“Holy shit. I think I need another wine for this.”
“Not part,” Leo interjects. “They are them. The head in Italy.”
The waitress must have bionic hearing because he comes over to take Addie’s order.
The guys switch to beers, and I order a Diet Coke.
When she walks away, Nate leans across the table, and we all follow him.
His voice is low. “We don’t know much because Matteo never shared that side of his life. I think he was ashamed and honestlydidn’t want anything to do with it. But when Leo and I did some digging, we realized they’re much more important than we realized. The Moretti family runs one of the biggest organized crime syndicates in Italy.”
My stomach sinks.
“And you asked them for help? Dang it, Nate, are you crazy? You’re going to owe them a favor now. Something illegal for sure.”
“Oh fuck,” Addie adds, “They’re going to come when you least expect them. Demanding something for helping.”
“What, are you two experts in the Mafia?” Mase chuckles, “Maybe you do watch too many movies.”
Leo shrugs. “Who knows, maybe they’re right.”
“Matteo wouldn’t do that,” Nate says firmly. “And it doesn’t matter. I’d do anything to get answers.” His eyes darken. “Hence the video.”
Oh shit. I forgot about that.
Wait.
“It was a video. I thought it was a picture.” I hold out my hand. “Let me see.”
The guys all look at each other again, and my blood begins to boil.
I hate when they do that.
“Don’t play the video, Mads. If you need, just look at it like a picture.” His eyes are sad, begging. “Please.”
“I don’t make any promises.” I hold out my hand, and Addie leans in.
Holy hell…
“Is this the guy that you chased after?” she asks Nate.
He nods.
“The one that came to our door?” I confirm, and he nods again, chugging the last of his drink.
The video is paused on a man in what appears to be a bleak, concrete basement, locked in a cell. He’s tied to a chair, with his legs bound to the bottom, and his arms pulled back and tied together.
My god…
Just like the movies.
“I really want to watch it,” I admit.
Mase shakes his head. “This is the beginning, Madeline. By the end, the guy is a bloody mess.”
Oh.
“Well, what did he say? Who is he?”
