AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Uncle Salvatore glances at me before jumping in.
“Michelle, what do you remember?”
ChapterTwenty
Chellie
I had a pounding headache when we arrived. It started the moment we walked through the door. I think fear had me so caught up that it wasn’t until I felt safe that I realized how much my body hurt. Carlotta checked me over and gave me ibuprofen the moment she finished with Enzo. She warned me it’ll likely be far worse in the morning. She suggested a hot bath with Epsom salt tonight. Now I feel like I’m awaiting the Inquisition. Salvatore doesn’t mince words.
“I remember talking to Enzo and noticing super bright headlights approaching. Enzo told me to get down and cover my head. Then it felt like they pushed our car sideways. Then another one rammed us from behind. I remember spinning and not knowing when it was going to stop. Then there were gunshots, and they hit Enzo. I turned around as best I could and took his gun. I shot what I could see.”
There isn’t a surprised look in the room. Apparently, women killing is about as commonplace as men. Or, at least, it’s not shocking that a woman would defend her family and herself.
“Do you know if you hit anyone?”
“I killed the second car’s driver and passenger. I ran out of bullets before I could shoot the man in the third car. He was watching. I think he figured he couldn’t get close enough to do more damage to the car, so he stayed put. I saw his gun pointed at us, but I don’t think he ever fired. At least not once I had Enzo’s gun.”
“Did you see his face clearly?”
I shake my head.
“Only through the windshield, and he was too far away to tell. He wasn’t in my straight line of sight. I only saw him when I looked around. The men I shot were much closer.”
It doesn’t surprise me that I shot to kill. It shocks the shit out of me I’m not more bothered by taking two lives. But it was Enzo’s, Luigi’s, and mine that mattered a shit ton more to me. I wonder how I’ll feel in the morning.
Massimo’s tone is a little gentler than Salvatore’s, but it’s still commanding.
“What did you see?”
“Middle-aged man, light colored hair, broad shoulders. I couldn’t tell much more than that, and I’m not even certain about age and hair color. It’s how he seemed. But I do remember thinking he was as big as you.”
I don’t think Enzo’s dad hits the gym twice a day anymore, but he’s still an impressive figure. He gives off a don’t fuck with me vibe. He reminds me of Sylvester Stallone in the Mafia TV show he was on. Suave, but he’s seen some shit kinda look.
“That could describe who we think it was.”
I lift my head to look up at Enzo as he speaks. None of them are going to name names while I’m in the room. I get that, but I still want to know who the fuck did this.
“Do you know why? I mean beyond your family name?”
Enzo looks down at me and hesitates. He’s choosing his words carefully.
“We believe it has to do with Pasha. There’s someone who holds a grudge.”
“A grudge? This is over someone being bu — angry — so they went after me because they know better than to go after any of the bratva.”
I stopped myself from saying butt hurt. No need to be crude in front of Enzo’s dad and uncles.
“The man’s son was involved, and Pasha encouraged the kid — young man really — to leave before he got caught in literal crossfire. The guy sneaked out of where Pasha was being held, and I don’t think the man who orchestrated this has seen him since. I think his son is back in China.”
“Triad?”
It’s like that single word sucked the air out of the room.
“How do you know about them?”
Enzo’s practically demanding an answer to that.
“I have a nonprofit client that has some dubious contributors. Laura did some interpreting for me at a meeting. I’m pretty sure the Chinese representatives understood every word, but they acted like they didn’t. Laura’s firm had just started representing them for their corporate negotiations. She didn’t know them well then, but we both got the impression their money wasn’t clean. She confirmed it later when she warned me to keep a close eye on the books. I’m certain they bought themselves four acquisitions with that sizable donation. I figure if there’s a Chinese connection to this, given what your family — does — then the Triad are more likely than anyone else.”
