Instead of texting him back, I called his number with shaky fingers. It rang three times before the call was answered, but it wasn't my brother on the other end.
"That didn't take you long at all."
Fear twisted my bowels as Gino's overly friendly voice greeted me. "Why do you have Logan's phone? Where's my brother?" I demanded. "Let me talk to him. Right now!"
Gino chuckled. "Patience.Patience,Luna. He's right here. My long-lost son." He drew the words out sarcastically.
I heard a slap and Logan's answering grunt of pain. Anger and fear warred within me, making my hands tremble. "If you fucking hurt him, Gino, I swear to fucking god?—"
He cut me off. "I've been telling him all about our recent re-acquaintance, and what awhorehis sister is."
Oh, god. Oh god. My stomach churned and bile rose in my throat. "It's true then." I had to force the words out. "You really are my father, and you've known all along."
I knew he was deliberately trying to provoke me, toying with my emotions by insulting and degrading me. But I also had no doubt in my mind that he'd done exactly as he'd just said. I swallowed hard, clenching my jaw as I fought to steady my breathing. I wouldn't let Gino have the satisfaction of knowing how deeply his words had cut me. Not because I'd fucked him without knowing who he was, but because this was one of those things I never wanted Logan to know.
"Of course, I knew. Why do you think I allowed you in on the poker game, Luna?"
"What kind of disgusting piece of shit fucks his own daughter?"
He was silent on the other end of the line for so long I thought he'd hung up. "Hello? Hello? Gino!"
"At first, he tried to defend you," he said quietly. "But when I laid the cards out on the table—so to speak—well, let's just say he knows now that you've been lying to him all along."
Gino's mocking tone made my blood boil even as a shiver of dread crept up my spine. What else had he told Logan about me? How much did he know?
I gave myself an internal shake. It didn't matter. What was important right now was getting him away from Gino and somewhere safe. "Where do you have my brother?"
He didn't answer.
"Gino! Where the fuck is my brother?"
"Meet us at the construction site on East 7th," Gino told me. "I think you're right. It's time for a little family reunion. And Luna…" There was a long pause. "Be sure to come alone." He inhaled loudly through his nose, his voice dropping. "I loved your mother, and when she had you, a girl in her exact image, it made my heart swell with joy. But I never cared about having a son. Never wanted some kid growing up and thinking he could take what I've worked so hard to achieve. That it was owed to him just because he came from my cock. It would be no hardship for me to make him disappear again, only this time for good. Do you understand?"
The line went dead before I could answer. Horrified panic rose in my chest as I lowered the phone to my side and stood there staring at the open safe in disbelief. Gino had Logan. Logan was in danger because of me. I'd been so caught up in Tristan and our relationship…distracted by what was happening with me…
God, it was so fucking stupid of me not to see this coming.
Gino knew how much Logan meant to me. Of course, he'd go after him to get to me. Because he knew I'd come running to rescue him.
And he was right.
The thought crossed my mind to call Tristan. But then I looked down at the faded picture of me and my mother I still held in my other hand. My chest hollowed out and my throat was thick with tears as I slid it into the back pocket of my jeans. I returned the rest of the photos to the safe I'd found them and closed the door, then hit the lock button. Hanging the painting back where it was, I ran to get my shoes.
I couldn't call Tristan in any case. Gino's warning was quite clear. If I didn't come alone, he'd kill Logan. If I could distract him, there might be a chance I could get my brother somewhere safe.
It wasn't until I stepped outside that I realized I had no idea how I was going to get there. Running back into the house, I searched for the keys to the SUV but couldn't find them anywhere.
"Dammit!"
Frantic now, I ran back outside just in time to see a car coming from Luca's. I hesitated for half a second, then ran out to the main drive, flagging down the driver. I had no idea who was behind the wheel, but I'd have to take the chance it wasn't Tristan or one of the other guys. When the car slowed down, I rushed to the passenger side door as the back window rolled down.
"Luna! What's wrong?" Luca's woman, Veda, was in the backseat. I didn't know if she was aware of my situation with Tristan or if she was surprised to see me at his house, and at the moment, I didn't care. I was just grateful to see her and a driver I'd never met before. If anything, another woman might be easier to convince to help me. And as it turned out, it took no convincing at all.
"I need a ride," I told her. "Please! I need to get to my brother as fast as possible!"
"Of course!" Waving me to the back seat, she moved over for me.
Getting in, I slammed the door shut and wrestled with the seatbelt. My hands were shaking so hard it took me a few tries before I could get it fastened. "I need to go downtown to 7th street."
