Jace releases Nyla and stands. Gio nods and pulls the two Glocks from the back of his waistband. Swiftly, Jace grabs one cleaner and snaps his neck. Gio shoots the other two in the back of the head.
“We’ll clean this up,” Lucas says. “Who made the call?”
“Gio,” I reply.
“When the cleaners arrived, there was a second attack. We handled it but their guys didn’t make it. After, I used their supplies to clean it all up,” Gio says emotionlessly.
I nod. “That’s good, but you and Jace should drop the van off with their guys. I’ll give you a drop location they’ll find.”
“I’ll make the calls and take care of all of this. What’s the plan for you and Gwen?” Lucas mutters. I know he’s not happy about this.
“I need to talk to those friends of ours. It’s time I put them in play. I’ll go to Barbados before I head to Italy.”
“I’ll go,” Gwen says. “He’s my brother-in-law. You’re better off going straight to your father.”
“No. I’ll go, you go with Ma. It will be better coming from me. You and Ma need to disappear. No one should know either of you is still alive.
“I’ve got this. I’m a son looking for revenge. What do you need? Who do I need to see?” Gio says.
“He’s right,” Lucas says. “Let’s look at the long game. If you won’t allow me to get involved, allow Gio to start making friends with your pawns. He’ll be king now that you’re removing yourself from the board.”
“You’re going to make friends with a funeral director. He’s the one person you can trust with this information. He’s going to help you with all funeral arrangements from here.
“You’ll find we have something he’s been wanting. In time, you will settle that debt, but it has to be at the right time. These are friends of ours with mutual interests.”
“Then it should be me. Riccardo will be watching Gio. It will look strange for him to disappear now.”
“Fair point. I say Jace goes and delivers the message for a meeting with Gio. He has a business here. It won’t look out of place. Allow Gio to talk to him here in the States,” Gwen says.
“I don’t want Pat involved. She’s not to be the civilian in the middle of this anymore. Gio’s only to deal with the brothers.”
“Pat Mitchell?” Gio says in confusion.
“Son, you have a lot to learn,” Lucas says. “The doctor and her family have been longtime friends of ours.”
“You and Jace will join me in Italy, but not now. Give it some time.”
“Ava,” Lucas growls.
“It has to be this way. You need to watch over Dario and Dante. Gio’s place is with me. Like you said, this is the long game. Patience, my love. It will all work out in the end.”
Nyla stands with tears running down her cheeks. She sways as she comes to her feet as if drunk with sorrow. Looking up through her lashes at me she glares.
“And me? What am I to do? Pretend he didn’t take my life from me?” She tilts her head sideways, looking on the verge of snapping. “What is there for me? I have nothing left. What about me, Don Ava? Where do I fit in all of this?”
“Ny,” Gio hisses.
I hold my hand up. “No, Gio. She has a right.”
I move toward the girl I’ve seen like a daughter of my own since she was born. I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. As she collapses into my embrace. I whisper in her ear. “You become who she trained you to be. This is what he needs you for. Give it time. You all will be together again. I will send for you when the time is right.”
I back away and hold on to her shoulders as I look into her eyes. “For now, we allow everyone to forget who you are. You will live a normal life and grow up with your sister.”
“Elijah can take the girls. I know he’ll be more than happy to do this for Carl. Give it some time, I’ll find a way to come back and help out.”
“Elijah? Gwen—”
“It’s okay. I trust him and he’ll understand.”
“I can’t ask you to do this for me.”
“You’re not asking. It’s already done. I know he will do this. It won’t be forever.”
I release a breath. She’s right. We need time. That’s all. If everyone can play their part until the right time, we can get through this.
“Riccardo just needs to forget us. Once that happens, we can start to move,” I say.
Nyla wipes a hand under her nose and sniffles. “He’s my kill. I’ll do whatever else you want, but when he dies, it’s my bullet. That’s all I ask.”
“I’ll make it happen,” Gio replies before I can protest.
With that, my life as a mother ends. I put Ava Di Lorenzo to rest, along with my best friend and her husband. Not forever, one day I will resurrect, and I’ll call for my price in blood.