“I wouldn’t be so sure. With everything going on, I don’t know how long Luca can back Zoe, even if it’s on the down-low.”
“You heard something?”
“No. I mean, I had no idea Zoe was here, but tensions are high between Luca and Marco, and if Marco found out you were here with her—I don’t know if either of you would survive.”
“I won’t let anything happen to her.” He glanced at the stairs and then back at me. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
It was clear that while he may be a Moretti by blood, his loyalty was to his Greek princess.
“I do.”
I set my mug in the sink and rocked on my heels. “I think I’m going to head out. Who knows how long the loser twins will be MIA. It’s probably best they don’t make their way here and see you two.”
“I still can’t believe they let you drive all the way here without an escort.” He walked with me to the door.
“It’s not the first time they’ve not been where they’re supposed to be, so I’m guessing they’ll have their asses handed to them.”
“If they’re lucky.” Tootsie’s face was relaxed as if he wasn’t discussing the potential demise of two men. He picked up my bag and carried it to the car. “You all set?”
“I think so. Thanks for getting my car unstuck. Should’ve probably gone for the bigger car.”
He laughed. “That’s probably true.” He patted the roof and stepped back with a nod. “Drive safe, and let me know when you get home?”
“You got it.”
The drive home gave me time to digest the information Zoe gave me. Cy Chronis and Dante Moretti Sr. should’ve been pals because the similarities just kept piling up.
Psychos who tried to murder innocent women? Check.
Assholes who ruin family members' lives for power? Check.
Fuckers who needed to be handled so everyone else could go about their business? Check.
With Yanni Chronis dead, Zoe’s brother Nikos headed the family with his brother Alex’s support—the Chronis equivalent of Luca and Marco. I didn’t know how close the brothers were to taking out the asshole ruining their family, or how Yanni’s death and all the recent kickups would focus them on payback for the Morettis.
The longer Zoe stayed “missing,” the closer the cops came to arresting Luca. We needed their asses home yesterday.
After hours of driving through hilly then flat Missouri, I hit the St. Louis city limit. As I passed the welcome sign, police lights flashed in my rearview mirror, and sirens blared.
Hundreds of miles of speeding, and it was only once I let my foot off the gas that I got clocked. Letting out a harsh breath, I pulled over, leaving my hands on the steering wheel. The sun was high in the sky, so I had to squint at my side mirror to see the cop in street clothes strolling up to the car.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The fucker used his nightstick to knock on my window.
Deliberately, I lifted my left hand from the steering wheel and cracked the window.
“Turn off the vehicle.”
I turned the keys and looked through the window. Detective Bennington smirked at me in all his douchebag glory. My stomach dropped, and for the first time, I wished the Marino twins were here.
“Ms. Mitchell. Did you get a chance to give Mr. Moretti my card?”
It’d be wise not to poke the bear.
“Sorry, no.” I looked past him to the empty city street. “Was there a reason you pulled me over?”
He leaned his forearms against the car, his face leaning in so close I could have caught his nose if I rolled up the window. “I wanted to check in. Make sure you didn’t need anything.”