“We’re offering them immunity and new identities. I’m sure you want to have words with them, particularly Nico, but they’ve already been transferred to a safe location. I’m not privy to the details. But with what you gave us, their help, and whatever we find at Alice’s home and office, I’m sure it’ll be more than enough to ensure there’ll be no new head growing back on the snake.”
I had wanted to talk to Nico. To understand what the hell happened with him and my sister. But he’d been willing to die for justice for Bianca, and maybe it was thirteen years too late for him to stand up to Alice. I didn’t believe he was complicit in her death, though. He had loved Bianca, but he’d feared his wife and father-in-law more.
Agent Lee reached out and offered a business card. “When my men are done combing through all of Alice’s things, we’ll let you know if we learn anything of value to you. Program my number so you accept my call.”
I pocketed his number and nodded.
“And if you and your brothers decide to let us see what other names were on the cleaner’s file, wait two weeks, would you? I owe my wife and kids a vacation after years of chasing the Brambillas.”
“Copy that.” I nodded and looked toward the door, anxious to see Maria and my family.
“Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
I quietly followed him. “Thank you again,” I said after signing a few official documents for my release.
“Like I said, I owe you and your family. Could’ve used a bit more lead time than thirty minutes before hell broke out in Oyster Bay, but looks like you didn’t need us,” he replied when we made our way to the elevators. “Can I ask you something, though? Now that we don’t have eyes?”
I knew what was coming, and as we waited for the elevator, I nodded and mentally prepared my answer.
“Killing your own cousin, even if she’s a third cousin, couldn’t have been easy. Was it so your sister could rest in peace? You think that—”
“No.” I shook my head. “I finally realized Bianca’s always been at peace. It was us who needed it.” I frowned. “But that’s not the only reason I killed her, and I think you know that.”
Agent Lee palmed his smooth jawline, eyes falling to the floor in thought. “Because no one will dare fuck with you or those you love if you’re willing to kill someone you’re related to?”
I let go of a gruff breath. “Precisely.” Maria will be safe. My mom and sister. “Untouchable again.”
“By the bad guys, sure.” He looked up. “But be careful out there if your family plans to exit retirement. Not everyone in the Bureau is a fan.”
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“But if you do start up again,” he added as the elevator doors opened, “there’re a few people I can recommend you look into who are off-limits to us and shouldn’t be walking the streets.” He opened his palm, motioning for me to head inside.
The fact he was letting me know we had an ally if we wanted one at the FBI was comforting, but I had no plans to be that guy again. No more going dark. If Maria was still willing to be in my life after this mess, I considered myself set for life.
“I’ll pass that along,” was all I said while stepping into the elevator, remaining quiet the rest of our way out, and then my heart shot into my throat at the sight outside the Bureau.
On the street, Maria was between Hudson and Constantine waiting for me, and I almost took a knee at the sight of her running my way.
“Ah, so you have a reason to stay retired,” I overheard Agent Lee say on my way to Maria, and I lifted her in my arms.
Yeah, she was my reason. My fucking everything. Her and Chiara.
I guided her legs around my waist and held her tight, hugging her as she murmured my name repeatedly like soft pleas.
“I’m so sorry,” I rushed out, never losing my grip on her. “Are you okay?”
“I was so worried about you,” she cried.
“I’m okay, baby,” I promised as her feet found the ground, and she kissed me, eliminating any doubts she planned to walk away after what happened. No, she was there. She was my girl. My fireball.
“Tell me you’re coming back to Charlotte. Promise me you’re getting on that plane today with me. No third-act breakup, right?” she asked, her voice trembling.
I wasn’t sure what a third-act breakup was, but I bent forward and lightly sucked her wobbly bottom lip. “Breakup, are you kidding?” I pulled back to find her eyes, shaking my head. “I’m lost without you.” I gulped at the emotion pushing up into my throat. “So no, no third-act breakup. You’re my girl. Forever.”
She reached between us, and it barely registered that there were people on the street, walking around us. “I love you, Lorenzo Costa,” she said between soft kisses. “You didn’t give me a chance to tell you that on Thursday. And maybe outside the FBI isn’t the greatest place to say it, but I don’t want to wait.”
I replayed her words, waiting for the moment my brain would tell me I didn’t deserve them or her love.
But nothing came.
The death grip of the past and that darkness didn’t draw me back.
With narrowed eyes, she added, “But you knew I loved you, didn’t you? You’ve always known.”
“I’ve always known,” I hoarsely admitted. “And I’ve always loved you, Maria Romano.” I brought my hands to her face, thumbing away tears as I stared deep into her eyes. My own gaze a bit blurry.
“Then let’s go home,” she whispered while reaching into her pocket, producing my sister’s rosary, and she placed it in my palm. “This belongs with you.”
“Belongs with us,” I gruffly said, hugging her again.
After a quiet moment passed, I stepped back and looked around, spotting Agent Lee talking to Hudson and Constantine by Hudson’s truck.
“Ready?” Constantine called out when finding my eyes. “The family is waiting for you at your place.”
The FBI office was in Lower Manhattan, situated between Tribeca and Chinatown, so we were closer to my home than my parents’ second home by Central Park.
I had every intention of leaving with Maria today and letting my brothers and Hudson handle any potential damage control, because I trusted them to do it. But I needed to see my family before I left, especially Izzy.
I couldn’t leave New York without ensuring she knew I loved her, too.
Maybe it was guilt at the fact Maria had witnessed me killing people on Thursday, but on the drive to Chelsea, a bad feeling planted roots in my gut.
The hugs from my family once at my place didn’t ease the hard knot in my stomach that was beginning to squeeze without remorse. Nor the promises from Maria she’d be okay.
“What’s wrong?” Alessandro asked, reading my thoughts.
I chanced a look at Maria at my side, and she tipped her chin to peer up at me. Her worried brown eyes shredded me, and I decided I couldn’t share what was on my mind in front of her. She didn’t need more stress.
“I’m fine,” I lied. “But can we have a word in my office?” I focused on Constantine and Hudson. I squeezed Maria’s hand, letting her know everything would be “fine.” Hopefully. She returned my look with a soft nod, and I let go of her to join my brothers and Hudson in my office.
“What’s going on?” Constantine cut straight to the point, perching a hip on my desk, and I went over to the fireplace and set a hand on the mantel. “Agent Lee say something to you we should be worried about that you didn’t want to say in front of Maria on the way here?”
“No, it’s not that.” My free hand went to my chest as the pain in my stomach worked its way to my chest. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
“Alice had us by the balls and we didn’t know it until it was nearly too late,” Constantine answered, and I looked over as Alessandro and Hudson took a seat on the leather couch.
“What you’re experiencing is anxiety,” Alessandro spoke up, and I wasn’t sure if he was giving me a hard time or being serious. “Maybe guilt. It’s all normal. You’ve been on edge all week, and we were blindsided on more than one occasion.”
“You think that’s all?” I wanted him to be right. God, did I ever. “No more loose ends?”
Hudson caught my eye next and gave me a serious look. “If you have concerns, then I’ll take another look at everything and talk to Agent Lee. He still has people going through Alice’s things and is trying to get more of her people to provide statements.”