His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 330

“Still no progress with the stick?” I attacked Victoria the second I stepped into her car. At first, I thought she wanted to meet up to tell me something important, but her true goal was to visit Stevie Madden’s wife.

“None.” Victoria rolled her eyes, driving off immediately. “Whatever information Anya found, she did not want it to fall into the wrong hands.”

“Or maybe your guy is bad at his job and needs to retire,” I whispered just loud enough so she could hear.

Time was ticking, and I did not have the energy to wait around for a stick all day. Perhaps I should’ve taken care of it myself.

After a peaceful drive, we had finally arrived at Kate Maddens’ house. Back when Stevie was still alive, Alex and I used to visit pretty often to spend time with the kids.

Everything changed after Stevie’s death. Dad had turned cold and never healed, Alex was too busy working, and I led my own life.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked once we reached the front porch. The lawn, which had always been mowed and green, looked dull and abandoned. Also, Kate Maddens had never recovered from her husband’s death.

Even though at that time he was just a kid manipulated by Panther, knowing Tiago pulled the trigger and ended Stevie Maddens’ life left a bad taste in my mouth. The crazy thing was that if Marvin had done it, I would’ve gotten over it in a second.

Was that what love does to people?

Victoria knocked on the door, interrupting my thoughts. “We don’t have that much choice, now do we?” She spoke, overconfident.

Just as I was about to pull Victoria’s hand so we could get the hell away, the door got opened by none other than Kate Maddens.

As always, Kate carried the same forced smile on her lips, as if someone had forced her to be strong and happy. “Elena, hi, sweetheart!” The woman spoke enthusiastically, pulling me into a hug. “And Victoria, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am-I’m surprised you remember!” Victoria gasped as I stepped back awkwardly.

“How could I not when the two of you are practically married.” Kate joked as if things couldn’t get any more awkward. Victoria and I used to be inseparable. Who would’ve thought a man would eventually be the one to damage our friendship?

It was clear dad hadn’t visited for a while because if he did-Kate would’ve been aware of everything and wouldn’t have made these comments.

“So, what brings you here?” Kate asked, worried. “Is George okay?”

Yes, ma’am. I’m not here to visit you. I’m only here because I have some questions about your corrupt husband.

“We had some questions about your late husband and the Castillo’s!” Victoria took over the conversation, not being able to wait any longer.

The fake smile on Kate’s lips had vanished, and her hands trembled as she reached for the doorknob. “I can’t help you. I’m sorry-you need to go.” She spoke in a hurry. “I’ve already spoken to the cops and your dad about it.”

Just as she was about to shut the door, Victoria forced her foot in between. “Do George and the cops know your husband was corrupt?”

This was Victoria. She was determined to get to the bottom of things and always got what she wanted.

Poor Kate had a terrified expression on her face as she was clearly startled by Victoria’s accusation. There was no point in denying it because her eyes had already spoken.

“Kate, we know about Stevie,” I spoke calmly.

Kate gulped. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t worry, dad doesn’t know, and I’m not planning on telling him either.”

Kate and I stared at each other until the woman finally released a defeated sigh. “Come in.” She spoke. “We’ll have to make it quick before the children get home.”

If anyone had told me that I would spend my afternoon sitting on Kate’s couch to talk about her corrupt husband-I wouldn’t have believed it. I guess that was why I could not sit still or drink the tea she prepared for us.

“How did you know about Stevie?” Kate asked, equally as nervous.

“That doesn’t matter.”

you said your dad

“I don’t live at home

answer her question. There was no way I would even consider telling her I was living with the Castillo’s. Even though they had technically been cleared from Maddens death, it

My husband was corrupt.” Kate spoke. “He used to transfer drugs and money to places the

we needed the money.” She said. “Stevie worked overtime, but even that wasn’t enough-so he did some things he would never even dream of doing, and I

was a good question. There was no

him.

wish I could tell you, but I do not know.” Kate shrugged. “He didn’t tell me much…I remember finding stacks of cash in the basement, I demanded answers, but he only told me half the truth.”

haven’t told any of this to George Torres

Kate scoffed. “All the agents have been nothing but

ranted. “I also wouldn’t dare to

Hernandez are responsible but the Castillo’s.” Victoria wrote down. “What makes you say that?”

look in her eyes. “What makes me

monster, Marvin Castillo, who confessed to killing my husband in cold blood in custody and only let him go after he lied about

monster, Marvin Castillo.

to talk about Marvin? My

able to control myself, I would’ve given her a slap for calling the love of my life a monster —but I knew I had to be careful. All I could do was take a

sure the Castillo’s are behind all of this?”

doing?” Kate lost her temper. “Please don’t

jacket. “But don’t

Kate asked, tensing her shoulders.

your name out of it?”

to his cage where he belongs.”

observed the uncomfortable look on my

Kate nodded.

all of this.” Victoria surprised me. All the things she had mentioned about him hadn’t

no, it can’t be.” Kate

do I remember that guy he’s

he’s always

him because George asked me if I’d ever seen

Could it be…

eyes widened. “Is

know that name?” Kate’s breaths quickened. Was she afraid of him?

forget to tell us something?” Victoria tapped her chin. “I

eyes, forcing the woman to answer.

wanted out…so they killed

We spoke at

Kate lowered her head. “Stevie wanted out, threatened to expose them,

her brows. “Expose

you, I don’t know,” Kate spoke, frustrated.

of building his own empire so years from now, he could give

did the woman look

and her face was covered, but there’s one thing I

blonde hair. I

closed her notebook. “Thank you.”

I reached for Kate’s hands. “Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it.”

said. “I didn’t want to tell George the full truth because I didn’t want

then, I can’t help but feel guilty knowing he got put on probation because he believes they locked up the

did I even