Chapter 59

Arianna POV: 

"We need to use this now!" Mosley insisted. "He has more chance to get out of this if he knows it's coming," 

"No, I don't want to move until Blake checks back in. If she's out there or god forbid is captured, she's in danger if we move," I insisted, Gio rubbed my back as I stood my ground. 

Even though we had found the file, Blake was determined to find the new account. She was worried the past charge was too easy for him to wriggle out of. She wanted more, so she had gone out to find it tracking him just like she had before. 

It had been three days since she was supposed to check in and there was radio silence on her end. My father didn't like getting caught twice, if he knew who Blake was from before I had no doubt he had gotten information on her. 

He may know how she operates and have people watching for her, he may have realized we reached out to her. It wasn't that I didn't believe Blake could survive him, it was that I knew the resentment my father felt for her. If he could have her head on a spike he would. 

"Not using this information while we have it could screw us over. You want to put him away, this is how we do it!" He growled. 

"Aren't you Americans all about no man left behind?" Giovanni shot back. 

"All I'm asking for is a few more days to see if she checks back in," I pushed. I understood that Mosley had been working on this case for years, he had been frothing at the mouth to put my father behind bars, and now he had a smoking gun. 

I just didn't want to cost the life of someone who had worked so hard to help my mother. To help us. Blake was new to the team, but she was a part of it now, I refused to leave her to her own devices. 

"It's very sweet that you want to keep everybody safe but I just hope it doesn't cost us everything we've worked for," Mosley hung up the call. 

I sighed sitting down feeling my heart pick up a little in pace. Yes, I wanted him to pay the price for everything he's done, but I knew my mother well enough to know she'd roll in her grave if I let a friend of ours pay the price. 

"He really does do what he can to make himself annoying," Gio chuckled. 

I nodded meekly my mind racing over the possibilities that my father could be slipping through our fingers. 

"Do not listen to him," Gio insisted. " if you have a feeling to hold back I believe you. It's important to listen to your gut," he came over and sat in front of me, holding onto my hands. "I don't disagree with Blake either, old charges are easier to get out of, but a history of breaking the law. Now that's a case," 

I nodded trying to convince myself to believe him, I had to. If this was the wrong move I don't think I'd ever forgive myself. 

"Enough," he pulled me up to my feet. "No more of this, we need a break," 

I laughed. We had been running ragged trying to find the file and then kept going to get a case built up against my father. It wasn't hard to believe I was going crazy. 

"Come on, let's get away," he insisted. 

Since our outing to the restaurant people had returned to the city inspired by our act of freedom, and reinforced belief in the police slowly life was getting back to normal. 

I wonder what the city would look like if my father was put away for good. How the people would thrive, felt like a folk tale of us defeating a mighty dragon. 

"Get dressed let's go out, and see the city," 

I knew it wasn't just for my benefit, Giovanni wanted to goad my father. He wanted to prove he wasn't afraid, that through his blind rage, my father had handed the keys of his kingdom over. 

Fear only lasts so long before people are tired of keeping their heads down. Then comes resilience, and everyone has had enough of his brutality. 

I got dressed and we headed out into the city, walking down the street in broad daylight. People waved to us and came up thanking Giovanni for his generosity and protection. 

Little old ladies pinching his cheeks and kissing my hand as they thanked us. Cops gave him a nod and looked the other way. They remembered the relief he gave the city, that it was his men who went out into the streets to fight. Even if my father tried to make a move I wondered if it would work. 

We shopped in the delis and looked around the boutiques. I felt my hair rise here and there wondering if one of the old beaters would appear or god forbid Giulia's sprouts car. 

It felt too real being out here having this moment in the sun. We grabbed supplies for homemade pizza and made our way home. Though I attempted to look at some work Giovanni dragged me into the kitchen. Luca helping him tear me away from the office. 

We got into the kitchen when my phone buzzed once Gio waved his finger no. I looked over at it hesitantly setting it down on the counter, another buzz. 

"If they must call," he told me. 

As if they could hear him my phone rang. I picked it up instantly. 

"Hello?" I hadn't recognized the number. 

Silence answered but I could hear someone breathing. "Arianna?" A whisper came on the other end. 

"Y-yes?" My blood ran cold, something was wrong. 

More silent breathing on the other end. I knew who it was by this point and my heart slammed in my chest. 

"I found it, but he's gotten close. Gotta hand it to him he knows who to hire," Blake whispered. "I'm gonna send you the information give it to the FBI, she instructed. 

"What about you?" I demanded. I couldn't believe she was calling at a moment like this, she had to be cornered. We barely knew anything about her, but I didn't believe she'd go down without a fight. 

"Do it," she snapped. "So help me god this is not a moment to stand on principle," she grunted. Heard her loading a magazine into a gun. 

My phone pinged again and I saw a file had been sent. 

"You have it?" She asked 

"Yes but-" 

The line went dead. What the hell was going on? I didn't know where she was or who she was with, how could I help her? 

"That was Blake she's in some sort of trouble," I told Gio hyperventilating as I handed him the phone. "She was hiding from someone she sent me the file. She's in danger though I could hear her laid by a gun," 

Gios eyes darkened at the information. "She can handle herself that much I believe, there's no way to where she is," he grabbed my phone looking at the number. 

"I don't know," I felt wholly responsible for bringing Blake into our mess, a vital asset she'd been and now she was somewhere in a shoot-out because of me. 

"What else did she say?" Luca asked me. 

"She found the new account she sent it to me. She said my father had good people protecting it," I started sniffling thinking about the life I had laid on the line. Guilt bubbling up in my throat I picture Blake just as beaten and bloodied as my mom and bile rose in my mouth. 

I had done this to her.