Page 98 of Blood Vows

“You are not convincing Hale that you’re alone.”

“That’s exactly what he needs to believe,” she insisted.

“No,” Dante breathed.

“You agreed to let me help,” she reminded.

“I agreed to let you call him. I didn’t agree to let you walk into a room alone.”

“I won’t actually be alone,” she said.

“You know what I mean,” Dante growled.

“Then stop saying no like that ends the conversation.”

“It works with most people,” he admitted.

“I’m not most people,” she said.

Luca interrupted before they could start arguing again. “Elena’s right.”

Dante looked at him. “Don’t take her side.”

“She is.” Dante’s jaw clenched, and Luca continued. “Hale knows we’re protecting her. If she suddenly asks to meet with half the Camorra family nearby, he won’t come.”

“We can find another way,” Dante said.

“Like what?” Luca asked. Dante didn’t answer.

Elena touched his arm, and he looked down at her. “I’ll be protected.”

His eyes came back to hers. “You can’t promise that.”

“No.” She gave him a small smile. “But apparently neither can you.” He didn’t find that funny, but she hadn’t expected him to. “Dante.”

“What?” he growled.

“I need to do this,” she insisted.

“Why?” Dante asked.

“Because he took my father from me.” His expression softened. “He used you to do it.” A muscle worked in his jaw, and she could tell that she was getting through to him. “He spent years controlling my life without me even knowing it.” She stepped closer. “I need to be the one who ends that.”

Dante stared at her for a long time, and then exhaled. “Fine.”

Marco blinked. “Did Dante Vitale just lose an argument?”

Dante looked at him. “You want to die before lunch?”

“No,” Marco said.

“Then shut up,” Dante shouted. Marco grinned, and Elena almost did too.

Then Luca said, “We make the call today.” She felt sick to her stomach because today, this all ended.

Hale answered on the second ring. They were all gathered around Marco’s equipment in Luca’s study. Dante stood close enough that Elena could feel his body heat. Elena held the burner phone in one hand, and Marco nodded when he started the recording. She pressed the speaker button. “Vincenzo.”

“Elena.” Her skin crawled hearing him say her name. She hated that he still sounded familiar with her—like family. That might have been the worst betrayal of all.