“Hey, I thought all that food was for me,” Gabriel said, looking dismayed. The cat jumped onto the counter and staked his claim to the fish tacos.
“We brought enough,” Leanna said. “And if you cooperate, we’ll have more food for you.”
She went to the pantry and set the table. “Papa, you’re sitting next to me. I can’t believe you missed your shots.”
“I wasn’t really trying to kill anyone,” he grumbled, still glaring at Vinny. “I just didn’t want him to shoot me.”
“I wouldn’t have missed either if I wanted to kill you,” Vinny spat back. “What’s this tomfoolery about you two getting married?”
“Engaged.” Leanna flashed her fiery opal ring.
Vinny jerked his face toward Axe. “That’s your mother’s ring.”
Axe looped his arm around Leanna’s shoulders and kissed the side of her head. “This is how serious I am. Let’s get on the same page. We want both of our daughters safe and sound. We want peace between the families, and we want you to work together.”
Leanna’s father paled, and he sat down heavily at the table. “I can’t go against Cano’s orders.”
“You already have,” Leanna said. “I bet his orders were for you to kill one of us. Maybe even me or the kid. Is that right?”
“No!” His eyes popped wide. “I haven’t…”
Leanna nodded, knowing her father’s failure meant death. Joshua punished disobedience with execution. She rubbed his shoulder. “Papa, we have to protect our family.”
“I left your mother unguarded.” He put his face in his hands.
“I can help,” Vinny said. “I have a man back in San Francisco. It looks like you’re done as far as Cano is concerned. I owe you one for not shooting my son. Axe, give me my phone.”
Axe slid his phone to him.
“Okay, let’s eat,” Leanna said. “Gabriel, we’re here to help. Tell us about Carmelita. Where is she?”
“I don’t know,” Gabriel said. “I haven’t heard from my brother or his friends.”
“When was the last time you saw her?” Leanna passed out the food to the hungry men.
“When she told me she was in danger. She said her mother is sending her away because someone found out she’s a Mafia princess.”
“Who?” Leanna shot a glance at Axe.
“She wouldn’t tell us. The man spoke to her parents. He wanted money from them.” Gabriel’s eyes pointed to the table, and she could tell he was afraid to identify the man.
“What happened next?” Leanna gave Gabriel a reassuring glance.
Gabriel looked around the room and blinked. “She left. She promised to text, but I never heard from her. Then her mom and dad went around the neighborhood asking for her. They were frantic, so we knew she wasn’t in a safe situation. Then El Bardo shows up and says to everyone in the neighborhood to deny Carmelita existed. I was scared then, because I figured someone wanted to snuff her out.”
He wiped his eyes and shoved a big bite of food into his mouth to hide his distress.
Axe’s father cleared his throat and set his fork down. “El Bardo is my informant. He told me he could capture Carmelita and exchange her for Soledad, my granddaughter. I told him it was a dangerous proposition. Cano is not one to be played with.”
“I agree,” Leanna’s father said. “Cano must have gotten wind of something because he told me to tail you to Mexico and take you and your son out of the picture.”
Leanna’s hand fluttered to her chest. That had been a close call. If she and Axe hadn’t gotten engaged and did that parade for their fathers…
“I haven’t heard from El Bardo,” Axe’s father said. “He claims he can’t find Carmelita and suggested holding Leanna for ransom.”
“El Bardo is dead,” Leanna said. “He caught me but had an accident driving. No seatbelts will do it to you.”
“Oh, you’re okay?” Her father gaped at her. “So, we’re still no closer to figuring out where Carmelita is?”
