Page 125 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
“Don’t make me guess.”
“I just got a call from my contact at the local police department.”
I take a seat. “And?”
“They’re moving in on Garzolo right now. He’s fucked. They had an informant deep inside his org who gave them everything they needed.”
My blood slows inside my veins. It’s happening.
“I tried to see if your name came up, but I couldn’t find out.”
I don’t care about that. The chances of the Feds building a case on Dem and I are low. We operate outside of their jurisdiction.
“How much time does he have until they have him?” I ask.
“I don’t know. They’re already on their way. Why?”
“Trying to figure out if there’s enough time for me to go back to his house and take care of him first.”
“What happened?”
“He’s…” I drag my palm over my mouth. What do I tell him? I might need his help once I figure out what my plan is. “Fuck, never mind. We better talk in person. I might need to swing by the shop in the next hour or so. Will you be around?”
“Are you in trouble?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You should probably be on the next flight out.”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“All right. I’ll be at the shop.”
“See you then.”
The door to the clinic opens, and a few more people come in. I can’t talk to Damiano in here.
I send a text to Gemma to let her know I’m just going to be outside in the car and leave the waiting area.
Damiano picks up on the second ring. “Ras? What’s going on?”
I check the clock on the dashboard. It’s three am in Italy. Judging by his tired voice, I woke him up, so Garzolo hasn’t gotten in touch yet. I guess Garzolo’s too busy preparing to get handcuffed. “Something happened. We need to talk.”
“All right, give me one second.” There’s a rustling sound. I wonder if he’s getting out of bed so that he won’t disturb Vale.
Fuck. Vale’s going to be devastated when she hears about what happened.
“Tell me,” Dem says.
I realize I don’t even know where to fucking start.
Nunzio’s words ring in my mind. Maybe he was right. Maybe I haven’t changed.
Last night, when I saw how upset Gemma was, I wasn’t thinking of Dem. I was only thinking of whatIwanted to do, which was to steal her away from here.
And now, that thought is right there again, in the center of my head.
“Garzolo is about to be arrested,” I say before I recap everything that happened in his office. By the time I’m done, my fists are clenched so hard my nails are digging though my skin.
