"Do you have a sec?" I walk over to her, phone in hand.
She puts some fluff contraption down and nods. "I got a picture of Alessio's mother."
Her smile falters, and seriousness takes over her expression as she reaches for the phone. Our eyes lock. She understands how important this is to me. This is my brother's life that might or might not change irrevocably.
My eyes are glued to her face as she takes the phone and studies the image of a smiling young woman, no older than nineteen, holding an infant in her arms. Nothing gives heremotions away when she looks up and nods. "That's her. She's a good deal younger here than when I saw her, but it's her."
I don't need to, but still I ask, "Are you sure?"
She nods again. "It's not just the eyes. But see, when you look closely here, you can see that part of her earlobe is missing. That was one of the things that stood out to me when I first saw her. She could have easily hidden it behind her hair, both in this picture and when I saw her, but it's like… like she's proud of it."
An interesting observation, but I don't doubt her for a second. I've learned that there is a lot more to this woman than meets the eye.
"I have to go to a meeting right now, but Mauro is outside with six more men, if you need anything."
"Gabe," she leans against the counter, crossing her arms, "I know you're busy with your… stuff. But I need?—"
I cut her off, "We need to talk. Yes, I get that."
"Do you?" she challenges. Making me chuckle. I've had dealings with criminals less intensive than her.
"I do," I promise, hoping I'll have enough free time to continue to keep her distracted while my men hunt for Razor and Javier Salazar. Once those men are out of her life, I might consider moving her and her mother to a safer neighborhood to help her feel independent again. I know how important that is to her, even though I'm not sure how I can let her walk out of my home ever again.
I get to the meeting early to catch Alessio and have a few minutes alone with him. His car rolls into the garage smoothly and quietly, only five minutes later.
Leaning against the concrete pillar, I wait for him and his entourage. Mine is already by the elevator, keeping an eye on me. He sees me the second he gets out. The expression on my face must give me away, because he waves his guards off to join mine. Adjusting his cuffs like this is just another day, he strolls toward me.
"Waiting for me in a parking garage?" He glances around. "Should I be flattered or concerned?"
Like nothing ever gets under his skin.
"A word," is all I say.
He glances at me. My expression is grim. I don't like what I'm about to tell him. I don't like to poke at my friend's old wounds.
"What's up?"
"I don't know if this means anything," I push off the wall, "but Audra used to run with an MC crowd. Black Canyon Reapers."
Alessio's brow lifts slightly, still cool and collected. "Oh? Wouldn't have pegged her for the type."
I huff a quiet breath.
"Yeah," I mutter. "She's full of surprises, that one."
His gaze sharpens. Not on the information. On me.
"You really like her?" he asks.
I let out a short, humorless breath.
"Like?" I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. "Fuck, I wish it were just that."
That earns me a second once over. He's seen this before. I'm sure I'm wearing the same idiotic expression on my face that Massimo has been sporting lately.
"Anyway," I continue, shifting gears, "she saw someone back then."
That gets his full attention. "Oh yeah?"