Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“Why do you think they started here, with your family, if you believe their ultimate goal is to draw the other riders in and kill as many as possible?”
This was where he was on shaky ground, and Geno knew it. He didn’t have much to go on, only the observations of a scared thirteen-year-old boy. But this was Stefano. Over their years together, they’d come to respect each other. If anyone would listen to him, it would be his cousin.
“I think these killings might have to do with whatever happened the night my father lost his leg. I know everyone was told he was in an automobile accident, but that wasn’t true. He was wearing his rider clothes. So was my mother. I watched my parents all the time. I was very good at observation; in fact, it was one of the things my father always encouraged. They had been acting strange for a few weeks. They had meetings with other riders, but always denied anyone had come to see them. I heard the lies. I never saw the other riders, but knew they were there in the shadows. That night, other riders were in the room. Someone had carried my father into his room. My father was a big man. My mother couldn’t have carried him.”
“You didn’t see anyone else?”
Geno took another sip of scotch. “No, but they were there. And I believe my father had gone into the shadows with a horrendous wound knowing he was risking losing his leg. He didn’t want to be seen. To him, to keep the secret was worth losing his leg or even his life.”
Going into a shadow tube with even a small wound was taking a terrible chance. The force the speed in the shadows generated could tear open any laceration and pump blood into the tube at a furious rate. If Geno was correct about his speculation, whatever secrets his parents shared with the hidden shadow riders had been worth his father’s life—at least that is what they all believed.
“How would our enemy find out who was in the room that night other than your parents?” Stefano asked. “If you didn’t know. You said the surgeon, an anesthesiologist, the two nurses, their bodyguards. Anyone else?”
“The riders hidden in the shadows I know were there. The priest. He was giving him the last rites as I was escorted out of the room.”
“No one else.”
“Viola and Noemi had no knowledge of shadow riding. They only knew we had several successful businesses and our famiglia made a great deal of money. Most of the family hasn’t a clue about what we do, Stefano. My best guess would be the two of them told their friends about the hasty operation they attended at the home of a very wealthy man related to them, particularly after they had retired. Once they were working in their shops, they most likely got comfortable around their friends and began regaling them with amusing or exciting tales of their time as nurses. They wouldn’t leave out going to the Ferraros’ home for surgery.”
Stefano let his breath out in a long sigh and then finished off the scotch. “If you’re right about this, Geno, and you’ve rarely been wrong with your gut feeling, whoever is behind this has been planning their revenge for a number of years. They’ve had ears and eyes in our territories and in Little Italy. Who knows where else?”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I set a trap for a petty thief. I didn’t expect to catch an assassin,” Geno reiterated. “Now I have to figure out how to interrogate her without getting killed.”
“You’re absolutely set on doing this yourself.” Stefano made it a statement.
“I refuse to put anyone else in jeopardy.”
“I think there’s more to it than that.”
Geno shoved his hand through his hair. “Unfortunately, you could be right. I’ll know when I get in there. If I’m right about her and she’s a shadow rider, I intend to compromise her shadow as fast as possible.”
“Geno, that’s dangerous to you,” Stefano cautioned. “By compromising her shadow, you’re jeopardizing your own.”
“I’m aware of the risks.”
Stefano studied his set features for a long time. “If you’re determined, Geno, and I know how fucking stubborn you are, then you’re going to do it my way. You called me here for a reason—that’s to ensure your safety. That means you do what I say. Agreed?”
Geno hesitated. Stefano wouldn’t have a qualm about taking out a gun and shooting their captive if she threatened Geno’s life in anyway.
“You aren’t going into that room unless it’s my way,” Stefano said, absolutely no compromise in his voice.
Geno knew he needed that assurance from Stefano. He just didn’t know why.
CHAPTER TWO
The room smelled of urine and sweat. What it didn’t smell of was terror, and it should have. The moment Geno entered, Amaranthe’s head came up, her large dark eyes tracking him. She looked wary, like a wild animal caught in a trap and ready to fight her way out. She held herself still, not like frozen prey but more like a wary tigress waiting for an opportunity to tear him to pieces. Her hair was wild, coming undone from the multitude of pins so that it fell in waves and spiral curls around her little oval face, emphasizing her high cheekbones.