Page 59 of Mafia Scars

In fact… I felt worse, and sick because the truth of the matter was, my father did all of that to protect me.

“Would Peterson have told anyone?” Luc asked.

God, I almost forgot he was here.

“It’s possible, but this was all so long ago that it would be difficult for me to trace,” Dad replied.

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut in. “Howis not what matters; it’s what we do now. The problem isn’t solved by me being here. All we managed to avert is me being taken and used for whatever he wants. Is it money he wants? Is that why he wanted me unharmed?”

From the look on Dad’s face, I knew that there was more I wouldn’t like.

“No, not money. It’s the diamonds.”

“What?” Luc asked with a raised brow. “You said the feds got there.”

“The feds got there, but they never knew about the diamonds. My guys got to the shipment first and took them. Nothing was ever reported because no one ever knew about them.”

“The diamonds?” Luc looked at him, eyes cold and penetrating. “This is about diamonds that you still have? That’s what they want?” Luc glanced my way and sighed with frustration.

“Yes. That, and Amelia dead.”

Chapter 13

Amelia

* * *

“Where are they? The diamonds, where are they? Here in the house?” I asked, ignoring the last part of the revelation.

They wanted me dead. I knew that. Of course, I knew it boiled down to that, but hearing it was another matter. My hands shook.

“No. Not here,” Dad replied.

“Where?

“Somewhere safe,” Dad answered.

“What? You aren’t going to tell me?” I understood. I was the cop in the room. Of course, he wouldn’t tell me.

“You’ll get access to them after my death, or the end of this, whichever comes first. I’ve left instructions for the diamonds to be handed in to the correct authorities. You’ll do that.” He looked at Luc, who appeared surprised by the comment.

“Where is it?” Luc asked, staring him down. “Raphael you will tell us right the hell now.”

Dad frowned in frustration and bared his teeth. “In a secure facility in Rockford.”

“Why did you take it in the first place?” Luc asked.

“Because Tag wanted it. He believed they were seized by the feds. Until recently. That was probably part of what led him to realize that it was me who ratted him out. Whatever he found out made him dig a little deeper and connect the dots.”

“Those diamonds are the only leverage we have,” Luc stated.

What a fucking mess.

“Yes. As long as I have them, Amelia’s safe. Now that she’s home, we keep her safe.”

“I agree, but we need to have the diamonds as well,” Luc shot back.

“No, the diamonds stay where they are. We can’t have the diamonds and Amelia in the same place. That’s foolish.”