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“How are you so certain? You said he doesn’t want him.”
“He doesn’t even believe he’s his. But he will use whatever leverage he can find to get what he wants.” She sounded despondent. But Gabriel’s father had no idea who was coming for him. He would sign whatever was required. I’d make sure of it.
“Do you still communicate with him?” I asked when it occurred to me as if she were speaking of someone she knew instead of a one-night stand.
“Sometimes,” she said quietly.
“What does he want?”
“I don’t know. I’m so afraid he’ll come for Gabriel.” She clutched my side.
“Why would he do that?” She wasn’t making sense. If he didn’t want Gabriel, then he shouldn’t try to take him away.
“Because he can.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Carlos
“I don’t feelgood about this.”
I cupped Holly’s face as we stood outside Donato’s SUV in the parking garage.
“It’s either this or run. That’s no life for us.”
I’d set up the meet with Eduardo for later that evening. Holly and Gabriel were spending the night at Donato’s family compound in Connecticut. Muriella had declined to go. She felt safe with Stone and Daniel, and no amount of coercing could convince her.
“Don’t play the hero. I just want you to come home.” Her stern mom-voice got me every time.
She kissed the corner of my mouth.
“We can do better than that.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not kissing you like it's the last time.”
“Kiss me like I'm the man you want to spend eternity with.”
Her lips were soft as she pressed them into mine. She was in no hurry, yet I felt her urgency when she fisted my sweater and pulled me closer. I splayed my hands on her back and prayed I’d never have to put her in a situation such as this again. Her bravery was inspiring.
“I love you. You aren’t alone.” She kissed the center of my palm. It was a promise of her commitment to us. She stood behind me, and I was all the stronger for it.
I returned the gesture and helped her into the back of the SUV. Gabriel was secured in a car seat. I double checked the seat belt before I dug in my pocket. “I want you to have this. Keep it with you.” My mother's rosary fell into his palm, the beads dangling.
Gabriel studied it for a second and then held it out to me. “You keep it today. I'll take it when you get home.”
I didn't object, nodding abruptly and shoving the rosary back in my pocket. I wondered for a second if he knew something I didn't.
I kissed both of their foreheads. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” Would I ever get used to those words?
“I’ll see you tonight.”
Closing the car door was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I slapped the roof of the car twice and watched until the taillights faded. It was time to end this part of my life once and for all.
“Sabotage”by the Beastie Boys blared through the speakers in Muriella's Range Rover. I couldn't picture her listening to music like this, let alone at this volume, but this was part of my ritual. In the noise, I found solace and could focus on what I had to do. I didn't particularly want to end Eduardo’s life, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it either. It was the repercussions that would keep me up at night.
It seemed as if I’d only been in the car long enough to play the song once when I stopped it a few blocks from Daniel’s warehouse under a busted streetlamp. I felt at my calf, confirming the knife strapped against my skin. I cocked my gun, made sure it was loaded, and shoved it in my waistband. Another gun with a silencer went into the front of my dark slacks.
