As for the safe houses, they’re all intended for short-term stays and they have limited comforts. Finch would be miserable in any one of them. Vitali must know it too, because he passes over them with a one-word judgment of “Unsuitable.”
“Okay, Teo,” Finch snarls in the end. “You’ve told us everywhere that won’t work. Now tell us a place thatwill.”
Vitali’s eyes meet mine, dark and grave, and I understand the problem.
“Let’s leave the discussion for tonight,” I say at once. “Give Vitali time to mull it over, eh? There’s no rush. I can stay in here another few nights.”
Finch turns his irritation onto me. “You’rethe one who wanted to get this figured out. So let’s figure it out.” Vitali and I exchange a glance that Finch intercepts this time. “What?” he asks suspiciously. “What is it?”
Vitali clears his throat. “Well, Mr. D, there’s one more property you hold that could be—”
“Enough,” I break in. “We can deal with it tomorrow.”
“No,” Finch insists. “I want to know what Teo was going to say. What the hell is going on between you two? And if you tell me it’s Family business, I’ll fucking end you both, I swear.”
Vitali gives me this shrug that tells me he won’t be any help. So I bite the damn bullet. “He’s thinking of Tino Morelli’s old place. It’s a free-standing house, it can be easily defended with guards around the perimeter, and…well, it’s been renovated. Cleaned up.”
Finch has gone silent, staring at me without expression. “Tino Morelli’s old place,” he repeats.
“We can discuss our options tomorrow,” I try again.
“Tino Morelli’s place, where hedied?”
“Baby bird,” I say gently, “let’s do this tomorrow. Please.”
Finch looks as though he’s going to be sick. He swallows hard, several times, then nods. I think he’s agreeing with me that we should pick up the discussion tomorrow, but he looks over to Teo. “Is it evensafe? The Clemenzas and Fuscones ran straight through it with no problem.”
Vitali has the sense to look to me before he replies. I give a slight nod and only then does he reply. “It was as safe as the previous Don Morelli allowed it to be at the time. Things were peaceful, or seemed to be. Biggest threats back then came from the Feds. Anyhow—I can make it safer. I can make it a goddamnfortress, set up stuff like the Donovans got over in Boston. But it’ll take a little time.”
“How long?” Finch asks, and then immediately continues, “Stop looking at my husband, Teo.I’masking you a question. How long would it take?”
“I can’t say for sure without a real look at the place, but…two months, maybe three?”
Finch takes it in, looking down at his feet.
“There are other options,” I say softly. “Better options.” Options where Finch’s biological father’s blood doesn’t metaphorically stain the walls and floors. And possibly not so metaphorical; we’ve had that cellar cleaned and repainted multiple times, but every time they sent me photos to approve the work, I thought I could still see a dark shadow where Tino’s blood spilled.
“It’s okay,” Finch says calmly to me, then looks to Vitali. “You have one month, Teo. Understand?”
Vitali wants to argue, I can see, but he just nods.
“Angel,” I begin, but Finch puts up a hand.
“As for getting you out of here, we’ll spend a few nights at Hudson’s—I mean, Frank’s—brownstone, after they release you. When Darla says you’re well enough to travel, we’ll go to Boston and stay with my sister while Teo renovates. But I don’t want Tara in danger any longer than she has to be, so four weeks, max.”
Vitali looks slightly happier, as though having Finch and me out of the city will make his job easier. I’ll let him get away with it. For all that he’s new to the role, Vitaliisvery good at it, and he has Angelo’s approval.
“Your sister has a good setup,” Vitali agrees. “And Aidan’s been talking about visiting his folks. I’ll drive you out, make sure things are still solid there, then head back and get the mansion into shape. I wouldn’t mind checking on their new protocols in Boston, the ones they put in place after the IFF attack on Hillview.”
“Then that’s settled,” Finch says, too casually. “Thank you, Teo.”
Vitali recognizes the dismissal for what it is, and I don’t delay him. He nods to me and withdraws from the room, leaving Finch and me alone with each other. It feels like forever since I’ve been alone with him. I reach out my hand and he takes it, but I can tell something’s coming.
“I wish you would stop doing that,” he says.
I don’t bother to pretend I don’t understand what he means. “It’s my job to protect you, baby bird. Body, mind and soul. I didn’t want to spring the idea of Tino’s place on you like that, not in front of Vitali.”
“Teo is my friend,” Finch says firmly, and now he looks at me. “And you’re my husband. If I can’t face a little emotional torment in front of my friends and family…”
