“I will. I’ll be back.”
Taking one last glance at her sleeping daughter, Ava left the room. She blinked back tears as she walked towards the elevator. It didn’t feel good to leave her daughter. What she should be doing was staying with her child until Dominic called, but she had to do something. Waiting around was not her speed. She needed answers and she knew that Smitty was likely the one who had them. The elevator dinged and Ava quickly took it down to the first floor. She put on her shades as the elevator doors opened.
Looking around, she was relieved that the lobby was empty. So far so good. With an easy stride she was outside and walking towards her car in the parking lot. Just as she reached the car, her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse and looked at the screen. Melissa. Unlocking the car, Ava climbed inside and locked the door before answering her phone.
“Hey Melissa.”
“Ava, I’m so glad I caught you. Listen, I have great news.”
“What’s that?” Ava asked, pretty sure she already knew what it was.
“Mike called me. Apparently his client has come to his senses and decided to drop his ridiculous lawsuit. He called and told me he’s going to file the paperwork today.”
“That’s great news.”
“Indeed it is.”
“I’ll say. So as soon as everything’s been filed correctly I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds great. Send me your bill as well.”
Ava put the phone down. She blinked away a tear. Dominic was a man of his word. He’d dropped the suit. All in the name of love. She still couldn’t believe it. People would do anything for money. Steal, kill, blackmail, you name it. But apparently not Dominic Sambarino. He was a man of a different breed and she loved him for it. Trying to wipe the smile off her face, Ava started the car and backed out of the parking lot.
But there was still something else, an unanswered question floating around…Dominic’s paternity. Was he or was he not Joseph’s son? And after all that had occurred, did it even still matter? Joseph was dead and Dominic was here and ready to give her all the things her late husband never had.
Careful to make sure she wasn’t followed, she quickly pulled out into traffic and headed toward Smitty’s. It wouldn’t be a long drive. The hotel she’d chosen to spend the night was not in the most upscale of neighborhoods and less than fifteen minutes away from Smitty. As Ava drove she wondered when Dominic would call. She was worried about him. Her mind played a million scenarios. So much was at stake. Not only Dominic’s life and freedom but hers as well. She sent up a silent prayer that he hadn’t gotten caught. She couldn’t lose the one man who’d finally shown her that she could give him her heart and her trust and expect the same in return.
Ava rounded the next street corner and pulled into the parking lot that serviced the plaza where Smitty had his business. There were people loitering in the area, just like the last time she’d visited. Ava locked her car and took a quick look around before she entered Smitty’s place of business. She could hear Smitty on the phone as she entered. Turning, she locked the door behind her and walked down the short hallway that lead to Smitty’s office.
“Yeah. Yeah. Not a problem.”
Ava cleared her throat. Smitty looked up. His eyes widened.
“I’ll have to call you back,” Smitty said into the phone.
Ava came to stand in front of his desk, but she didn’t take a seat. “Smitty.”
He stood up from his desk. He shook his head. “What are you doing here, Ava? I haven’t heard from you since you wanted me to get dirt on the Sambarino kid.”
“I need answers, Smitty. Somebody’s trying to kill me.”
The older man rubbed his face. “Somebody’s trying to kill you?”
Something about the way he said it. The inflection in his voice made her suspicious. “You’re not the least bit surprised about what I’m telling you. I can see it in your face.”
“Ava, come on,” Smitty said, sitting down.“You know you’re my girl.”
“Save it, Smitty. Some prick broke into my house and aimed a gun at me. He was going to kill me and leave my child an orphan. Now I need answers, Smitty, and I need them now.”
Smitty leaned back in his chair. His eyes grew hard. The gregarious, fun-loving man she knew was nowhere to be found.
“Fine. You want answers. It ain’t good. This thing is deep. I’m hearing a variety of things.”
“Like what?”
“Like your old man was into some shit that put his name at the top of the list to get whacked by damn near everyone.”
“Something like what? Vendettas and fights over territory are part of the business,” Ava said.
“I don’t know. Whatever it is, everyone is keeping it real hush-hush.”
“Okay, but Joseph is dead. What does any of that have to do with me?”
“Revenge. Somebody’s gotta pay for whatever it is your old man did. His associates could very well be coming after you for just that reason.”
“Smitty, that makes no sense. Women and children are supposed to be untouchable.”
“They are, but your husband apparently pissed off a lot of people. I heard there’s a contract out on you. Somebody’s paying big money to have you whacked.”
“Are you kidding me? So I’m the scapegoat for whatever Joseph was doing right before he died? Unbelievable. It’s only been a few months.”
“Here’s the thing, no one is saying who put out the hit. Just remember, your brother-in-law is a loose cannon so there’s no telling if he pissed somebody off and they’re coming after you because of that.”
“Smitty, I need something concrete to go on. How else do I protect myself?”
“Look Ava, that’s all I know. I wish I had more, but the streets are being pretty quiet about this. My advice to you is to get out of dodge as quickly as possible.”
Ava shook her head. “It’s not that simple. You know me, Smitty. I don’t run from anything. I have a life here, a life I’ve worked hard to build. I’m not going to let anyone run me out of town.”
“Ava, I know you’re tough. Tougher than any woman I know, but now is not the time to be Superwoman. Please. I’d hate to hear about anything happening to you.”
“I appreciate the concern, Smitty, but I know what I have to do. Thanks.”
Ava turned and left his office. Riding off into the sunset was not what she did. Ava jumped into her car and started the engine. Tires squealing, she roared out of the parking lot. Smitty’s information had been haphazard at best, but at least she had some idea of where this hit could be coming from. Mob related. How ironic.
She’d had nothing to do with Joseph’s business when he was alive. And definitely not now that he was dead. Ava had made a life with Joseph in order to save her family. And now Joseph was about to cost her her family. He was screwing her over from beyond the grave. This was the thanks she got for being a loyal wife. Her angry musings were interrupted when her cellphone rang. Picking it up, she looked down at the caller ID. Restricted. Her mouth went dry. With a shaking hand, she answered the phone.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Hello?”
“Ava, it’s Dominic.”
Ava released a breath. “Why are you calling me from a restricted number?”
“I picked up a disposable phone while I was out. No use taking chances.”
“Is everything fine? Are you okay?”
“Babe, I’m good. I’m just ready to hold you in my arms again. Where are you?”
Ava swallowed. “Heading back to the hotel.”
“Heading back? Ava, where have you been? You should have been laying low. Your life is in danger.”
“I know. I know, but I can’t just sit around like some scared little rabbit. I needed to do something. To try and find out who’s behind all this.”
“Ava, where’s Maia?”
“She’s at the hotel with Mrs. Valdez.”
“I really wish you hadn’t gone out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if something happened to you?”