Chapter 118 The Text
Dakota's P.O.V.
Everyone gasps and looks at Victor in shock when I ask why he tried to kill us. I have to give him credit; he seems the most surprised of all.
"Why would I try to kill you?" he asks.
"That's not really an answer. Let's do a little show-and-tell, shall we?" I look at Noah, and he begins the video. The hospital conference room has a smart board, so the video is large enough for everyone to see. Noah freezes the footage when Victor comes out of the garage without the bag he had when he went in.
"You were the last person to go into the garage before we took the SUV. You carried a bag in and came out with nothing. I just want to know what we did that was so bad you wanted to kill us. Did you hire someone to kill me when Grandpa died, too?" I'm not holding anything back. I'm filled with equal parts of hurt and anger.
"I didn't try to kill you. The bag I carried into the garage was an anniversary gift for Keri. She likes to try to find her gift before our date night, so I hid it in the garage. You can look right now, and you'll find it. I hid it on the shelf next to an old toolbox. I would never hurt you, Dakota." He seems sincere, but I'm not sure I believe him yet. I pull out my phone and text Tyler.
Can you please go to the compound and see if there's a black bag hidden next to an old toolbox in the garage? If there is, can you tell me what's inside?
Sure, I'll go now.
"I'm having someone verify what you're saying is true. You all know we almost died yesterday. If it wasn't Victor, then it has to be someone else who can easily get onto the compound grounds." I begin pacing around the room while I think.
"Who took the SUV out last?" Uncle Kozy asks.
"It was taken out a couple of days ago by Hector for routine maintenance," Xavier replies. I see he and Sarah are holding hands under the table.
"Where does it get serviced?" Dad asks. I look at Xavier because I have no idea. I understand what Galdino means now. I need to know everything about the family business, even the minor things I don't think are important. I should know where my cars get serviced.
"We take them to Andre's on 49th Street," Xavier replies. I'm really liking this man. He's the newest and youngest member of our security team, but he has his shit together.
"I think we may need to talk to Andre and Hector to see if anyone was around the SUV while it was there. You may also want to see if Andre has any cameras," Uncle Yorkie says. I look down at my phone when I receive a text from Tyler. He sent me pictures of what was in the bag, and I quickly put my phone in my pocket.
"Is everything okay?" Mom asks. I close my eyes and try to figure out a way I can bleach my brain. I do not need to think about my Uncle Victor and Aunt Keri using what was in that bag.
"Yeah, everything is fine. Tyler sent me pictures of what's in the bag Uncle Vicki left in the garage. Let's just say I could have gone my whole life without seeing that, and I would have been fine." The bag was filled with different sex toys, one of which was a very large dildo. I look at my uncle, and he smiles, but I see hurt in his eyes.
"I told you I would never try to kill you, Dakota. I love you. It breaks my heart that you would think I could do something like that." I feel bad for him, but he should have told me he had hidden something in the garage.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Vicki, but I'm still not entirely sure who I can trust right now. Someone tried to blow us up yesterday. Someone tried to kill me four years ago and would have been successful if Grandpa Chrissy hadn't pushed me out of the way. I feel like I'm on a life raft, and I'm not sure what shark is going to try to pull me under next. When Ari is released from the hospital, I will be going to Galdino's compound to stay with him. Sarah, Noah, and Xavier are going with me. We're going to get to the bottom of this, and when we do, I hope that all of you are still left standing. If I find out I have any traitors among us, I will not hesitate to eliminate them." I look around at each person in the room and meet their eyes. My mom and dad have mixed emotions. They look proud and worried, but I know they love me and will stand beside me no matter what I have to do. They made me the woman I am today. In some ways, I'm still their little girl, but in many others, I'm the woman my grandpa wanted me to be. I look at Ari, and he smiles. I know he's in pain, but he wanted to be here to support me. Now, we need to talk to Andre.
After everyone leaves, I keep Galdino back for a minute. I don't know Shae, but I have been so worried that something is going to happen to her at the hands of the twins.
"Can you give me Shea's phone number? I want to have a way to reach her to make sure everything is okay. Do you think she'd be okay with that?" I ask him as we follow the transporters, pushing Ari back to his room. We have to prepare for his debridement.
"I'll send it to you. She won't care." He sends me her information, and after we get settled in Ari's room, I text her.
Hi. You don't know me. I'm Dakota Kondrati, Ari's girlfriend. Galdino told me what you're doing, and I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Please let me know if you feel unsafe and need a way out. If you can't call, send me a text with the word now, and I will get you out. Stay strong. I look forward to meeting you.