Mafia's Redemption: Terzo - Chapter 57: Chapter 57

TERZO
“So where’s the girl now?”
“Nobody knows, probably alive with a new identity somewhere safe that nobody can find her, or maybe dead.” Even Ridge had a horror look on her face. “There was a slight chance she was taken away from that massacre that night.”
“What the fuck, Ridge?”
“I know it’s a lot to take in, but you know what to do.”
“Damn right I do.”
“What about Adams? Where is she?”
“She was last seen crossing the Georgian border, investigating the anomaly at the Moroziv pipeline.”
“What kind of anomaly?”
“Ruslan Olezka’s men were seen in that territory, somewhat like regrouping.”
Fuck. My heart stuttered to a stop at the mention of his name. Every time I heard his name, it creeped me out, which reminded me of the black Dahlia.
I could feel it in my bones that the retaliation was imminent, and I didn’t know how to protect my family, my people, and my wife when she didn’t even want to talk to me.
“But he’s locked up. Who’s running the business then?”
“A new guy just appeared out of nowhere, named Ivor Yrosov.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell, but I know someone might know him.”
“Who? Ilya Vasilyev?”
“Yes. Let me know if you find something. I’ll call you if Adams needs help.”
“You should hire Katie. She’s good. Thanks for that horrifying story, Ridge. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have news. Can you update me if Adams makes a call?”
“Sure.”
I felt like I was floating after I heard the story. Ridge wouldn’t just create something like that. It was horrifying.
My mind went to Dani. It made me realize that she was right to be mad at me. Looking at our situation right now, there was no way I would bring an innocent child into this world as long as I was a mafia.
Goosebumps erupted all over my skin just the thought that Ruslan Olezka’s men were back in business. It meant I had a lot to think about how to protect my people. If someone was running his criminal empire, then the order must have come from him, or this guy Ivor Yrosov had taken over.
At the same time, I wanted to kill Francesco— no, I would kill myself. That was guaranteed.
I left the cafe with a lot on my head, mostly thinking of how to get to my wife.
My heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing her again. It was too early to tell, but I was done waiting. We could solve our marital issues once I had her somewhere safe. And I would kidnap her if I needed to.
I was sure Lake’s hired men were capable, but they had limits, they had rules to follow, and that would get my wife killed before they could act. Unlike me and my lieutenants, we only followed one rule— kill or get killed.
“Is everything okay?” Gio brought me back from musing.
“Nope. Everything is not okay.” I dialed Alessio, my father’s loyal bodyguard and right-hand man.
“If you want us to find your wife and bring her to you, just say a word.”
I glared at Marco. “Aren’t we doing that for the last two days?”
He shrugged. “You know you’re more capable than that. You’re just giving her space. Since you’ve pissed her off, you don’t want signora to hate you.”
“Oh, I think the ship has sailed. She already hates me.”
“That’s not true,” Gio backed him up. “She’s angry and hurt, but she doesn’t hate you.”
My chest lightened a bit. “I hope you’re right.” I gestured for them to give me a minute when the call answered. “Alessio, do you have a minute?”
“Of course, boss. You’re father is receiving a call right now. How can I help you?”
“Can you pay someone to seduce Francesco? An escort or someone from the club.”
“Why?” he asked with curiosity.
I saw the confusion in Marco and Gio’s eyes. “That motherfucker is a fraud. I have proof, but what I want to know is if he’s really Dani’s father. The moment I found out they’re not related, he’s dead.”
“What do you want the escort to do?”
“Seduce him and get me a hair sample or even his semen. It would be nice if she gets her dick. I’ll triple the money.”
“Of course. Anything else?”
“The dick part is a joke, Alessio.” He sometimes was too serious and focused to get the humor, but I trusted him.
“Of course, sir. I’ll let you know when I have the sample. By the way, your father is asking when you and signora are gonna be back.”
“I ran into some issues, but we’ll be home soon once I have it all handled.”
“Okay, sir. Be careful.”
I hung up the call. I could practically see the gears rolling in their heads with so many questions. “Let’s go find my wife.”
“About damn time.” Gio grinned as he revved the engine and drove the car towards the main road.
I dialed my sister. I would find my wife with or without her help.
“I’m not telling you where she is, Terzo. Go find someone else to piss off. I’m busy.” No hi or hello. Maverick didn’t just turn her back on her brother to protect Dani, and it pissed me off and admired her loyalty to the family at the same time.
“Well, you might wanna consider this, Maverick. What I’m about to tell you—”
“I don’t wanna hear it. She trusts me to protect her secret, and I’m not going to betray that trust. Do you understand me?”
I briefly closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Maverick, I’m done playing your games. I know what I did is wrong, but her life is in grave danger if you won’t tell me exactly where she is.”
“What made you think I would believe you?”
“Don’t believe me. Hate me all you want, but I care about my wife, and I promised to protect her life. I will find her one way or another if she's taken by my old enemy, then that’s on you, and if something bad happens to her, you and I are over. Consider me a stranger because I don’t want to have someone in my family who betrays me.” I hung up the call, furious and hurt.
The grip around my phone was too tight the screen almost shattered.
“Fuck.” I didn’t know what to do anymore to convince her that Dani meant more to me than anything in this world.
I breathed deeply when my chest felt so tight as my mind raced with what Olezka could do to Dani if his men got to her first. He wouldn’t care whether he was killing innocent men and women to get to me. If they got in his way, he considered them threats.
My phone vibrated in my hand. The ringtone blasted. My sister called. “What do you want, Maverick?”
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m just trying to protect her and help her recuperate. What you did to your wife was horrible, but I can’t betray her trust. Before you curse me and hang up on my face, hear me out first.”
“I’m listening,” I said nonchalantly so that she would know I was mad.
“She’s hurt, and she’s not dealing. Consider her seeking therapy. I think something happened that traumatized her.” Oh, fuck. I hoped she did not collapse again.
“Did something happen?” My heart squeezed tight.
“I heard her crying, and not just crying. She was sobbing in her sleep, and she was sometimes so jumpy.”
“I’ll do my best to get help.”
“Or maybe she just needs you. What I mean by needs you. Be with her, support her, make her feel safe, and that you’re not the bad guy. Consider opening up to her, your greatest fear, what food you like, your favorite childhood memories, even your most embarrassing one. She’s very kind, and I like her, Terzo. So don’t break her heart.”
“Thank you.”
“I won’t tell you the address, okay, but do you remember when I had a huge fight with Lake and you brought—”
“I got it. Thank you, sis.” I hung up the call. “Boys, take Dani’s things from her apartment. Bring them to mine.”