“No. Aurelio didn’t order it. People were talking about that constantly. They were concerned that they would be killed if Aurelio showed up or found out.”
I furrow my brow and glance at Vin, who nods at me. “So you’re saying Abbiati did this on his own?”
The guy groans. “I don’t know, man, but I don’t think so. There was a woman who showed up sometimes. She seemed like she was in charge. But he didn’t mind doing it, so I don’t know what was happening there.”
The woman who tried to stop me from grabbing Giovanna when I found her flashes across my mind. I’d forgotten about her. “Are you talking about the nurse?”
“Who? No, not the nurse. Sandy is her name. Sandy felt sorry for her.” The man wheezes, hanging his chin to his chest for a moment. With considerable effort, he raises his gaze back to meet mine. “Sandy kept her sedated, fed, cleaned up. Abbiati only cared that she was clean, but Sandy didn’t want her to have to experience what was happening. So she kept her doped up, gave her IVs, kept everyone else out. I didn’t even know what was happening until a few weeks in.”
Vin and I exchange a look, both in agreement that finding that nurse should be next on the agenda.
I stand slowly. Every breath feels like it’s scraping glass through my chest.
Vin takes over, his voice sharp. “Tell us what Aurelio has planned next. I’m assuming he hired you because he’s losing men to the war.”
The guy nods frantically. “He is. Half of his guys defected when he took Giovanna. They knew you’d go to war, and they’re standing with you. A bunch more cut out after you guys took the island and reclaimed the target.”
I bristle and take a step toward him, fists clenched. Giovanna is not a fucking target.
“So what’s his plan now?” Vin steps in front of me and pushes me back.
“He doesn’t have the manpower he used to, so he’s trying to hit some jewelry maker, shop, owner—something like that.”
“Luminous & Co.,” I say.
He nods. “Some guy named Franco is MIA, and Aurelio doesn’t think he’s dead. He’s worried either Franco or you guys will hit it before he can.” The guy grunts and shifts on his feet.
I stare at him, feeling nothing. No satisfaction, no feeling whatsoever.
Vin flicks his cigarette ash onto the floor. “Do you know where Aurelio is hiding out?”
The guy shakes his head. “No. I never met him, never saw him. He never came to the island while I was on duty. People didn’t say much about him except that he was a coward for going underground.” He looks away, clenching his jaw, then glances from me to Vin. “Is she…is Sandy alright?”
I look at Vin. Vin was the one who dragged her out of the room after I knocked her out of the way.
Vin shrugs. “I don’t know. I knocked her the fuck out and left her there.”
The guy closes his eyes. He looks more pained than seems normal.
“Do you know where to find her? If she made it out?” I ask. Maybe he’s in love with her.
“No. I just saw her at work,” he grunts.
“Really? Because it looks like you might have been fucking her.”
“I wasn’t. She owes me money.”
I roll my eyes, pull my gun out of my back holster and shoot him in the head. The sound is deafening in the concrete room, and I’m out the door before the echoes have subsided.
Vin sighs loudly and throws his hands up, calling out after me. “Oh, no problem, Tommy. I’ll just go ahead and take care of this for you, alright? Fucking asshole.”
I kick the door to Antonio’s cell open. He’s sitting on the floor, his arms up and chained to the wall just like the other guy. I squat down and get in his face. “You couldn’t get her to fuck you without tying her up and raping her, huh? How does that feel, fucker?”
“I told you I didn’t—”
I hit him in the face with the butt of my gun to shut him up.
“I wish more than anything that I could put a bullet in your fucking head right now, but it’s going to be so much more gratifying to watch Giovanna do it, you fuck.”
