Apparently, while I was busy watching Mancini work his magic, Ron, Connie, Elena, and Daniel had become fast friends because the two older couples were talking and laughing like old friends. Maybe my perception was a bit off since my mind was still in a fog of confusion, but that’s what it looked like to me.
Before I knew it, the cabin was full, there were toys all over my living room floor, and grown men who looked like they could bench press the empire state building were engaged in babytalk and acted like they were really into it. “Adrian, a minute of your time, please.”
I followed Colton outside, a bit confused. “How come you called me Gia when you arrived, but Adrian now.”
“Because of your two friends. I’m not sure how much you want them to know.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that. I guess it’s all over now anyway. You never told me how you found me.”
“I figured out the alias, and we ran your new name through a specialized search engine. We got a pop, which led us here, and we did some more work because you did a good job of hiding, but here we are.”
“Did something happen to my grandmother? Is that why you’re here?” Why didn’t I think of that? Why else would they be here now?
“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s about Gabriel.” I thought I was going to pass out and knew I’d at least stumbled when his arms came around me to hold me up.
DRACO
“We’ve found the girl!”
“Are you kidding me?” I stood from the chair in front of the hotel desk where I’d been sitting trying to get some work done.
“No, I wouldn’t kid about a thing like that. We’ve found her; I told you we would. There’s…. something, but I’m not sure I should tell you on the phone.”
“What is it? Is she hurt? Where is she?”
“No, she’s not hurt, nothing to worry about, but I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything!”
“Don’t tell your son that we’ve found her yet. Give us a day or two; buy us some more time.”
I had to give it some thought. Keeping something like this from Gabe could pose a problem, and it goes against everything I stand for to keep it from him, but Mancini has proven himself more than once, and I have to believe he knows what he’s doing.
“Can you guarantee me that this wait is beneficial to my son?”
“Yes! Don’t forget why we’re here, why we came to you. We have his best interest at heart; never doubt that. And I promise you’re going to like this surprise. I’ll get back to you as soon as we have things in order here.”
“Thank you, thank you so much.”
“No thanks needed, see you soon.” I hung up the phone feeling like a boulder had been lifted from off my chest.
Though there was a good chance this wouldn’t make a difference to Gabe, won’t stop him going forward with his plans, I couldn’t help but remember the state he’d been in when she left. He might’ve thought it would be easy, but the reality, I am sure, had proved to be more than he could handle.
I have to think positively, have to believe that this is the break we needed to snap him out of it. My boy has spent so much time being a man that he never stood a chance. Even his first love he’d given up on because he didn’t think he was worth life. Whenever I think of this, I could just slip into the palazzo and end Ricci once and for all.
I can do it, nothing standing in my way. Except for my son’s staunch belief that it’s his to do, that as a son, he has to do this to cleanse his mother. I know it, but I’d rather give up my life so that he can have his in full. A perfect outcome would be if no one but Ricci and his pals paid.
What am I thinking? This isn’t the time to get bogged down with negative thoughts. Gia’s coming home. No matter what, Gabe is going to be ecstatic. I smiled and looked around the room, wishing I had someone to share this great news with before reaching for the phone to call my wife. No matter what, I can’t keep shit from her, and I knew she wouldn’t say a word once I told her not to. She knows she’s been skating on thin ice since my son started coming here, and she’s been on her best behavior.
Plus, she’s too busy being worried about Gabe and the outcome of this visit which I did not hide from her. Only his sisters have no idea where he is, they think he’s off for some leisure trip somewhere, and their mother and I have kept them busy with their own luxury trips to keep the questions from coming.