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“Here’s the deal. You tell me everything. Names, dates, addresses, bank account numbers, everything you can about you and your partner’s little heist. Then I let you live here for a couple days, and we hope Hellie comes up with a way to save your ass from Frost and Gallo. That’s my only offer. Take it or I’ll end this stupid little game and kill you myself.”
Danny considers. There’s nothing to think about though. I’m not bluffing—Hellie will be upset, but she’ll get over it one day, and I despise this guy on multiple levels. He was a shit dad to Hellie, and he fucking stole from me. It takes all my willpower not to strangle him right here.
“She really is special, isn’t it?” Danny smiles as he looks away toward the window. “Even when she was little, she was always so damn smart.”
“I gotta wonder how a girl like her came from a piece of shit like you.”
“Probably got most of her mother’s good genes. And she was raised by her grandmom, a really fantastic person. Honestly, Heloise is lucky I wasn’t in her life more than I was. I probably would’ve fucked her up.”
“More than you already did.”
He grimaces but doesn’t argue. “Alright. I’ll tell you some things, but not everything. I need to hold a few key bits back. You understand.”
“Fine. I’ll send in my partner, Ren. He’ll get it all sorted.”
“Great.” Danny looks back, considering his next words. “It’s not an act, is it? You’re not trying to pull something over on me, are you? The great Erick Costa is in love with my daughter.”
“Yes, I am very much in love with Hellie, but she’s not your anything. You’re just the scum that brought her into the world. I’m the man that’ll take care of her.”
“I hope so.” He’s smiling huge now, which pisses me off. “I really do.”
I leave the room. Fuck him. I got what I wanted, and if I stay any longer I’m afraid I’ll hurt the guy, which won’t be good for anyone. I head downstairs and find Ren in the kitchen eating my Bolognese with a bit of good red wine.
I sit across from him. Marina brings me a helping. “Smells like heaven,” I say and she pats my shoulder.
I eat and drink. Ren doesn’t say anything. We go on like that in silence for a few minutes, and I do my best to focus on the meal, but there’s too much left unsaid, and I’m sick of not saying shit. Everything’s complicated when I keep my mouth shut.
“I was too hard on you.” I grunt the words out. I’m not a fan of being wrong, much less of apologizing.
“Were you? Hadn’t noticed.”
“Don’t be a prick.” I jab my fork in his direction. “You still fucked up.”
“I know.”
“Alright. We good?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Look, Erick. I’ve known you for a while. You’re my best friend and I realize that’s pretty much the best I’m going to get in terms of a resolution, but seriously, you’re crazy as hell.”
“I know.” I shovel some pasta in my mouth, chew, swallow, take a big gulp of wine. “Food’s good.”
“Really good,” he agrees.
“I’ve got Danny Accardi upstairs still. He says he’s got information about the money he stole. He’s got a partner somewhere, but I can’t be sure where the guy’s hiding or who he is. I want you to take everything he’s offering and run with it.”
“Understood.”
“Hunt down anyone involved. Bring them all in. Accardi wasn’t alone, and I doubt it was only one guy helping.”
“Wide net?”
“Wide as you can get it. Full autonomy. Do what you got to do and let me worry about cleaning up the mess.”
“Understood.” Ren finishes his wine and shoves back from the table. “Glad we’re back, bro.”
“Yeah, alright, don’t start crying on me.” I say it with a smile and he laughs as he walks away, hands in his pockets, ready to do his job.
I go back to eating. Hellie’s on my mind. I want to get back in that bed so badly it hurts, but I’m starving. Marina comes over, refills my glass, and gives me another small helping. Before she walks back to the stove, she bends down and kisses my cheek. “Good man,” she says, patting my shoulder. “Very good man.”
