Page 16 of Stolen Wife
Chapter Seven
Santino
“Dimitri, it’s so goodto see you again.” I welcome my longtime friend with a one-armed hug. He warned me before they played me that he hadn’t trusted my family, but no, I didn’t want to listen to him. I’ve had to live with that for the past two years, and he’s made sure to remind me of it on numerous occasions.
“Same to you, Santino. You’re looking good.” I should say the same to him. I was too preoccupied at the courthouse to notice, but he’s looking stronger and his grip isn’t that of a weak lawyer but a man who has been hitting the gym frequently.
“Knowing I’d be getting my life back looks good on me, but shit, I could say the same about you. Have you been working out a lot more?”
He nods, but there’s a sense of frustration on his face. “Yes. My acquaintances in Russia have been giving me a hard time about my refusal to work for them, so I’m preparing to go toe to toe with them if push comes to shove.”
“I didn’t know you had dealings in Russia.” That’s a revelation to me.
“It started out as a favor for my cousin Alexei a few weeks ago. One thing led to another, and here I am in bed with guys I don’t want to have any dealings with and another boss of the Bratva out for my head.”
“Do I need to be concerned?” It’s not something I need on my plate right now. I’m ready to go to war with my family. Technically I’ve been at war this entire time, but this time I’m the one striking first.
“Nyet. They are sensible enough to leave my clients alone. This is strictly a family issue.”
“Good, but I hope that we’re more than just business associates,” I remind him. There are very few people I can call my friends, and Dimitri is one.
“Of course. Of course we are. It’s just not something they need to be made aware of. They’ll steal your firstborn if you let it slip that you’re having a baby.”
“Fine. I’ll be watching my back either way. Forget about everything else. We have so much to go over. Do you want some coffee?”
“I’d love some. It’s been already a long morning.” I summon Jasper and ask for some coffee. Once he leaves, Dimitri continues, “I’ve been down to the courthouse to get the papers processed. I believe there’s something you need to know. While I was there, Denton came out of a stairwell, speaking to Antonetti.”
“My father’s lawyer?” Suddenly, my collar gets too damn tight. I loosen it and then stand up because coffee isn’t going to be enough. “Do you want a drink? Because I’m having one.”
“No on the drink, and yes, unfortunately, his lawyer. I’m sorry, Santino. It’s not something you wanted to hear, I’m sure. I don’t know what they were talking about, but I did manage to take a quick picture on my phone.”
He hands me the phone as Jasper comes back in with a cup of coffee each on a tray with cream and sugar. Dimitri takes it and adds some of both while I look over the photo, hoping to find something to give me answers. “Denton has a death wish or maybe I’ll just toss his ass in prison. You do have all that information, right?”
“Yes, I do. Do you want it activated?” he asks and takes a sip of his coffee. “Damn, this is good.”
“Thanks. Only the best after a long time with sludge.” I take a drink of my whiskey. “Give it twenty-four hours. I want him to lead me to the rest of them. If he’s dealing with Antonetti, then I wonder how long that’s been going on.”
“I don’t know. Your father has been making sure to keep his nose out of everything that has to do with your arrest and every detail surrounding it, but he comes off too clean, especially with connections to the victim and the real hitman.”
“I’m guessing the more he gets riled up, the quicker he’ll make a mistake.”
“Or get desperate. We have to be prepared for both.” I’ll be ready. The one thing I remember before going to prison is hitting up the shooting range and creating design patterns with my turn. I have marksman skills, which pissed my father off when I refused to bring those skills when he wanted them.
“And I am. I’ve played this chess match so many times in my head. I won’t lose to him. I’ve smartened up about how dirty people can be.”
“You need more people on this, but I know there’s too much at stake for loose lips.” He’s right, but if we send anyone in to investigate, they have to be inside and there’s no one inside the family that would let in a spy. I don’t have loyalty like that from them because I’m the son that dared to dream for better. I’m the one who turned my nose up at violent crime and murder.
“Exactly.” I already feel like my circle is too big, but I can’t do without them and I trust each one of them implicitly.
“There are a lot of people that would love to bring your father and brother down, but so far all their dealings have appeared above board, even though you and I know that’s not true.”
“Just keep me informed. We both have copies of the evidence to put Denton away. I’m betting he’ll talk, but they’ll have a hit on him before we can get the details. Do you have anything on the Avanti family?”
“Besides that they are rumored to sell girls, I’ve heard of drug trafficking.”
“Damn, then they have a lot to lose and won’t play nice. I’m going to find a way to make my family turn on theirs.” I may have already started that endeavor if they take the bait.
For the next three hours, we go over our strategy as well as my company legalities that need to be handled before I go into the office. My paternity is another issue that I’m sure Dimitri is looking into discreetly. Honestly, I want the answers from my mother. I deserve to hear them from her.