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Lucien started to speak, but I held up my hand. “I know you told me to leave it alone, but I couldn’t do that. And things worked out, at least in the moment.”
“How did you get him to drop the charges?” I was sure Lucien was already working through the events surrounding the case and figuring it out on his own.
“He knew Murphy was dirty. The case was supposed to be his. It was given to Murphy over him despite his lieutenant’s protest. The assignment came from above his lieutenant’s head. He wanted Murphy exposed, but there would be repercussions for him if he took action himself. I took the evidence he had and made his problem go away.”
“You’re the one who killed Murphy?” Angelo asked. Cam looked more than a little unsettled, and Angelo wrapped an arm around him.
“I’m the one who arranged it. That was supposed to be the end of our relationship, but then I saw Daniels during the fire at Santino’s, and—”
“Daniels? Detective Daniels who’s investigating Sergio’s death?” Lucien asked.
“Yes. I went to see him when I found out he had the ring, and we’ve been seeing each other ever since.”
“Seeing each other? Like dating?” Peter asked in a strangled voice.
“Dating makes it sound much too tame, but yes. That’s why I assured you I’m handling the situation. There won’t be any charges brought against us.”
Lucien narrowed his eyes. “Then why are we meeting Giorgio?”
“Joe—Daniels is missing. I think Murphy’s handlers figured out his connection to Murphy’s death.”
“And ours?”
“Possibly, but no matter what we have to find Joe. I… I’m in love with him.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Sabrina said.
“You told him, didn’t you?” Angelo asked.
“I did.” Angelo looked happy for me, like he didn’t even care that my mystery man was a cop.
Lucien wasn’t smiling, though. “You’re in love with Daniels?”
“I am. I know you all might hate me for it, but what I feel for him… I think it’s what you feel for Peter. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but whether you’ll help me or not, I’ve got to find him, and… Fuck. I hope he’s alive because if not, it’s my fault. I gave him Swain’s name. I encouraged him to look into all this.”
“He’s an adult who makes his own choices,” Lucien said. “But we’re going to find him. Tell us more about what happened.”
“Marco called me earlier because he’d heard Swain was after a cop who was investigating him. He knew it was likely Joe.” I explained what I’d found at Joe’s house.
“And you called Giorgio instead of us?” I saw the hurt in Lucien’s eyes, and I hated it.
“When I realized Joe was gone, I knew I had to tell you, but Vigilance has been after these men for a while, and Giorgio owes me a favor. I’m tired of keeping secrets from you, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to forgive me for—”
“You saved me from having murder charges brought against me, and you protected Angelo by giving him your ring and taking a risk with Daniels. Yes, I’d prefer you’d handled this another way, but… if you love this man, we’ll do anything necessary to save him.”
Angelo nodded, and so did everyone else.
“Even though he’s a cop?”
“Yes,” Lucien said. “You know we love you, right?”
We both stood, and Lucien pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“I’m just glad you told me now.”
We pulled apart, and both of us wiped at our eyes. “You’ll help me make a plan to find Joe and rescue him?”
“A plan?” Lucien asked.
“Yes. I know this is too big to just rush in. It counts too much.”
Lucien nodded. “You’re right, and—”
“Don’t you dare say you’re proud of me.”
“Can I say it?” Sabrina asked.
I frowned. “Maybe later. We don’t have long before Giorgio will be at our downtown office.”
“Is the rest of Vigilance involved?”
I nodded. “He said X would have info we’d need.”
Lucien sighed. “He’ll expect a favor in return.”
That was probably true since only Giorgio owed me. The work I’d helped him with had been a personal vendetta. “I’ll give him whatever he wants.”
Lucien shook his head. “No, I will. Because I’m sorry I ever made you think I wouldn’t be here for you. Yes, I would’ve yelled at you for going behind my back. I still might once we’ve found Daniels, but I will always forgive you.”
“I wanted to tell you.” I looked back and forth between him and Angelo. “I only told Angelo I’d met someone important. He encouraged me to tell the man how I felt. I was so conflicted. I wanted your advice.”
“You’ve told us now,” Sabrina said. “The past doesn’t matter. What matters is finding Joe and putting a stop to everything Swain and his associates are involved in.”
She was right. I couldn’t change what I’d done, but I could rely on my family now. I needed to focus on that, not what would happen if—when—we found Joe. I’d worry about the future later.
