AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I looked at Gabriele, giving him a big smile. “I just love these little talks we have, always a pleasure.” I walked after Alora, and to my car parked on the side of the house. I walked to the passenger side, and opened the door, offering her my hand.
She looked down at my hand, then slid into the car. I laughed and closed the door, making my way to the driver's seat. “Where are we going?” I asked as I pulled up to the gate.
“Take a right, we’re going to Demaggio’s out by the pier.”
“Oh yes, I have been there. Good food.”
Thirty minutes later we pulled up. The drive there was excruciating as she would only give me short one-word answers as I tried to make small talk with her. I have never met such a cold woman in my life. We pulled up, I walked around and opened her door. “You know we could try to be friends at least?”
“Why? What is the point? When this is over, we will go our separate ways, and be enemies again.”
“We don’t have to be though. Maybe Vigo is right, it is time this stupid feud our fathers started ends.”
“My father is too stubborn, and I get the impression your father is just as bad. You and I becoming friends won't change that. And besides,” she put her hand on my chest, “I don't want to be your friend.” She walked around me towards the door.
She was so frustrating. Challenging everything I said or did. I took a deep breath, gave my keys to the Valet, and followed behind her. My hand went to the small of her back.
“What are you doing?”
“Playing the part sweetheart.” She rolled her eyes, as she always did. But did not push my hand away or pull away. “Are you going to tell me who this contact is?”
“You’ll see, you know him.”
The hostess led us to the back of the restaurant, towards a table by itself in the corner. A smile crept onto my face, and I shook my head as we approached the table. “Gianni?”
He smiled and stood up, shaking my hand. “Cousin, how are you?” He pulled me into a hug.
“I am good.” I turned to Alora. “Gianni is your contact?” She nodded.
“Alora.” He leaned over kissing her on the cheek. “You look beautiful as always.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey now,” I grabbed her by the waist pulling her into me. “That is my wife you are talking to.”
“Yes, congratulations by the way. Sorry I missed the ceremony. Dad said it was,” he smirked, “interesting.”
“That it was.” We sat down and ordered.
“Alright,” Gianni leaned forward. “I have been doing some digging. And I think I have made a connection. All the victims are connected to sex and or human trafficking in one way or another.”
I felt my hands fist under the table, thoughts of Charlie popping into my head. In all these years we had been trying to find her, we kept meeting dead end after dead end. We got close once. Finally tracked down the man that bought her that day. Only to find out he had sold her to someone else a year earlier. Arturo lost it and we killed him. He broke the day Charlie stood behind that glass, out of his reach. That day we killed her first tormentor, another piece of him was chipped away.
“So,” I took a deep breath, leaning forward and composing myself, “Is this guy a vigilante taking out people doing wrong? Or eliminating the competition?”
“I honestly don’t know. But people are scared. No one will do anything alone.”
“Are you involved in that world?” Alora asked him.
He looked at her and sighed. “You know I’m not!”
She nodded. “Just making sure. What do we do now?”
Gianni shook his head. “The two of you combine what you know from your families, see where it leads you. I will keep digging. We can meet again in a couple of weeks.” The waitress walked up and brought our food. He smiled, “for now let's eat.”
Alora stood up. “You guys will have to excuse me for a minute. I need to use the restroom.”
We both stood up. “Want me to come with you?”
