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“And now?” His lip quivers.
“Now that we’re sure Ferraro is involved, things have changed,” I say.
“Your uncle wouldnever. He was at your baby shower, your baptism, your first birthday—that man woulddiefor you—”
“You put too much faith in an addict,” Silver says harshly. “Been around them all my life. They might’ve started as good people, but most wind up the same. Manipulative, slithering beasts that would do anything for another hit.”
“How are you going to talk like you know the man?” Dad jerks in his ties.
Silver sighs and reaches into his duffle bag. Of course he came prepared.
“I want you to listen to me very carefully, Captain Dall.” He starts pulling out printed photos. “My name is Arosso Valentino. I worked for the mob for a very long time, and have since retired after my wife and daughter were murdered. I live a legitimate life now, managing movie and TV sets. Ihappenedupon a symbol on your house, as Quinn here has stated, and decided to help a crying woman out.”
Dad’s heavy breathing starts to calm. It’s working on me too. Silver can be soothing when he wants to be, which is all sorts of weird.
“Once I got involved, I did my diligence, and against my orders and better judgement, I rescued you from bratva custody.”
Dad holds his breath at that. “Y—you, could start an underworld war—”
Silver nods. “Now you understand my hesitation and precaution?”
Dad’s eyes squint disbelievingly. “Risk everything for a cop’s daughter?”
Silver’s jaw tenses hard. “She reminds me of what I lost.”
The words hit like a bullet to the chest.
“So needlessly, my wife and daughter died because of my involvement in something. Yours might have for the same reason. Two sides of the same coin, Captain Dall, even if yours faces the sun.”
I’ve never seen my dad stammer in all my years, but here? He’s at a loss.
“Had Ferraro not kidnapped your daughter by using policemen to restrain her and drag her to his house—”
Dad shakes his head. “No...”
Silver drops a photo on the floor, showing Ferraro exiting an underground casino with a large jacket on and a baseball cap.
“It took me a while to figure it out,” Silver admits. “And once I did, all became clear.”
“Mara would never let you get hurt,” Dad protests.
“Mara isdead, Dad. I was there when the Russians broke into their house to take me.”
“Oh my…” Dad looks to the floor. “Once this Valentino saved me from that warehouse, they wanted to go after you… This was my biggest fear all along.”
His eyes are bulging as he stares blankly at the photos on the floor.
“This isn’t the first time Uncle F acted weird, Dad. You’ve seen it before. The sweating and edginess,” I try to pour gasoline on the budding fire. “He literally grabbed me from our home, stuffed me in a car against my will, and sent me to his home to be captured by the Russians.”
There’s a long silence after that… until Dad finally looks up, staring Silver in the eyes.
Silver peers back with his hands on his hips.
“So…” Dad says. “That’s two I owe you then.”
I sigh with relief and plop on the floor next to my tied-up father. ThankGod. I’m still not convinced he’d let Silver go if he was cut free, and I’m pretty sure there’d be a gun fight like in those old Westerns if he knew that I’m falling for him… but I’ll take my wins where I can get them.
“Now what, Valentino?” Dad says, showing his tied-up arms.