Denial (Careless Whispers #1)(58)

Remembering how shredded Kayden was last night, I’m reminded that this man’s motives are not wholly pure. I nod, and claim a chair by the sofa. “Why were you here at three in the morning?” I ask as he sits down on the stone table in front of me, rather than on the sofa. Too close for comfort, considering I can see the blue flecks in his gray eyes.

“I was worried about you. And I couldn’t miss Giada at the doorstep in need of help.”

In other words, he’s watching the castle, and probably chose this time to visit because he knows Kayden’s not here. He reaches in his pocket and produces a small plastic box. “Fingerprint kit. Let’s get these done, and then we’ll chat.”

His push to go right to the prints has me thinking again that he’s either suspicious of me, or working for Niccolo and trying to prove I’m Ella. Whatever the case, it hits me that by denying my returned memory, I’ve given him the ticket to set me free, thanks to Matteo’s handiwork.

“Thank you,” I say as he opens the box and removes an ink pad. “I’m eager to have my identity back.”

“Exactly why I can’t quite get my head around you leaving the hospital like you did.”

“Concussions don’t make for logical thinking,” I say. “I felt claustrophobic and embarrassed about the bills that were piling up. Thankfully, Kayden found me and I slept off the insanity.”

“Let’s get this done and we’ll delve into the many shades of Kayden Wilkens.” He holds the ink pad out to me. “Press your fingers on top.”

I do as he instructs and then push down on a hard card he holds out to me. “That’s it,” he says, offering me a tissue, which I accept. “We’ll have the results later today.”

“That fast? Wonderful.”

He sticks the kit back in his pocket and gives me a steady inspection. “Look, Eleana. I know this castle and Kayden’s money are alluring, even a fantasy, but you don’t know him. Jumping into a relationship with a stranger, while you have amnesia, in a strange country, could be dangerous.”

Gallo stirs thoughts of him that I shove aside. Kayden is nothing like that man. “Before you go on, Detective Gallo,” I say, “you’ve made it evident that you have a personal bone to pick with Kayden, and it’s hard to feel protected when that’s your motivation. You can’t tell me you’d be sitting outside a house at three in the morning if Kayden wasn’t involved.”

He leans his elbows on his knees, even closer now than before. “People who become intimately involved in his life die. I get chills just being in this place.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He didn’t tell you what happened here?”

Dread fills me. “What happened?”

“Five years ago, the prior owner of the castle—”

“Kevin.”

“Yes. Kevin, and Kayden’s fiancée, Elizabeth, who was living here, were both slaughtered. Kayden was conveniently gone.”

I am gutted by the news, understanding Kayden better now than ever, and I’m also angered on his behalf, lashing out in response. “Convenient? Are you accusing him of actually hurting the people he loved?”

“People die when he’s around. That is a fact. Two years ago—”

“I know what happened two years ago. You act like he was the cause.”

“The Underground. Do you know them?”

“He told me about them.”

“Tell me what you know.”

“They find things for people for a price.”

“And do you think what they do is legal?”

I shrug. “He did work for the police.”

“Kayden is the kingpin of a massive, dangerous organization. He makes the decisions. He leads them to hell, and if you think he doesn’t do what he has to do to keep his slate clean, you’re going to end up dead like the rest of them. I’m trying to protect you.” He softens his voice. “Please listen to me, Eleana. I am truly trying to protect you.”

“No, you’re trying to turn me against him.” I stand. “I think you need to leave.”

“Yes. You need to leave,” Kayden says.

At the sound of Kayden’s voice Gallo grimaces, and I’m relieved this meeting is over. Gallo turns and Kayden’s stare is pure contempt. Gallo doesn’t cower. “I am helping Eleana find her way back to her life—not yours.”

“Leave, Gallo.”

Gallo’s lips twist sardonically. “I’m not quite done here.”

“Leave,” Kayden bites out. “Now.”

Gallo glances at me. “How should I reach you to give you the fingerprint results?”

“Kayden,” I say, making it quite clear which side of the line drawn between these two I stand on. “Call Kayden.”

He smirks. “I’ll just come back by.” He turns and rounds the table to stand face-to-face with Kayden.

“Move along,” Kayden instructs. “You’re on private property and I’m fully within my rights to throw you out. Actually, make my day and give me a reason to toss you out the door myself.”

I hold my breath, aware Gallo would like to push Kayden, and the heavy seconds that follow are eternal. Finally the detective saunters toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. “You know where to find me, Eleana,” he states firmly, and leaves.