Tristan and Enzo were waiting for me in the foyer. Without a word, Tristan opened the door and stepped outside, scanning my father's front yard as Enzo and I followed behind him and got into the SUV. It wasn't until we were on the road back to the lake house that Enzo spoke up.
"How did it go?"
I stared out the window. "He wouldn't do it.”
"And Veda?" Tristan asked from the back.
"I can do whatever I want with her, so long as I can get her back while keeping Mario alive for my father to deal with."
Enzo turned on his blinker and eased out onto I-35. "Did he tell you anything else?"
"No."
"What are you going to do? With Mario, I mean," Tristan clarified. He knew me well enough to know I'd taken about all that I would take, despite my father’s orders.
"Whatever I have to."
They fell silent, and I took a deep breath, glad for the reprieve. I would get Veda back alive. And I would do whatever I had to do to make it happen.
Fuck my father.
Please. Please, Veda. My vita. Still be alive.