Page 58 of Confession
“Evidence of what?”
“A crime that could see my brother locked away.”
“Then why didn’t your father just kill him to kill the evidence?”
“Because he’s bought his safety with a very effective threat. If he’s killed, the evidence passes to you, and you, most definitely, will want to use it.”
“And that’s what you want? For me to use it?”
“Alesso has too much control over my father in his weakened state. My father is falling prey to thoughts of traditional ideals. The male line and all that.”
“But Alesso’s gay.”
“He’s promised my father that he’ll marry and have children. He’s says he’ll do it for the family.” She sneers. “He’s been researching surrogacy.”
“So you need Alesso out of your way before your father dies.”
“Of course. And you should want it too, considering that Alesso wants you dead. Wouldn’t you rather deal with me?” With that, Cecilia gets up from her chair. When I try to hand her the phone, she says, “Keep it. It’s a burner.”
She saunters to the door, hips swaying slightly, glossy hair curling down her back. As she leaves, Sasha enters.
“So what did she want?” Sasha asks as I stand up and slide Cecilia’s phone into my pocket.
“To fuck up my life.”
EIGHTEEN
Vitali
It’s not the first time I’ve opened Quinn’s door without knocking, but it is the first time I’ve entered without really wanting to see him. I almost hope to find the room empty so I won’t have to have this conversation just yet. But he’s lying in bed.
The light is on in the kitchen area just like last time I was here. Like maybe he never turned it off.
He sits up when I enter. Fuck, he looks exhausted. No, not exhausted. Depressed.
He scrubs at his face. Then he gets up and faces me.
I look at him for a minute, standing there in his gray sweats, so fucking beautiful even in his dark moment. This isn’t the conversation I wanted to have with him. I wanted to ask him what’s going on and why he’s not okay and what he needs.
I wanted to tell him that I’m sorry.
Instead, I have to ask, “Did Gavino DiMaggio hire you to kill me?”
His eyes widen and he lets out a huff like I hit him in the stomach. He staggers into the nightstand then turns and drops onto the bed. His elbows prop on his knees and he puts his face in his hands.
That’s obviously a yes.
“How did you …”
“Cecilia DiMaggio paid me a visit. She had quite a story. And some pictures of you and Alesso.”
Quinn’s head whips up. “That was before.”
“So why didn’t you kill me, Quinn? You were hired for it. You got a job at my club for it. So why didn’t you do it?”
“Because …fuck.” His face drops back into his hands.
“Tell me.”
