“Lindsay,” he drawls. “It’s great to see you considering you’ve been MIA for over a week.”
“Hello, Fadden.”
We take a seat and it’s impossible to ignore the tension in the air that’s mostly emanating from him. He’s angry. I can see it in his eyes. I’m just not sure why.
I order a cup of coffee needing a drink before facing this conversation. Once it arrives, I take a slow sip, waiting for the person who called me out to speak first.
“Well?” I ask when he continues to stay silent.
“I was hoping you’d provide me with an explanation.”
“Sorry, but I’m not really interested in doing that.” I shrug. “How about you say whatever it is you have to say. Is this about the case?”
“Ah. So you do remember that. I was wondering if you did considering you disappeared on me.”
My jaw tightens. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
“Yes, I know. Your father was shot and whoever’s responsible is still at large.”
That’s literally only the tip of the iceberg, but I stay quiet as he continues.
“Which is why you disappeared and why you’re…” His eyes flit to the man behind me. “Why you’ve hired bodyguards, apparently.”
“You told me to,” I remind him.
“Sure,” he says easily. “Which company is he from?”
My lips turn up in a chilly smile. “None of your business.”
“Look,” he states, arms sliding onto the table as he leans in, “I’m just trying to help you, okay? There are rumors that the Bratva’s planning on making another move after what they did to your father.”
Surprise slides through me for a second before I dispel it. I knew the Bratva was responsible.
“What move?”
“I’m not exactly sure. It’s confidential information. They’re saying the Pakhan is finally planning on doing something to takecare of all that’s been going on. He might be going after one of the Vitale brothers in retaliation.”
“The Vitales?” I question lowly. “What do they have to do with anything?”
“A lot, apparently. It’s come out that they’ve been making a lot of silent moves to undermine and take apart the Bratva. They’re responsible for missing shipments, deals gone wrong, their men turn-coating. It’s a pretty big mess. There’s also the matter of the murder of one of the lieutenants. Apparently they’ve traced it back to one of the brothers.”
Something icy slides through my veins.
“Which one?” I whisper.
“Matteo Vitale.”
My hands tighten into fists. “Could he be the one they’re going after?”
“It’s highly likely.”
I exhale a soft breath before looking at Fadden.
“Is there anything else about the case you’ve found out?”
He shakes his head.
“Alright, then I have to go. I have an urgent matter to take care of.”
