Beneath These Shadows

by Meghan March

  Dom’s face pinched with confusion. “My daughter? What the fuck do you know about my daughter?”

  “You don’t tell us who you are, you’re gonna catch a bullet to the skull in five seconds.” This came from the other man.

  “You really don’t care where she is? Or that Angelo Francetti knocked her unconscious and dragged her out of a shop in New Orleans and put her on this same plane?”

  Dom’s head jerked back and he looked at the other man. “What the fuck is he talking about, Vin? New Orleans? You told me she was safe. Why the fuck would Angelo dare lay a hand on her?”

  “Get on the plane. I’ll take care of this fuck. He’s stirring up shit he has no business stirrin’.”

  “I’m not going any fucking place until you answer my question. Where the fuck is my daughter? You’ve been puttin’ me off for days.”

  “She’s safe. She’s fine. No one will bother her.”

  “She’s not safe,” I said. “She sure as shit didn’t ask to be knocked out or kidnapped. And neither of you is going anywhere until I have my answers.”

  Dom turned to Vin. “You’ve got sixty fucking seconds to get Eden on the phone or I’m gonna put a bullet in your brain. I don’t give a fuck how long I’ve known you.”

  Vincent bristled. “All due respect, Dom, but you’ve got a lot more to be worried about right now than where your daughter is. You need to get on this plane and get the hell out of the country before the Feds catch up with you.”

  “You’re not hearing me. Why the fuck aren’t you hearing me?” Quiet, yet lethal, anger edged Dom’s tone.

  “Yeah, answer the fucking question, Vin.”

  “Shoot this guy,” Vincent yelled to the bodyguard, his arm flung out toward me, but Dom held up a hand.

  “Don’t fucking shoot anyone until I give the word.” He looked at me. “Now, tell me why I shouldn’t leave you bleeding out on this tarmac right now?”

  “Because I’m here to find your daughter. Because apparently I’m the only fucking person who’s worried about her.”

  Dom looked at Vincent. “New Orleans? I told you I wanted her in a safe house, and you said it was taken care of. What the fuck is your problem? Are you deaf?”

  “She was taken care of. You wanted her out of the way; I told you, I got her out of the way.”

  “In fucking New Orleans? Where the fuck is Angelo now?”

  Vincent shrugged. “Busy doing what he’s told.”

  Dom’s voice dropped into a harsh whisper. “You give me a fucking straight answer, Vin, or I will shoot you myself. Where the fuck is your kid, and where the fuck is my daughter?”

  Kid?

  Vincent looked at me closer, and recognition finally hit me. Ten years ago, he hadn’t been the number-two guy. He’d been climbing the ranks and carrying out orders.

  He recognized me at the same time. “I remember you. You’re the one who ran like a fucking coward and never stopped. You’ve got balls of brass, boy, to come back here. You didn’t have so many fucking tats or as much hair then, but I remember you.” He leveled the pistol at my head. “Time for you to pay in blood.”

  Two red dots popped up on his chest.

  “That would be a really poor idea on your part,” Titan said, stepping up next to me. “Two ex-Special Forces snipers will take you out before you can pull the trigger.”

  I looked at Dom. “And if you let your guys shoot me, I won’t be able to tell you about the burner phone we found in Vin’s kid’s hotel room and all the interesting numbers it has on it. Like the Feds.”

  I’d been saving that piece for leverage, and it worked.

  Dom held an arm out in front of Vin. “Put the fucking gun down.” To me, he added, “What the fuck are you talking about? You trying to tell me Angelo is a rat who kidnapped my daughter?”

  Before takeoff, I’d tried every number on the burner phone we found in Angelo’s room, and had two conversations with very special agents who were ready for the information Angelo had promised to deliver.

  Vincent didn’t notice, but from behind him, both bodyguards leveled their weapons on his back.

  “This fuck doesn’t know jack shit.”

  “All I want is to know that Eden is safe, and you can have everything we found and do your own investigation, Mr. Casso.”

  Dom looked at Vin. “Get Eden on the phone, now. No more fucking excuses, or I will end you. I don’t fucking care who you are. And you.” He raised his gun at my head, and one of the little red dots jumped to his chest. “You’re going to tell me why the fuck you’re so interested in my daughter.”

  “Can’t you tell the guy’s in love with her? Jesus, why else would he face down the mob boss who had his family killed ten years ago?” Titan’s drawl was thicker now. “That’s storybook shit right there.”

  “He telling the truth?” Dom asked.

  “Fucking right, he is,” Titan replied.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Vincent laughed. “What the fuck is it about that girl?”

  “You better start from the beginning, boy,” Dom told me.

  “Don’t have the luxury of that kind of time, Mr. Casso. Right now, Angelo Francetti has your daughter.”

  “Angelo isn’t going to hurt her,” Vincent said. “He’s protected Eden for years.”

  “Where the fuck did he take her, Vin? I want answers. Now.”

  “He’s got a place in Jersey. He wanted some time alone with her.”

  Dom turned to Vincent, his gun held loosely in his hand. “Wait. You knew your boy took my girl? What the fuck else did you know? That she was kidnapped? What about the Feds on your kid’s phone? You got explanations for all of that, my friend?”

  “You’re gonna believe this guy over someone you’ve known for years?”

  “This kid that walked up to us with the balls of a fucking elephant to make sure my daughter was safe? What motive does he have? Because the fact that you’ve been giving me the runaround for fucking days tells me that you’re the one I’ve got to worry about right now. Get her on the phone or my bullet goes in your brain.”

  “I WANT TO TALK TO my father,” I told Angelo when he opened the door to my newest cage.

  His features hardened into a scowl. “I told you to shower before breakfast.”

  I knew I had to walk a delicate line. “I’m not feeling well, so I decided not to.”

  Angelo rushed inside the room, and I had to curb my gag reflex when he reached for my hands and squeezed them.

  “I didn’t want to drug you, but I didn’t have a choice. You need to learn to follow my orders, Eden. That’s the way this works.”

  I forced a weak smile. “I really need to talk to my father.”

  “You will when I say you’re ready.”

  “And when will that be?”

  Angelo didn’t answer, but instead dropped his grip on my hands and turned toward the door. “Come eat. It’ll make you feel better. And then you can shower after. We need to wash that city off you. Gotta make sure my girl is clean before I give her my cock.”

  I shuddered and stopped just short of gagging at the thought. Schooling my expression so he wouldn’t read my disgust and decide not to bother waiting, I followed him into the living area of what appeared to be an apartment. But where?

  “Where are we?”

  “Doesn’t matter as long as we’re together, baby.” Angelo reached for the takeout containers he’d left on the kitchen counter with his wallet. “Got you eggs Benedict and an extra side of bacon. Your favorites.”

  They actually were my favorites, but right now, the thought of eating either was enough to make me want to run for the toilet.

  But I didn’t have to say anything because Angelo’s phone rang.

  “Sir?”

  At his greeting, I hoped like hell it was my father.

  “He wants to speak to Eden? That’s not possible right now. She’s sleeping.” Angelo’s response was clearly a lie, and I had to assume the call was fro
m Vin.

  “No, I’m not sleeping! He’s holding me here against my will!” I screamed as loud as I could.

  Angelo’s hand lashed out and he backhanded me across the face. “Don’t listen to her. She’s still doped up. She was doing all kinds of bad shit in New Orleans.”

  My cheek burned where he’d struck me, but I didn’t care. “Fucking liar!”

  He held the phone away from his ear. “You’re going to—”

  “Daddy! Help!”

  “I’ll call you back.”

  Angelo hung up and turned to me. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You don’t get it yet, do you? Your life only matters as long as I say it matters. My pop is steppin’ into the number-one role, and he don’t like you much.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Dom is going down. Feds are all over him, and we’ve given them everything they need to move in. The only way you’re not going down is to stick with me.”

  I shook my head, unable to believe him.

  “You think it was a coincidence when your credit card got canceled for fraud? I did that. Your bank account frozen? I did that too. The Feds eat up whatever info we give them, and they’re going to put Dom away for life. Now sit the fuck down, eat your breakfast, and I’ll be back after I’ve talked to my dad.”

  He walked toward the bedroom, his phone already lifted to his ear. As soon as he shut the door, I ran toward it.

  While Angelo might be crazy, a mental giant he was not. I guessed he’d forgotten that he’d set up the bedroom door to be locked from the outside. I threw the dead bolt before Angelo realized his mistake and began pounding on the door.

  “Let me out of here, Eden. You’re not safe without me!”

  “Fuck you!” I yelled.

  I grabbed his wallet off the counter and ran for the door. Adrenaline and giddiness rolled through my veins as I unlocked it and threw it open.

  Freedom. I can save myself. I’m the hero of this freaking story. Fuck Angelo and his whacked-out plans. I didn’t need him to keep me safe. I just needed to get away from him.

  I ran down the stairs, four floors, until I hit the lobby of what appeared to be a less-than-posh building. Slowing my pace, I walked out to the curb, hoping I’d be able to catch a cab this early in the morning.

  I had to be in Jersey somewhere, because this definitely wasn’t Manhattan. A cab turned the corner, and I waved it down. As I slid into the backseat, I heard someone calling my name.

  From four stories up, Angelo yelled down at me. “Someone stop her!”

  The cabbie looked up and then looked at me. “You okay, kid?”

  I glanced into the rearview mirror to meet his gaze and winced at the red mark it revealed on my face.

  “I’ve been better. Can you take me to Hell’s Kitchen?” I gave him the cross streets of the brownstone. I didn’t know where else to go, and my apartment didn’t seem like the best choice. I needed to get to Dom.

  “Sure, hon.”

  I did it. I really freaking did it.

  I straightened my shoulders and held my head high.

  I rescued my own damned self.

  VINCENT HUNG UP THE PHONE and looked at Dom. “He’s going to call back when she’s awake. She’s sleeping right now. It’s still early.”

  Dom tilted his head, suspicion clear in his gaze. “I don’t fucking care what time it is. You call him right now and tell him to bring her to the brownstone. We’ll all have a little come-to-Jesus meeting.”

  Vincent bristled. “You need to get on this fucking plane, Dom, or the Feds are going to be all over your ass.”

  I expected the crime boss to reconsider and act to save himself, but instead, he shook his head.

  “Not getting on any fucking plane until I know my daughter is safe. If any of what these gentlemen say is true, I’ve put way too much trust in your family, and it’s time to clean house. After all, wouldn’t that be why the Feds are gonna come down on my ass?”

  Vincent looked from me to Dom. “You’re gonna believe some kid who wants you dead over me?”

  “He’s got no other motive. You have plenty.” Dom called to the bodyguards. “We’re going back to the city. Keep the jet on standby.” He nodded at me. “You’re coming with us. Your crew can follow, but if they take one shot, you’re dead.”

  “Fine.”

  “We’re right behind you, Bish,” Titan said.

  I gave him a chin jerk and climbed in the SUV with Dom Casso.

  Something wasn’t right. The last time I was on this block, there were SUVs parked along the curb with armed men inside and a man posted at the door. Today, there were empty parking spots and no one else in sight. There had to be more to it than just the early-morning hours. Mobsters didn’t exactly work nine to five.

  “Where the fuck is everyone?” Casso asked Vincent as we circled the block.

  “Why would I know?”

  “Because you’re in charge of security.”

  “Boss, I think we should keep driving,” the bodyguard in the passenger seat said as we pulled up across the street from the front of the building.

  “Park here and keep it running. We’re not leaving until Angelo shows up with my daughter.”

  Vincent lifted his phone. “He said he’s on his way.”

  We’d only heard Vincent’s side of the conversation, but I had a hard time believing anything that came out of that slick fucker’s mouth. Another SUV parked behind us, and I spotted Lord in the driver’s seat.

  Now, we waited.

  Or at least, that was the plan until a taxi pulled up alongside us and Eden jumped out of the backseat.

  I threw open the door, and Vincent’s gun pressed against the back of my head. “Don’t you fucking move.”

  Dom saw Eden right after I did. “There she is. Where the fuck is your kid?”

  Eden raced toward the building, only to be grabbed by a guy who darted out between two cars.

  “He’s right there.”

  A man in a leather jacket, who I had to assume was Angelo, held a gun to her head, and Dom twisted in his seat to raise his pistol at Vincent’s head.

  Vincent laughed. “This right here is a predicament. You can’t shoot me without killing her. I’m definitely going to kill this guy because he just fucking pisses me off. You ready for all that, Dom?”

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Vin? Drop your fucking gun or I’ll rip your goddamned throat out with my bare hands. And Angelo better drop his, or he’s gonna choke on his own fucking cock while he bleeds out.”

  “I don’t think so. You’re gonna be in handcuffs in a matter of minutes, and I’ll be taking over the family. If you want your daughter to outlive you, you’re gonna go quietly.”

  While he spoke, Angelo dragged Eden toward the car.

  “Did you hear that, Eden? Your dad gets to decide whether you die or whether he goes to jail. What do you think he’s going to choose?” Angelo’s words were a taunt. “You’ve never mattered to him like you matter to me. And every time you run, I’m going to find you.”

  Eden’s face fell . . . until she saw me and froze. “Bishop,” she whispered. “Oh my God. You’re here.”

  Dom spoke next. “You shouldn’t have come here, Eden.”

  His words might as well have crushed her. “I’m sorry.”

  “This life was always too dangerous for you. You deserved better. I was selfish, though, wanting to keep you close instead of sending you farther away. Forgive me.”

  Everything stilled for a moment, and I took advantage of the lull. Reaching behind my head, I grabbed the barrel of Vincent’s gun and jammed it up into the ceiling of the car. He pulled the trigger instinctively, and bullets ripped through the roof.

  Chaos ensued.

  I swung my elbow hard enough to break Vincent’s nose and dived out of the car. One of the bodyguards turned and fired.

  I ran toward Eden but Angelo raised his gun, aiming it at my head. I didn’t slow, didn’t sto
p. The heat of bullets ripping through my body never came because Angelo’s body jerked as he fell.

  I didn’t hear the report of the rifle until after he hit the ground. I lunged for Eden, catching her around the waist and throwing us both to the ground and using my body to cushion us. Bullets flew as I rolled us under a car for protection, happy to hear the steady beat of her heart.

  I kept her head covered until the shots died and sirens wailed in the distance. Pulling her face away from my chest, I looked down at her.

  “You okay, cupcake?”

  “You came for me.”

  “You saved yourself.”

  Eden’s eyes filled with tears. “My dad? Is he—”

  “Come on, man. Let’s get you both out from under there.”

  I recognized Con’s tattooed wrist, and let him pull Eden out from under the car. I followed right behind her. “Casso? Is he—”

  The black SUV disappeared down the street, squealing around a corner. Vincent’s body lay unmoving on the sidewalk, as did Angelo’s.

  Eden lifted a hand to cover her mouth. “He left me. He left me.” The words were mumbled from beneath her fingers.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Con said as he and Titan hustled us into the other SUV, and Lord roared down the street.

  No one else said a word as we hauled ass back to the airport. We all knew we’d have confirmation as soon as we got there. Casso’s jet was waiting on standby. The Feds were coming down on him. He had every reason to run—and only one reason to stay.

  Lord called Simon as we made the last turn, and he had the jet ready to move. Part of me hoped Casso at least waited to tell his daughter good-bye, but my chest clenched when I saw his jet was gone.

  No one told Eden.

  My father had apologized. I was trying to take comfort in that as Bishop half carried me up the stairs of the jet and settled me on his lap in a big comfy seat. I didn’t want to cry tears for a man who’d basically abandoned me, but I couldn’t stop myself.

  I clung to Bishop as Titan gave the orders for takeoff. It didn’t once occur to me to stay in New York. There was nothing for me there.