Page 83 of Never Say Never

"It's a long story," he muttered. "One I've been trapped inside of for years. Trust me, this wasn't something I wanted either."

"You certainly pursued it."

He shifted uncomfortably. "I had a car accident years ago," he said, rushing ahead. "Everyone thought I was dead. My family saw an opportunity and took it. They made me ‘die’ and I became someone else. Paul Gallo. Everything I did, entering the academy, learning, solving cases, that was all me. I worked hard like everyone else. Brought in criminals. Fixed things.”

I scoffed. "You want a pat on the back, you fucking animal?"

Paul sucked in a deep breath. "I know that you're angry?—"

"You have no fucking idea what I am."

"Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands. "This wasn't my idea. My family wanted me to do it. You protect your family, right? Look what you do for the girls."

"I don't commit murder."

He raised a brow. "You wouldn't kill for them?"

I stared at him. The look on Paul's face seemed to say exactly. I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and strangle the life out of him. Huh, seemed he was right. I did have it in me to murder someone.

"You liked bashing that man's brains in," I said, disgust dripping into my voice. "I watched you smile."

"We all have our issues."

"Understatement of the goddamn year," I growled.

"York." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I know you hate my family, and trust me, the feeling is definitely mutual. But if I tell them to keep you safe, they will."

"Where the fuck are we?"

"My brother owns this penthouse. Most of it is filled with people who work for us."

"Soldiers."

"Yeah." Paul sighed.

"You brought me and my girls to a mobster's home?" I asked in disbelief. "Are you fucking high? I'm getting my daughters."

Paul's hand shot out and grabbed my arm. "Don't," he said. "I can keep you safe here. This is the only place I could think of where eyes will be on us twenty-four-seven. We're safe here, despite your prejudices."

My prejudices. I wanted to laugh and spit in his face at the same time. Who the fuck did he think he was? I wasn't against the Vitales on some bullshit whim. Everything they had done, I'd seen. And I was sure that was all surface level. The true horrors of their crimes would always be hidden. They were good at that.

"Give me my phone."

"I needed to destroy it," Paul said.

"Yeah? And I need to explain why I'll be gone before I end up being implicated with your bullshit. You saving my life means shit if I end up behind bars because someone thinks I'm out here helping the Vitales."

Reluctantly, Paul handed me a burner. I thought about calling someone on the team and letting them know what was going on, but it was impossible. Paul was staring fire at the side of my face, and even if he wasn't, I didn't know who else was behind this. Someone had been digging, exposing things that had been hidden for a long time. How else had they realized he was a Vitale? No, this shit was bad. I couldn't rely on anyone. Paul was a criminal, but I felt that stirring in my gut. He would at least keep the girls safe.

Even if he ended up killing me.

I knew how his kind were. They didn't give a damn about life, but from what I'd read about the Vitales, they didn't murder children. Anyone else was a target, but they had lines that they didn't cross. I could only pray that was true and I wasn't about to walk into an empty apartment where each of us would catch a bullet in the back of the head before being deposited in some dumpster somewhere.

A shiver worked through my body, setting my nerves on fire. I quickly typed out my email letting them know that because of the car bomb, I needed to stay with my daughters. It wasn't as if the option hadn't been offered to me, but I meant what I said about not stopping until these people were done. They certainly wouldn't give up until someone stopped them.

"Here," I said, slamming the phone into Paul's outstretched hand. I grabbed the door handle. "Let's go."

Paul yanked me back. "I know I owe you so many explanations."

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