Page 50 of Breaking Matt
I raised my eyebrows.
Seeing my questioning gaze, Matthew said, "He was also convicted on a murder charge."
It was like my life was playing out in some sort of crime movie about mob bosses and stuff. Murder—taking someone's life!
"Is he the one who is after me?" I asked, needing to know that information already.
He shook his head.
"There were so many threats before and obviously they'd increased with your father's profile. At first we weren't sure who was after you but we believe we have narrowed it to the most likely person."
"So who is it, then?" I asked, holding his gaze. I wouldn't show how scared I was on the inside.
"His son," he answered. "Nicolas Cole. We think it's about revenge."
And I was the object of his revenge. He was after me to get back at my father. It wasn't a surprise, but it still shook me to my core.
"So now that we know it was him, what do we do about it?" I asked. Surely there was a way to protect me and the people close to me, including Matthew.
"It's complicated and it'll take time," he answered.
I looked at him incredulously.
"How complicated can it be?"
I could feel my temper rising at the unfairness of the situation. People were responsible for their actions. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with what they'd done to Courtney—it had been so bad she'd blocked it out.
"We have no concrete evidence that links him to the attack. We can't identify the person who took Courtney to the hospital. There was no surveillance of her kidnapping, and without her memory we have nothing," he answered.
This couldn't be happening. I threw my hands up in the air in frustration. Standing up, I began to pace.
"Do we have to wait for him to be holding a gun to someone's head before we can convict him of anything?" I asked, feeling like I was drowning in the hopelessness of the situation.
"Something like that," he said. He didn't look happy about it either.
"And what happens if by some miracle that does happen? How do I know someone won't decide to take revenge for putting him behind bars?" I asked, my anger evident in the tone of my voice. It could be an endless circle with no end in sight, which meant I may never be safe.
"If Nick gets convicted then you'll be safe," he assured me. "Family is the only link in this revenge and if Nick is taken out of the picture, the next guy to take his place won't care about revenge. They'll be happy to take over his position. It's all about money and power."
I rubbed my head, trying to wrap my mind around what he'd just revealed to me.
"So you're saying as long as this Nick guy is walking the streets, my life and the lives of the people close to me are in danger?"
He nodded.
I let out a deep breath as I walked over to the window that overlooked the street in front of the apartment block. It was a lot to take in.
"But can't they still get their revenge from prison?" I asked, turning to face Matthew.
"Not likely if they don't have the people on the outside to carry it out."
"But this could go on for ages if my father can't get a conviction on him." I felt the hopelessness again at the idea that I could be a target for a long time. I would become a prisoner, not wanting to live my life for fear of him getting to me. And for fear of the people I loved being attacked.
"Why do you think they hurt Courtney?" I asked. I had a good idea of why but I needed him to confirm it.
"To scare you."
They had succeeded. I was petrified. I rubbed my hands over my face. It was so much to take in.
