way.
And there were two men to blame for what she’d endured. While I wanted the Serpent dead, his punishment would be that much more severe.
A loss of his empire.
The drive to Dr. Walters’ house took longer than expected, the traffic horrific on the interstate. I’d forgotten just how much I loathed the congestion and the crowds. While the entire community was gated, security guards working twenty-four hours a day, there was no problem obtaining entrance.
After all, the glorious surgeon was prepared to show his gratitude by striking a check personally.
We waited for a full five minutes before Silas walked into the foyer, eyeing both of us as if we were old friends.
“I’m so glad to be able to meet with the two of you. I hope it’s all right if I call you Jack and Diego. I almost feel like you’re both family after what you’ve done,” Silas said as he showed us into his library, walking immediately toward a massive bar in the corner. “Would you care for a drink? It’s certainly a day to celebrate. You’ve brought my daughter home.”
Family. What a crock of shit.
“No, thank you, Dr. Walters. We won’t be taking much of your time,” I answered.
He shot me a look before smiling as he poured himself a scotch. “I’m glad to see you’re on the mend, son. I know my daughter was very concerned. And please, call me Silas.”
“Your daughter should be concerned but not because of a bullet wound,” Diego murmured.
Silas walked closer, obviously uncertain of what Diego was getting at. “I’m sorry?”
“She should be concerned that her father made the mistake of getting involved with the Mancini crime syndicate when he was fresh out of medical school. While I believe there was a true friendship between you and the patriarch, Joseph Mancini, going all the way back to your days in college, you were already aware of the type of work the family was into and had been for generations.” I allowed the words to sink in before continuing, even enjoying the warm flush as it crept up along the doctor’s cheeks.
“What?” he finally mumbled.
“You’ve certainly done an excellent job keeping your connection as far off the grid as possible,” Diego added.
I walked closer to him, enjoying the way he squirmed. “Very successful both financially and in the ability to keep your secret buried. Sadly, there comes a price to pay when getting in bed with a notorious mafia family. You were blackmailed after making a single yet horrific mistake.”
“I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted.
“I think you do,” I continued. “Christopher Mancini was hurt in a horrific shoot-out just a few months ago, prompting your services. Something went wrong during the surgery, didn’t it?”
Silas exhaled, his body slumping. He walked toward one of the oversized leather chairs, easing down into it, suddenly unable to look either one of us in the eyes. “I never intended on harming that boy, although he was a monster in the eyes of God and the law. I thought I could save him, but the bullet had entered a portion of his brain that made retrieving the bullet difficult. I thought I’d been successful until his brain started to swell. There was little I could do but try and keep him alive.”
“Which he still is, although with limited brain function.” Diego kept his tone even. “The fact you had a relationship with the Mancini family meant you remained alive; however, they wanted something in return. Your daughter.”
Tears formed in his eyes, his voice cracking as he answered, “They’d been close as children, even in college. Michael seemed different, wanting nothing to do with the family’s business. I thought it was a decent price to pay, but I learned that Michael was just as monstrous as his brother, in later years coming close to abusing my daughter. That’s why she ran away from me and her job, her life, and everything she loved. At first, I thought she’d be safe being so far away, and I could figure out another way to pay the debt, but when she was kidnapped, I knew they had something to do with it. I know I should have told Dante everything, but I was honestly terrified.”
“You were right. Michael gave her a beautiful necklace just before she left, somehow managing to convince her that he only wanted the best for her. Even saying goodbye. She wore that necklace on a regular basis because it reminded her how strong she was