gazzago. He’s not going to be pleased if you don’t deliver.”
“I know! I know!” De Carlo whimpers, panic creeping into his voice. “I freaked out when Edoardo showed up early. I wasn’t supposed to have the Heart until tomorrow.”
Pippa snorts in disbelief. “And stabbing him seemed like a good idea?”
“Edoardo figured out I didn’t have the Heart, and he said he was going to tell Gazzago and then tell Calaba that I had been trying to sell the Heart out from under him.”
“So Gazzago knows about the auction?” I ask.
“No,” De Carlo shakes his head. “Edoardo knew but he said his cousin didn’t know and that’s why he wanted to make a deal for the five hundred thousand. I got freaked out and stabbed him.”
My fists clench. Renzo’s going to lose his mind, and Tommy Two Guns will make sure De Carlo ends up full of bullet holes after this mess.
“So Edoardo ripped off both Gazzago and you, but you have no idea where the Heart is?” I ask, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. “You’ve gotten yourself into one hell of a mess,” I mutter, shaking my head.
