Page 59 of Family Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Not that I’m complaining, but this isn’t the usual place I meet with a client.”

Waving the naked girl off, Gino leaned over the table, sliding the file in the private detective’s direction.

“The girls know the rules,” Gino boasted, waving his hand for another round. “If they want to keep breathing, their mouths stay shut about who and what they see here.”

With the information Elizabeth stumbled upon, Gino was more convinced than ever there was a mole in his Family. Niko suggested they seek outside help.While they agreed on who the person was, they needed more proof before they acted. Killian Green came highly recommended, his fee made Gino take notice, not something he did often.

“Killing a woman,” Killian began, tipping his drink back. “Gives a whole new meaning to sexual equality.”

“I suppose,” Gino shrugged, his phone vibrating in his pocket. He didn’t have to look at the screen to know it was Elizabeth, as she would be home from the office by now. It had been a week since Emilio was shot, and although the second surgery had been a success, he remained in a drug-induced coma. Gino took Elizabeth to sit with him every night after regular visiting hours were over. He’d waited patiently as she told him stories of growing up in Kansas and of her lousy ex-boyfriend, including all the bullshit he pulled on her.

“Listen, I need you to go through that file, dig up everything you can on the people inside. I want all the shit I can’t get my hands on.”

Killian opened the file, his eyes landing on the photograph of the beautiful woman on top. “Are you serious, you want me to investigate—"

“Just do what I’m paying you for, I expect to see results by tomorrow.” Gino tossed a wad of cash on the table, leaving a gaping mouthed man behind as he disappeared into the crowd.

* * *

Elizabeth grew frustratedas her third call to Gino went to voicemail. Visiting hours were over a while ago, and soon it would be too late to see her father.

“You’re here late, is everything okay?”

Tossing her phone to the desk, “Sorry. I was trying to call Gino, but I think he’s tied up in a meeting.”

Sully dipped his head, scratching the back of his neck before shifting his gaze to Elizabeth. “There is no meeting tonight, Elizabeth. I would know, as —"

“I must have gotten the days mixed up.” Elizabeth interrupted, her chest stinging with the implications Sully conveyed. “I should go.” Tossing her coat over her arm, she ran from the office, ignoring Sully’s wishes of having a good night.

Finding her apartment empty, she tossed herself on to the sofa, letting her head fall back into the cushions.

“Elizabeth?” Gino called, his masculine voice echoing down the hall.

“In here,” Elizabeth cried back, reaching for the remote and pointing it at the television on the wall.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” Gino rounded the corner. “My meeting ran late,” he added as he bent over to kiss her.

The stench of old perfume filled her nose, making her want to vomit. She’d smelled it on several men in the office, her assumption of where this meeting was not something she wanted to admit.

Sitting on the couch beside her, Gino pulled her close. “I did try to get out of it on time.”

Unable to look at him in the eye, Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder. “I understand, business is important, but I was hoping to see him since tomorrow night is the fight.”

Kissing the top of her head, “About that.” Gino paused, hating himself for what he was about to do. He’d arranged for Kane to fight a heavy weight. One if he was victorious against, could boost him into the weight class. Something they both wanted.

“I have another meeting. One I would cancel if I could, but I can’t take you to the fight, babe.”

“It’s fine,” Elizabeth’s voice was clipped, standing from the couch and heading toward the kitchen. “I can go early in the morning to visit my father, and then catch the match by myself.”

Jumping from the couch, “I can’t let you do that, Elizabeth. It’s one thing to let you go to work, a place where I have a dozen men watching, but those men don’t know your Vittorio’s daughter. Until I find out who tried to kill your father, I need you to stay here, or up in my penthouse.”

Elizabeth knew fighting him was useless. “Sure, whatever you say, but I have an appointment tomorrow with Lisa.”

“Fine, I’ll have a few of my men go with you.”

* * *

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