Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?”
“Isabella is a daughter of D’Angelo. There are rules in place that in an odd way protect us all, but it also means we must go through the proper channels to deal with problems that arise. Don’t get me wrong, from time to time, someone can be killed with absolutely no consequences. Then there are times, when a death, well, let’s just say, is more trouble than it is worth. If you keep pushing Massimo away, he will respond, and in doing so, it could guarantee us all a painful death.”
Elsie took a deep breath.
“If you loved him, you’d give him a chance. I promise you, his word is his vow. He doesn’t break his word.”
She knew Massimo was like that, but Romero was right. Isabella was messing with her head, and allowing her to live in her mind was ruining her marriage. She tried to run away.
“Do you still love him?” Romero asked.
“Yes, of course. I love him more than anything in the world.”
“Then trust him the way he trusted you.”
“Trusted me?”
“Do you really think there wasn’t a risk bringing you into the family? The cops could have tried to lure you to their side. I know we have a lot of the force in our pocket, but there are some who would love any opportunity to take us down.”
“I would never do that.”
“But there was always a risk, and my brother trusted you.”
Elsie had no idea.
“So maybe, why don’t you give him the same trust he has shown you?”
****
Massimo arrived back at the cabin and it was late. He saw Romero outside, smoking a cigarette.
“You’re going to freeze your ass off for a smoke?” Massimo asked.
“Can’t do it inside. It’s a smoke-free zone.”
Massimo chuckled. It was a habit he’d never taken up. He also didn’t like his father’s cigar smoking either. He was more of a whiskey man himself. Also, Elsie didn’t like the smell of cigarette smoke.
“How was business?” Romero asked.
He sighed.
“That’s good.”
“D’Angelo has noticed funds missing from his account,” Massimo said.
“Okay, but why would he come to you? Funds missing … shouldn’t he be handling that himself?”
“He believes he is too close to the problem.”
Romero stared at him. “Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”
“You’ve already told me she has a problem. She likes to spend money, and Isabella’s account is always empty. What Franco doesn’t know is how she is doing it. He hasn’t given her access, which means there is someone who either knows the account details, or is hacking into his system and transferring money, although they’re doing it without a trace.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “Which is where you come in.”
He pulled out the information and handed it to Romero.
“I already made some calls, but I have a feeling I know what is going on.”
Romero threw his cigarette to the floor and stomped it out, taking the piece of paper from him.
He waited for his brother to read through the information.
“That’s not possible.”
“I know,” Massimo said. “Anyone who looks at this information would instantly suspect my wife.”
“Holy shit, Massimo. According to this, Elsie is stealing fucking money that doesn’t even belong to her. The family would fucking kill her.”
“I know, but look at the dates,” Massimo said.
Romero glanced over the paperwork, checking out the dates. “Why do I know those dates?”
“That was the date of our honeymoon. Elsie had no way of communicating with the outside world because she had given me her cell phone. Also, look at her date of birth. It’s incorrect. There are little errors, but someone looking to frame my wife wouldn’t think of these little details.”
“Fuck, Massimo, someone is trying to kill your wife. If this gets out, they will come for her, you know that, and they will find any excuse to use whatever means they can.”
“I know, but I also know it is not my wife.”
Romero nodded, folding up the piece of paper. “What do you want me to do?”
“I need you to link this to Isabella. She is the only person who has a real vendetta against my wife, and I need you to do it quietly.”
“Does Franco even suspect his daughter?”
“I’m not aware of it, but as you said yourself, Isabella has an allowance that is immediately gone once she gets it. There is only one explanation. She is stealing from her father and trying to frame my wife, and I need you to prove it.”
“On it,” Romero said.
“Also, be careful.”
“Will do. You need to keep her here. If you bring her back, Isabella might already have plans for her.”
“I’m not leaving this cabin until I know my wife is safe.” Also, he’d also decided that when she had forgiven him enough, he was going to get her pregnant, which meant she had no choice but to trust him.