28. Elio

28

ELIO

I sit in the SUV as Matteo drives through the city. I'm pissed at Vincenzo and loaded with guilt about my behavior toward Piper today.

"Problem?" Matteo asks.

"It's time to put Vincenzo in his place. I've been patient and trying to work this out for long enough."

"No fucking doubt about that. What do you have in mind?"

I scan my brain for ideas that don't include murder. "I don't want to do the same petty shit he's doing."

Matteo laughs. "It's petty because he's too afraid to do more."

I nod, although I'm thinking his fear is of Caruso, not me. "What do we know about ships on the lake?" I ask of Vincenzo's smuggling operation.

"Rumor he's got a drug haul going out."

"Sink it."

Matteo's eyes widen in shock and admiration. "Damn. That's a bold move."

"I've done my best to make things right with him, and he continues this bullshit. He called Piper a whore. No one does that without severe consequences. He's lucky I didn't put a bullet in his head right then and there."

Matteo nods slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Lana will be thrilled."

I laugh, knowing no doubt, she will.

Matteo's expression turns serious. "What about Caruso? Should you check?—"

I wave off his concern, my confidence unwavering. "I'll handle Caruso." With that decided, my next problem is Piper. I shouldn't have been so terse with her. When we talk later, I'll need to do better at managing my frustration. Still, I need her to understand that as long as Gabriel is walking this earth, he'll be a threat to her and Elysse. But I need to do it in a way that absolves her from guilt.

Perhaps I should take her for dinner and we can talk there. I haven't taken her on a real date since our reunion.

My phone rings, interrupting my problem solving. I see it's Piper and my heart fills with emotion. God, I have to make this work.

"Piper?" I'm glad to have the opportunity to start making amends. "Listen, how about you and Elysse?—"

" Gabriel has Elysse. He picked her up from school and he says I have to come home alone or he'll hurt her ."

My world stops. "Tell me you're not going home."

" I have to ? — "

"Piper, listen to me. You can't go there alone. It's too dangerous. I'm on my way." I turn to Matteo. "Get to Gabriel's. Fast."

" I don't have a choice, Elio. He has our daughter. I have to go, I have to make sure she's safe. Even if it means… " She trails off. I know what's she saying, and it feels like my fucking life is ending.

"Piper, no. Is Danny with you?" I'm sure he's supposed to be driving her.

" He's driving, but Gabriel says I can't bring anyone ?—"

"Stay with Danny. I'm coming. Fucking hell, Piper… just this once… please… don't walk in there alone." I want to reach through the phone and make her obey me.

" I'm sorry, Elio. I have to do this. I have to keep her safe, no matter what it costs me ."

Fucking hell. I slam the side of my fist into my door. "Dammit, Piper."

" It's what you'd do. You told me so. You're right. I'd give anything… everything for her ."

"Baby… please… just wait."

" Elio, I love you ."

Fuck. Now she says the words I've been desperate to hear? Now? "I'm on my way, okay? I'm coming to help you. We'll get Elysse back, I promise. I won't let that bastard hurt either of you, no matter what it takes."

She hangs up.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"I'm going as fast as I can. I take it Gabe's got the kid?"

"Yes." The weight of the world crashes down. I should have dealt with him when I had the chance, should have made sure he could never hurt Piper or Elysse again. I fucked up.

I immediately call Danny. "What the fuck?"

" We just got here. I was about to call ."

"And you let her walk in?"

" She said it would be worse if I went in with her. The guy told her no one should be with her, or the kid would suffer ."

I acknowledge he's in a tough position. If he goes in and Piper and Elysse die, I'll blame him. But right now, he's her only hope.

"Can you tell what's going on?"

" Things are quiet ."

"I'm on my way. If something starts to go down, you save them, Danny…" Fuck! Why aren't we there yet?

" Will do. "

I hang up and take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. I can't let my emotions cloud my judgment, not now. Piper needs me to be strong, to think rationally. We have to approach this situation carefully, or I risk losing both of them forever.

I close my eyes, my mind racing with possibilities.

As the car speeds through the city streets, Matteo's knuckles white on the steering wheel, he glances over at me. "Can we end this asshole once and for all this time? I'll do it if Piper doesn't want you to."

"We end him." I'm not afraid to go to jail. But if there is a way to do this without being arrested, I want to try it. Finally, an idea hits me. I'll pull out my phone and call Jones, one of the policemen on my payroll.

After a few rings, his gruff voice comes on the line. "D'Amato. What can I do for you?"

"Jones, I need a favor."

A few minutes later, I hang up. I glance outside, wondering how much longer until we get there. It feels like a fucking lifetime.

"So you're going to have him arrested?" Matteo sounds disappointed.

"I'm protecting our asses."

Matteo nods, his expression grim. "And what about Gabriel? What happens to him when they bring him in?"

I clench my jaw. "Hopefully, when they bring him in, he'll be in a body bag."

Matteo pulls up to the curb outside Gabriel's house, my heart pounding in my chest. The street is eerily quiet. The house more so. I don't hear crying or screaming or yelling. I don't like it. It feels like I'm too late.

Danny meets us as we exit the car.

"Okay, here's the plan. I'm going to go in through the front, confront Gabriel directly. Matteo, you sneak around back, see if you can find a way in without being seen."

Matteo nods. "Got it."

I turn to Danny. "You're backup. If this goes tits up, I want you to kill Gabriel."

He nods.

"Promise me that motherfucker won't survive this."

"I promise." Danny glances at Matteo. He probably wonders about my sanity, losing my mind like this over a woman. But Piper isn't any woman. She and Elysse are my life.

I grab my gun, checking the magazine. I hold it out for any nosy neighbor to see.

Danny's eyes widen. "You're going to draw unnecessary attention."

I nod, a grim smile on my face. "That's the point."