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“Thank you, Nino,” I tell him softly. “You were very brave last night.”
“When is Natalia coming back?” he asks.
This is the question I’ve been dreading, and I don’t have a response for him. To my relief, I’m saved from answering when Angelo makes an appearance, interrupting us. He jerks his chin in greeting and then looks at Nino uncertainly. They’ve spent some time around each other, but Angelo doesn’t have any clue how to interact with a child. Today he’s going to have a crash course.
“Hello, Nino.” He pulls out a chair and sits down. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for the day.”
Nino arches a brow at him. “Why?”
“Because I have some things to take care of,” I tell him. “And Manuel is busy at the moment.”
Nino shrugs and goes back to eating his toast.
“If you have any trouble, let me know.” I rise from my seat, and Angelo looks concerned.
“You’re going now?”
“Yes.” I grab my suit jacket from the chair, slipping it over my shoulders. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” He glances at Nino. “I thought you’d finish breakfast first.”
“It will be alright,” I assure him. “Just watch a few movies with him. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He nods unenthusiastically, and I ruffle Nino’s hair as he glances up at me.
“Have fun with Angelo. If you need anything, you can text me from his phone.”
“Okay,” he says quietly.
I hate to leave him right now, but I have no choice.
Outside, I glance at the shed where I have Gwen’s body stored in the freezer. Tonight, I’ll have to deal with that. She deserves more than what I can give her. She deserves a headstone, a Society funeral, and closure for everyone who knew her, but the only way to give her those things is by turning Natalia over to the Tribunal. In doing so, the consequences would certainly mean her death. I can’t accept that option until I understand what happened.
My first order of business takes me to the same house Nino visits every week for his piano lessons. The Hudsons live in an estate in a gated community with a large IVI presence. Their family is well established and widely respected. At least, they were until their daughter’s absence and abandonment of her child cast a shadow over their name.
Mrs. Hudson greets me at the door when the guard calls out for her. She’s a reserved woman with dark hair and brown eyes that seem to look through me. I’ve always known she wasn’t fond of me, judging by the way her shoulders tense in my presence. I couldn’t blame her for the reaction. I’ve never been the type of man who makes people feel particularly at ease.
Our relationship consisted of a simple agreement. They wanted time with Nino because he’s their grandson, and Mrs. Hudson was able to provide that in the form of piano lessons. They never speak of his mother Elizabeth in his presence, and he only knows Mrs. Hudson as a teacher. Their family typically only ever sees Manuel when he drops Nino off for lessons, and I can tell she’s not sure what to make of my appearance on her doorstep today.
“Mr. Hudson isn’t here,” she informs me carefully.
“I know.” I try for a smile, but I think it only scares her more. “I came to see you.”
Her brows knit together, and I question if I’ve made the right decision. Out of respect, she will communicate with me, but it doesn’t mean she will answer my questions honestly. I’ve always dealt with her husband. He’s a hardened man, one who takes the expectations of IVI seriously. Reputation is everything to him, and when his daughter left, he was humiliated and angry. Mrs. Hudson is different. There has never been shame in her eyes when she spoke of Elizabeth. There was only ever pain.
“Please, come in.” She steps back reluctantly, allowing me to enter. “Would you care for any refreshments?”
“I’m okay. Thank you.”
She offers me a tight smile and leads me to the same sitting room where she gives Nino his lessons. It’s a large space, well furnished, but absent of any family photos, as was necessary for our arrangement. We both take a seat, a small table separating us.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Scarcello?” she asks.
“Please, call me Alessio.”
She bows her head. “Very well. What can I do for you, Alessio?”
“I want to talk about Elizabeth.”
The color drains from her face, and she shakes her head immediately, moving to rise from her chair. “Then you should wait for Mr. Hudson.”
I reach over and settle my hand on her arm, gesturing for her to stay. “I don’t wish to speak to Mr. Hudson. As I told you before, I came to see you.”
She hesitates, torn by her desire to flee and the expectations of The Society. Normally, I would be the last man to leverage my rank against her family, but right now, I don’t care why she stays so long as she does.
