Page 51 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Nikolai's brows went up. “How true we think that is?”

“Very,” Gerard said. “I’d heard rumors, but the rat confirmed. The family’s been buying off his muscle, offering immunity to those willing to pass on information.”

That was interesting. Very interesting. Nikolai had been wondering what was going on there since they hadn’t heard from any Vitale aside from Mattia.

“They are going to do something?” He asked.

“That’s the problem,” Gerard said. “There’s apparently some sort of rift between Mattia's parents and the rest of the family. Otherwise they already would have. Our plan would’ve worked, ‘cept Mattia's parents have too much sway and they’re backing their baby boy.”

Nikolai frowned. “I see.”

“Yeah. I’m going to keep asking around. See if we can’t get in contact with some of the family. If they also have a problem with Mattia…” Gerard flipped his knife closed. “Well the enemy of my enemy, etcetera.”

Nikolai nodded. “Be careful. I don’t trust them.”

Gerard snorted. “Me either, mate.”

“Vitale won’t bend, I’m not thinking,” Nikolai said with a sigh. “Even for his boyfriend.”

“What was your first clue,” Gerard grumbled. “Our shop getting blown sky high?”

“I am sorry—”

Gerard held his free hand up to stop Nikolai’s apology. “Don’t. We both had our doubts about this plan, but we agreed it was our best shot at something peaceful. I was on board with you, and now we both know that something else needs to be done. I’ll ask around.”

“Thank you,” Nikolai said. “For this and everything. You have run all everything lately.”

“Sure,” Gerard said easily. “But keeping a hostage is kind of a twenty-four-seven job. How’s it been? You haven’t really said.”

Wasn’t that a loaded question. “Is fine. Elliot is easy. Passive. No trouble.”

Gerard squinted at him. “Elliot? You’re on a first name basis with the kid now?”

Nikolai crossed his arms, breaking eye contact. “He’s ask me, I say yes. Is nothing.”

“That doesn’t sound like nothing,” Gerard said, taking a step forward. “That sounds like you’re being a bleeding heart about this.”

Nikolai didn’t roll his eyes, but he wanted to. “Is fine. Normal kidnapping.”

He said it because he knew Gerard would laugh, and he did. “‘Normal kidnapping,’ he says. Fucking hell. Should I ask about the late night drinking?”

Nikolai sniffed. “I have not been. Too busy.”

Gerard squinted again. “No shit?”

“No shit.”

“Well thank fuck for that,” Gerard said, rocking back on his heels. “Maybe you should kidnap people more often.”

Chapter 11: Elliot

Elliot sort of hated how soft the teddy bear was. Hated how plush it was, the velvet sleekness under his fingers when he stroked over the fur. He’d had a few carefully chosen stuffed animals over the years kept secreted away, but none of them had ever been this nice. Elliot could tell the second he touched it that the bear was expensive.

He didn’t know what to think.

The puzzle books had been a surprise, but they’d been a practical gift, a way to wile away the hours of boredom spent trapped in his room.

The teddy bear was not. The teddy bear wasn’t for entertainment, or for passing time. The teddy bear, to him, was comfort. Care.

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