AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"No." He shakes his head. "He said rich people don't really check their bank statements unless it's for obscene amounts. He was careful to keep the purchases at a minimum, at least enough to stay under the radar from both her and her bank while also ordering enough to seem suspicious."
"Who is the so-called competitor?" I ask. Even with all of this information, I still need a name for the person or organization responsible for the auction Morgan advertised. The only thing her father had given me was a number, but it would make it a lot faster if I also had a name attached to it as well.
"The Rosario Family," he says. "They're an Italian mob that's monopolizing the human trafficking sector of this region, andit's all because of that girl and how they can advertise publicly and right under the nose of law enforcement."
I lock the name in the back of my mind as I nod. "And is that everything you know?"
"Yeah, man. They only tell us lower-level guys information on a need-to-know basis. Anything deeper than what I've already said isn't something we're privy to."
I stare at him for a long while, watching as his good eye bounces between me and the cattle prod. I finally lower the tool and nod. "Okay then," I say. "I guess that's all I need from you then."
"So I can go now?" he asks.
I don't answer him, only walking back over to the wardrobe. I put the cattle prod back in its place before retrieving the pistol, checking to make sure it was loaded before I turn around. The man's eye widens as he jerks against his restraints.
"What the fuck, man?!" he exclaims as I approach him. "I told you everything I know, I swear!"
"And I appreciate that," I reply. "But you didn't really think you'd walk out of here when your two friends are dead, did you?"
"Wait, I?—"
I fire a single shot, watching his head quickly snap back before falling forward. Blood pools in his lap from the gaping hole in his forehead as his body slumps in the chair. I roll the tension out of my shoulders before returning the gun to the wardrobe. Now that I have all the information that I need, it was time to get rid of this threat once and for all.
Once everything is back in its place, I step out of the room only to find Natalie standing outside of the door. She's nearly a foot shorter than me, her blond hair slicked back into a low bun. She wears her usual attire of a dark pantsuit, her dark rimmed glasses seeming to match her outfit. Her hands are clasped infront of her as she waits to hear my assessment. I close the door and step off to the side, crossing my arms over my chest.
"So I was right about the auction," I finally say. I recount everything the informant revealed, Natalie nodding her head as I spoke. "Now, instead of only worrying about this auction, we still have to deal with the actual organization who put the hit out on Morgan. Even if we stop the auction, it won't stop them from coming after her again if this same company tries to do business with her again."
"Right," Natalie agrees. "It's actually why I'm up here, as I wanted to talk to you about what I've found. It's pretty much the same thing that he's told you. The makeup company is a front. It's listed under a shell company that's registered as Rosario, Inc, which is related to the Rosario Mafia Family. There are multiple open investigations looking into the alleged trafficking, both domestic and international."
"Jesus." I run a frustrated hand through my hair. "So where do we start? This is no longer a singular person; we're now chasing two organizations. If we don't get the actual head of the Chernakov Bratva, the target won't be safe."
"Where is the target now?"
"I took her back home," I idly say. I don't even realize the mistake I've made until Natalie's eyebrows nearly disappear into her hairline.
"You took her home? From where?" she asks.
"I had her stay at my place to be protected after the attack," I state, hoping I sound professional enough for it not to be suspicious.
"And she couldn't stay in a hotel? Where is her father?"
"He thought it was best if she went with me just in case the men came back for him," I say, lying through my teeth. Natalie looks at me for a long while.
"Nothing is going on between you and the target, right?" she asks. "You know it's dangerous to personally get involved with targets in situations like this."
"I know the protocol," I say, my voice tight.
"Good." She nods. "Well, I'll get a team on busting the auction up and I'll keep looking into seeing who the head of the Russian bratva is so that we can organize the appropriate plan to eliminate the threat to the target. Stay close to your phone. I'll be in touch soon."
"Will do," I mumble and turn to walk away.
"And Trent," she calls out. I pause and look over my shoulder. "Keep your distance from the target. Now that she knows of her threat, there's no need for your up close and personal surveillance."
I turn without a word and continue down the hall, annoyance tightening my muscles. I have to get my head back in the game, and maybe I did need to keep my distance. I step onto the elevator, shifting back into work mode as I prepare myself for the job ahead.
Even if it means ghosting Morgan in the process.
16
