Page 39 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince
She does so, then hands me my phone. “Thanks, Dario.”
“Don’t mention it.”
She leaves my hut with a bag over her shoulder, a notebook, and her cell inside. I watch her go, hoping she’ll take my advice and call me if something’s up. Once she’s gone, I walk down the pier and knock on Uncle Eddy’s door.
No answer.
I head to the restaurant, and he isn’t there either.
Finally, I find him at the base of the ridge where we took the photos, looking up at it.
“Studying your handiwork, uncle?”
He turns, scowling. “What did you just say to me?”
“You heard me,” I growl, walking up to him and staring at him without flinching. “A lot has been going wrong, too much for it to be a coincidence or just dumb luck.”
“I’m not sure I like your tone, nephew.”
“Do you have an alibi for this morning, between nine and ten?”
“Awhat?”
“An alibi,” I grunt. “Don’t make me ask you again. Who can vouch for your whereabouts?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he snarls. “This has to be a joke.”
“Why won’t you answer the question?”
“Who thefuckdo you think you’re talking to?”
I grab him by the front of his shirt. “I know that you’ve been skimming off the top of my father’s gambling business.” His eyes become saucers. “That’s right–I’ve known about it for months. But I figured, well, maybe Uncle Eddy has some debts, and he’s too proud to let my father know. As long as he doesn’t push it too far, I can let it go. But it showed me something… you’re not the man you pretend to be.”
“Let me go. Now.”
I release him, but don’t take a step back. “Alibi–yes or no?”
“I’ve been on myself all morning,” he grunts.
“How convenient.”
“It’s the truth. Why are you even asking?”
“Like you don’t know.” I lean forward. “Whatever this is, you need to stop. If you disturbed those rocks up there?—”
“What?”he almost roars.
“Those rocks weren’t loose, then suddenl?—”
“You’re out of your mind. You’re accusing me of trying to murder my sister-in-law andmy brother.”
“Your men aren’t as loyal as you think, Uncle. There have been whispers about you wanting to be the Don, about you regretting your decision to turn down the consigliere position.”
Eddy’s face turns red.
“Go on–tell me it’s a lie.”
He stares at the ground. “It’s not what you think. Sometimes I drink too much. I say things I shouldn’t. But if you think I’d ever betray the Family, you’re dead wrong.”
