Chapter 122 So close
GIOVANNI’S POV
"To new partnerships and profitable ventures," Patrick O'Neil raised his glass, his Irish accent thick but I could hear each word.
I clinked my glass against his, the crystal ringing clear in the private room. "To mutual benefit and shared success."
The contracts were signed; O'Neil's shipping connections in exchange for protection and distribution access.
It was a good deal, one that would help fill the gaps still remaining from the attacks months ago.
Alessio watched from his position near the window, ever the observant middleman.
He vouched for O'Neil's credibility, smoothed over the initial negotiations, and made this alliance possible.
O'Neil gathered the signed documents, his men flanking him. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the legendary Giovanni De Santis can do. The stories I've heard about your recovery after the Rivera attacks is impressive."
"We adapt or we die in this business," I said simply. "I chose to adapt."
"Smart man." O'Neil shook my hand once more, his grip firm. "I'll be in touch about the first shipment. Until then."
He and his men departed, leaving me alone with Alessio.
The moment the door closed, Alessio turned to me with a grin. "Look at you. Six months ago, everyone thought the De Santis clqn was finished. Now you're signing deals with the Irish, and rebuilding your empire brick by brick. It's quite the comeback story."
"It's business," I said, moving to the bar to pour myself a drink. "Nothing more."
He huffed. "Come on, Gio. You can admit you're proud of what you've rebuilt. I certainly am." He accepted the glass I handed him. "Though I have to say, you've been different lately. More focused, but also more... I don't know. It’s like you’re driven by something beyond just business."
I took a sip of whiskey, debating how much to tell him.
"I've made an alliance," I said finally. "With Robert Vitale."
Alessio choked on his drink. "You what?"
"It's temporary.” I waved him off, “strictly for the purpose of-"
"Are you insane?" Alessio set down his glass hard enough that liquid sloshed over the rim. "Robert Vitale murdered your family! He's been your enemy for a decade! And now you're working with him?"
I shrugged. "I don't have a choice."
"There's always a choice!" Alessio moved closer, his expression intense. "Gio, this is a trap. It has to be. He's luring you in, and when you’re vulnerable-"
"It's not a trap." I met his eyes steadily. "We have a common goal and that’s to find Arya."
"Arya." Understanding dawned on Alessio's face. "The girl you thought betrayed you and disappeared?"
"She didn't betray me." The admission still burned, but I forced it out. "The investigation we conducted after she left and found evidence that the breach was internal.”
I leaned back and swallowed my drink. “Someone on my security team who was probably paid off by the Riveras months before. Tey used her meeting with Marco as a convenient scapegoat, knowing I would believe the worst."
Alessio was quiet for a long moment. "And Arya?"
"Was innocent of everything." My hand tightened around my glass. "I locked her up, treated her like a criminal, drove her away while she was pregnant with my child. All because I was too damaged to see the truth."
"Merda," Alessio breathed. "Gio, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"No one knew. Because I didn't tell anyone." I took another drink. "But now I'm doing whatever it takes to find her. Even if that means working with Robert Vitale."
Alessio studied me carefully. "Just be careful. I understand the desperation, but don't let it make you blind to potential threats. Vitale is dangerous."
I bobbed my head in agreement. "I know. I'm watching him closely."
"Good." Alessio's expression shifted back to something lighter. "Now, about this comeback of yours… I'm hosting a party next weekend. You should come. Bring Enzo. Hell, bring the whole family. You could use some time to relax."
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed and I picked it up to see a text from Robert.
‘There’s an update on Arya. Come to the estate immediately.’
My heart leaped into my throat. "I have to go."
"Now?" Alessio frowned. "We just finished-"
"It's about Arya." I was already heading for the door. "There's an update."
He frowned. "Gio.”
"I owe you one," I called back. "For the O'Neil deal. We'll talk about the party later."
I didn't wait for his response. I walked out and jumped into the car.
I drove myself, not trusting anyone else to get me there fast enough. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white.
Update on Arya.
What did that mean? Had they found her? Was she okay? Was the baby okay?
I couldn't let myself spiral. Not until I knew.
The Vitale estate guards recognized my car now, they waved me through without the hostile attitude from my first visit.
I parked and headed for the main entrance, my heart pounding.
A figure stood near the front steps. Christabel was holding a book, but looked up when she heard my footsteps.
Our eyes met but she huffed and rolled her eyes dramatically, and turned on her heel, marching back into the house without a word.
I stood there, slightly stunned.
Had a teenager just dismissed me with more contempt than most of my enemies managed?
Despite everything, I felt a small flicker of amusement. She had Arya's eyes but apparently none of her restraint.
The girl had made her opinion of me abundantly clear without saying a single word. I shook my head and continued inside.
Robert was in his study with Marco, both hunched over a laptop. They looked up when I entered.
"You're here. Good." Robert's expression was more animated than I had ever seen it. "We have a breakthrough."
"What kind of breakthrough?" I moved closer to the desk.
"The deputy police commissioner." Robert pulled up a file on the screen. "He owes me several favors and I finally called them in. He's agreed to quietly access city surveillance footage, and cross-reference it with facial recognition, and other things we can't do without raising red flags."
My heart leaped for the second time that evening. "And he found something?"
"Not yet. But he's looking. With police resources behind the search, our chances of finding her just increased exponentially." Robert's eyes met mine. "If she's in this city, we'll find her."
Hope surged through me, almost painful in its intensity. "When will we know?"
"He'll run the scans when he can.” Robert leaned back in his chair. "I know it's not the immediate answer we wanted, but it's progress.”
For the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe properly. We were close. We had to be.
Marco stood abruptly. "Excuse me. I need to make some calls."
He left the study without looking at either of us, his shoulders rigid with tension.
"He doesn't approve," I observed.
"Marco is protective of Arya. Can you blame him?" Robert poured two glasses of scotch, sliding one across the desk to me. "But he'll come around. Once we find her and she's safe… that's all that matters."
I accepted the drink, though the idea of toasting with Robert Vitale still felt surreal.
"To finding her," Robert said, raising his glass.
"To finding her," I echoed.
And for the first time since I found that pregnancy test, I let myself believe it might actually happen.