Page 74 of Memento Mori
“How long will it take to find her?” I asked but Aaliyah didn’t respond.
She was in that zone where the only thing that existed was her and the data on the computer screen.
“I’ve got you, bitch!” she shouted, slamming the computer screen closed. “I know where she is. We need to leave tonight. According to my contact she’s booked a flight for tomorrow night headed for Colombia.”
“I’ll call Luca to get the jet ready,” I said. “And get our men together.”
Aaliyah nodded, then sighed. “It’s almost over, baby,” she said, and I pulled her back into my arms.
“Once she’s gone, we can breathe.”
Even though peace was always short-lived in this life, getting rid of the Ghost would definitely make our lives much easier. At least for a little while.
Chapter Thirty-One
HOW MUCH LONGER
Aaliyah
Luca, Franco, and a few other soldiers were huddled around Antonio at the back of the jet, discussing the plans for what awaited us in California.
With the information I received from my contact and the video footage, I tracked Celia’s movements using some of the NSA’s most sensitive tracking programs once I knew her name and what she looked like, I narrowed down her location to a beach house in Santa Monica. We should touch down at Santa Monica Municipal Airport in a few hours. And then it would take us another forty-five minutes to get to the home she’d been staying at.
We had also reached out to the other heads of family whose partners were also being targeted, and I was grateful that we had. Synthia Williams and her husband, Nicholai Kozlov, theBratva Pahkan, had apparently been in Colombia for the last two weeks. It looked like Celia may have been on her way to honor that part of her contract with Grasso.
“Are you alright?” Abel asked as soon as he sat down beside me.
I looked over at my long-time friend. After our breakup, I never imagined we would end up in this place. However, he held a special place in my heart as one of my closest friends and most reliable advisors. Despite occasional clashes with Tony over my security, I was grateful for his presence in my life.
“Just ready for this to be over with, so I can live my life in peace and not have this contract hanging over my head.”
“There’s no peace in this life, Nzuri, especially now that you’ve cemented your position in their world. Someone will always come to knock the Queen off her throne.”
A heavy sigh escaped from my lips. I knew he was right as his words resonated deeply with me. I bulldozed my way into a world that didn’t want me in it. I stood beside a man who wouldn’t walk away from his love for me even if it meant turning his back on long held traditions. He did that all for me. I knew there were still those who still believed my place wasn’t beside my husband. And a target would always be on my back but hopefully how I’d dealt with things since Papa Rizzo had been murdered would show those that were my enemies to think twice before acting on their hate for me.
“I know this, Abel. I just want to love my husband and help him continue his legacy for the next generation.”
I instinctively placed my hand on my stomach. Realizing my mistake, I swiftly moved my hand, careful not to draw Abel’s attention. I knew he would also disapprove of me being here dealing with all this bullshit just as much as Tony if they knew I was pregnant. And Abel shouldn’t know I was carrying the heir to the Rizzo empire before my child’s father. I was going to end this not only for myself and my husband but for our child.
“At first, I didn’t believe he was up to taking care of you, especially in this life, but he’s proved himself and I’m happy he’s the one you are with.”
I squeezed his hand tightly, feeling the warmth and reassurance in his grasp. “Thank you, Abel. For everything.”
“Are you going to pester my wife the entire flight?” Antonio asked as soon as he walked up beside Abel. “Or are you going to catch up with what we have planned?”
Despite rolling my eyes, a smile spread across my face. Rising to his feet, Abel locked eyes with Tony, his expression revealing no trace of animosity. If it was any other time or I’d never dated either one of these men, they’d be really close friends.
“My responsibility is to your wife, not you. As long as I’m by her side, what you’ve got planned doesn’t concern me,” Abel said, then walked off.
Tony plopped down heavily in the chair beside me, causing it to creak under his weight. “Why do you nag him?” I asked, laughing.
He shrugged. “Because I can. I like to get him riled up. I know he’s going to do what he supposed to do especially to protect you, I just like seeing him pissed.”
I shook my head. Men.
I covered my mouth and let out a yawn, my eyes heavy with sleep.
“Are you tired?” he asked, grabbing my hand.
