My younger brother perked up. “And even larger donations to Carter’s off-shore accounts.”
Gabe laughed the first real laugh I’d heard from him since the wedding reception. “The mayor can’t take us down without drowning with us.”
“We’ll need proof.” I could all but feel Shanna’s confusion or frustration or guilt. I didn’t know for certain but it seemed she’d realized the error of her ways.
Marco rubbed his hands together. “Give me a few hours at Marchionni Corp and I’ll have your proof.”
Nico sighed. “What if the mayor hands the information over to the Abruzzos? What’s to stop them from handing it over to the police? The Marchionnis could be implicated, too.”
“Or if Carter is already in too deep with the Abruzzos, he may not be able to break ties.” Shanna met my gaze.
“He’ll find a way.” I sat back with my hands behind my head. “If there’s one thing career politicians like Carter care about, it’s their reputations.”
“You’re absolutely correct,” Gabe said.
Marco turned to me. “Now that we’ve found a way to take care of Carter, what do we do about the Abruzzos?”
Gabe cleared his throat. “I wasn’t going to tell you two until I had more definitive information, but the informant who came forward about Joe’s murder claims the Abruzzo family ordered the hit.”
The news hit me like a bullet to the chest. This was what he was keeping from us? “We had a right to know.”
“You’re right. You did, but nothing has been proven.” He exhaled a long, slow breath. “One way or the other, we’ll make them pay, but it may take longer than we’d like.”
“No more secrets. We know what you know.” I’d told Shanna that secrets got people hurt, and I’d meant it. I’d spent the previous few days focused on the wrong people. Had I known about the hit on my brother, we might have solved the mystery sooner.
“You got it.” Gabe lowered his voice. “Enzo, I’m going to need to confront Ma. I can’t allow what’s she’s done to stand.”
While I agreed, I hated the idea of him laying into her. She had a lot on her plate dealing with my father’s illness. Then again, she hadn’t seemed that upset when she said Pops wouldn’t be around long enough to challenge my position. “Do what you need to do.”
After we’d said our goodbyes and ended the call, Nico and Marco all but ran from the room. Shanna stood as if to follow.
Remaining seated with the desk between us, I asked, “Why’d you do it?”
Her back to me, she hung her head. “He needed to know about your mother.”
“And I planned on telling Gabe, but that’s not what I’m referring to.”
“I thought things were over with Jack, but when I saw him injured…”
I’d had enough of her charade. “Why don’t you climb down from that cross you nailed yourself to and tell me the fucking truth?”