Page 46 of Declan's Dove

Violet

“Where are we going?” I ask Matteo, who is engrossed in his phone.

After our plane landed in Oakridge, Vincenzo took Emilia and the doctor and whisked them away to his estate. I was placed in the back of a blacked-out SUV with Matteo and being taken to meet with Kayce. The problem is none of these roads look familiar, but I know for damn sure we are not headed into town where my son is.

“Boss said to take you to Kayce’s secure location.”

“But why? Shouldn’t he be talking to Emilia and Vincenzo? I have nothing to do with anything. All I did was leave to get my friend and bring her some help. I don’t understand why that would constitute a secret meeting with Kayce in the mountains.” If my fear isn’t evident to Matteo by the shakiness in my voice, I’m sure he can see it in the trembling of my hands.

He reaches over, gripping my hands with one of his and offering a gentle squeeze. “Relax, Dolcezza. I’m not sending you to your death.” He chuckles, then releases my hands, returning to his phone. “It’s a conversation between friends.” The way he says friends doesn’t make me feel confident I’m not walking into a trap of some sort.

Vincenzo wouldn’t do anything to hurt me, but it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t send me away to someone who would. I don’t know how the Mafia works, but it seems like something a mob boss would do. Send his nuisance away with his henchmen to be stowed away and dealt with by someone else? Would Kayce really allow something like this?

What if he doesn’t know? What if they’re just saying Kayce wants to meet with me so they can hide me away somewhere else where Kayce wouldn’t know?

I’m racking my brain for reasons Vincenzo would want to send me away. I have done nothing to upset him that I can think of. Okay, maybe I was a little disrespectful with my tone at times, but Mili is my friend and she needed help, not another gruffer, overbearing asshole growling orders in her face.

I did question his decisions when it came to her care. Not because I don’t trust him to ensure she gets the proper care, but because he wasn’t allowing her to make any decisions for herself. She’s a grown woman. A doctor. She should be able to make her own choices in her care.

I especially questioned when Vincenzo told us where she would stay and what she would be doing. He doesn’t know her like I do. He’s not someone important in Mili’s life. So, for him to be telling us she would be staying with him at his mansion until his doctor deemed her healthy enough to be on her own didn’t make sense to me. Add in the fact he told me I couldn’t come visit her for a while for all our safety, and I was pissed. I don’t care that he had a valid point. He could’ve asked or discussed the situation rather than telling us what was going to happen and then demanding we obey.

Overbearing asshole.

Sounds like someone else I know.

My only comfort is knowing while I may not be allowed to see her for a few days, Emilia will give Vincenzo hell every step of the way. Mili comes from a family much like Vincenzo’s. I knew the last place she would want to be is held captive by a Mafia Don. But I also know she’s no wilting flower. I smile inside at the thought.

Now here I am, in a small space with one of Vincenzo’s most loyal men. Matteo’s broad shoulders and imposing personality taking up most of the space in the backseat as we drive to … I don’t know where.

I wish I could call Kayce to verify what Matteo has said.

I reach for my phone, intending to text Kayce and ask just that, but Matteo grabs the phone, removing it from my hand.

“Sorry, Dolcezza,” he says almost sheepishly. As if that’s supposed to stop the impending panic, I feel inside from happening. He pockets the burner phone he had given me. “I need to take this back to the boss.”

“You took the one Kayce gave me. How will I get in contact if I n-need anything? I don’t have Kayce’s number programmed anywhere else.”

“I’m sure you will have everything you need when we get there.”

The car takes a turn and we’re now on a dirt road full of bumps and holes heading into the forest.

“The better to hide the body,” I mutter quietly to myself.

“Did you say something?” Matteo asks, smirking.

“No. I was just wondering why Kayce would choose a place in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by trees, and is that … a hunter’s space?”

“It’s called a deer blind. It’s where hunters sit and wait for their prey to come to them before killing them.” I feel the blood draining from my face and Matteo seems amused by my reaction.

Shit. How will I ever escape this?

Matteo’s hearty laugh fills the cab of the vehicle. “Relax, Dolcezza. You look like someone who is being led to the slaughter.”

“Aren’t I?” The words are out before I can stop them.

Matteo’s laugh gets louder. He rubs his face with his hand as he calms himself. “Oh, shit. Thank you, Violet. I needed that laugh today.”

“Glad my fear of death could brighten your day.”

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