“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But that kid is better off without you. Someone had to protect Umberto's legacy." His voice drips with contempt. "You helped kill him. You shouldn’t be anywhere near his grandchildren."
"You stupid bastard. I didn't betray Umberto. Your precious Don Aldo did."
“Fuck you, Monti.”
“No, fuck you, you dumbass. Aldo must have known you were an idiot not to tell you his plan.To let you buy into his scheme to frame me.”
“You’re delusional.”
“And you’re blind. Aldo wanted his brother gone. He set him up, then blamed me to cover his tracks. And you bought it hook, line and sinker, just like he wanted. You’re so stupid, you couldn't see you were serving the real traitor all along."
Gio shakes his head, but I catch the first hint of doubt in his eyes. "You're lying."
"Am I? Then why hasn’t Dom ever moved against me?" My finger tightens on the trigger. "Because he knew the truth, Gio."
I keep my gun trained on Gio. One twitch and I could end this. Revenge for Umberto, for the years I lost, for taking my son.
"Where's Blackwood?" I demand, voice deadly calm despite the rage coursing through me. "I know you're working with him."
Confusion flashes across Gio's face. "Blackwood? The FBI agent?" He shakes his head vehemently. "You’re the one who’s an idiot. I didn’t take your kid and I don't work with Feds. Never have."
"Bullshit. Why are you here then?”
His jaw tightens. “I don’t have to tell you shit.”
“Nope, you don’t.” I press the gun against his temple. “It wasn’t nice knowing you.”
“Jesus fuck, Luca. I’m here because Dom said something about Aldo being behind everything. This is where it started, so I came down here.”
“After seven years, you thought you’d find something?” I shake my head in disbelief. He really is a dumb fuck. How did he make this long? More likely, he’s making shit up to confuse me. “Where did Blackwood take my son?”
Gio's eyes hold steady on mine. "I hate your guts, Monti. I won't deny that. But I'd never hand one of our own to the Feds, especially not Umberto's grandson."
Something in his voice gives me pause. If Gio had taken Rocco, he'd be gloating right now, throwing it in my face that he'd "rescued" my son from me. Instead, he looks as bewildered as I feel.
"If not you, then who?" I press the gun harder against his temple.
"I don't know. But if Blackwood has Rocco, killing me won't help you find him."
My mind races, weighing possibilities against probabilities. Gio's a lot of things, loyal to his dead Don to a fault, vindictive, stubborn, but he's no actor.
"Fuck!" I lower my weapon, shoving him hard against the wall. "If I find out you're lying to me…"
"I'm not." He straightens his jacket, eyeing me warily. "I want to find who took Umberto's grandson as much as you do."
“And you think he’s here?”
“Like I said, it all started here. Maybe whoever took him is sending a message to you. That’s why you’re here, right? You think it’s me.”
I step back, holstering my gun. "Get out of here.” I want to look around on my own.
Gio nods stiffly, moving toward the door. "For what it's worth, Monti, I hope you find the boy and then leave Elena alone. She was doing fine without you."
On that we both agree.
As he disappears into the snowy night, doubt gnaws at me.
Have I just let Rocco's kidnapper walk free?
