“I understand, and you’re welcome to give customers posters and ask them if they’ve seen her or if they have any information to help you. But that’s all I can offer. I will never allow Bianca to date Cosimo, not once, not ever.”
“But, Mr. Alfarez—”
“Now,youplease try to understand I, too, have to protect my daughter. If you don’t, I’m afraid you won’t be welcome here anymore.” He stood, not allowing Bianca or me to say another word, practically kicking me out of his tiny office at the diner.
“I’m so sorry, Cameron. I tried,” Bianca said.
I nodded at her once. “It’s not your fault. Thanks anyway.” I collected my things and dashed out, anger bubbling up inside me. I stared at this city of pain where monsters like the Lanzas and the Night Skulls ruled with fear and malice. Where people like me and Annie were nothing but a form of entertainment for them, to take, use and abuse whenever they felt like, and we just had to submit and take whatever they dished out. Because they were rich and powerful and criminals and we were not.
Bent over in agony, I screamed out loud, saying my sister’s name at the top of my lungs for everyone to hear it, tears bursting from my eyes. My sister was taken, and there was nothing I could do to bring her back.
No. I refused to give up. I refused to be one of the weak.
I straightened my back and glared at the diner. I couldn’t blame Alfarez for trying to protect the girl he raised. In his way, he might have been protecting me, too. He wasn’t my father, though. I was old enough to know what was best for me. It was my job to protect Annie, and I’d do it no matter what.
If Bianca wouldn’t help, I’d go to the Lanzas myself.
I ran to the bank and got all the money I had left before they closed for the day. Then I went to Dad’s house—where I’d been living since the abduction—to change.
Much to my surprise, Mr. Alfarez was waiting at the door. “We need to talk.”
I let him in and offered him a beer. “If you’re here to make sure I don’t bother Bianca again about the Lanzas, don’t worry. I’m going to deal with them myself.”
The plan was simple. Go to Cosimo Lanza directly and offer him the money in exchange for bringing Annie back. He was still Mafia. If there was anything he wanted more than the girl, it was money. He’d never say no to money.
I didn’t know where he lived or where he did business, but I knew he’d be at Alfarez tonight to pick upMona. I’d make my proposal there, and Annie would be back home.
“I’m here to make sure you don’t have anything to do with the Mob. You don’t know how dangerous they are,” he said.
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Alfarez, but I’m old enough to make my own choices in life, and right now this is the right choice.” The only choice.
He shook his head. “Listen, Cameron. I know you think it’s the only way to save your sister, but what you’re about to do isn’t going to bring her back. You think the Lanzas are going to favor you for a few thousands over the Night Skulls that make them millions?”
“What?”
“They’re friends, Cameron. The MC facilitates their drug and gun businesses. They won’t lose them for your sake or even Bianca’s. You can’t afford to pay them off. And even if Cosimo takes your money and says yes, you have to know that he’ll come back asking for more, and you’ll never be able to say no. If you make any kind of connection with the Lanzas, it’s for life. You can’t get out.”
I shook my head in despair. “I’ll have to take that risk.”
“But—”
“But what? Let Roar and his gang rape my little sister every fucking day for the rest of her life?” I clenched my jaws hard so I wouldn’t cry.
“I didn’t say that. I’m saying there’s another way.”
“What way? What else can I do?”
“Ever heard of the Belle View dance club?”
A dance club? Seriously? “Yes, but I’ve never been. Is there some other gang there that can bring my sister back but less evil that will let me get off with a one-time payment?”
He scoffed. “I don’t want you to deal with any gang. I want you to take matters into your own hands so you won’t be in debt to any son of a bitch out there.”
I threw my hands in the air in frustration. “I can’t stand up to the Night Skulls by myself.”
“You won’t have to. Just hear me out, kid. Since he returned home, Dusty has been spending every night in that club. All you have to do is get to that boy. He’ll bring Annie back for you.”
“Wait a minute, who’s Dusty, and what does he have to do with my sister?” I asked impatiently.
