“But the second time, after we changed things, Lorenzo followed Frank to the vault and stole the key that same day, before killing him,” Charlie said. “Which means in the timeline we’re currently in, Salvatore has had the key all along, even though bank records showed Frank made the deposit. Ivy, any idea where your father would’ve hidden it all this time?”
“It’s hard to say,” Ivy admitted. “Dear old Dad is headquartered in Chicago, but it could really be anywhere. He hides his riches all over the world, so that if his main casinois targeted, he doesn’t lose everything. Wherever it is, it’s in a highly secure location.”
“We can be thankful it’s in his hands, at least,” Kallie assured us.
“Why?” I asked. “He’s the most powerful vampire mob boss in the world, and he’s not a good guy.”
“Because my dad won’t play ball with the Warden,” Ivy informed us. “Two peas in a pod, they are. My dad and the Warden both have to be the biggest dick in the room, and my dad ain’t gonna make a deal with the Warden, because he doesn’t want to feel like he’s beneath people. The vampire key gives him some sort of power he can hold over the Warden’s head, and he’ll get off on that.”
“But the vampires have sided with The Mission,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, the vampiric government, not my dad’s mob. They’re two separate groups, and my dad and the governing body of vampires are always going at it. They’re sworn enemies,” Ivy stated.
“That’s putting it lightly. Salvatore Bianchi works for himself, and only himself,” Danny added. “He hates the vampiric government more than he despises anyone else on this planet. They’ve gotten in the way of his plans one too many times.”
“Salvatore Bianchi won’t join The Mission?” Marcus asked.
“Aw, no fucking way,” Ivy insisted. “My dad wants to be in charge. He’s fine letting the Warden do what he wants with the rest of the world for now. But the moment the Warden sets foot in Chicago, which is his turf, he’s gonna light him up.”
“Hopefully they’ll kill each other,” Kallie grumbled.
Ivy sipped at their tea and continued. “So we know my dad won’t hand over the key to the Warden… bad news is, he shouldn’t have it in his possession, either.”
“But we might be able to get it back today,” Kallie added. “Max, if you would.”
Max stepped forward. She laid a file on the table. “We know everything about Lorenzo Gallio. Where he hunts for blood, his schedule, what time he brushes his fangs in the morning. We also know… that he’s a major pervert who likes to frequent strip clubs and brothels in every city he’s in.”
“How does this help us?” Charlie asked.
“We found out that Lorenzo is going to be in Las Vegas tonight, making a deal on a shipment for Chicago,” Kallie said.
“What’s he buying?” I asked.
“Blood slaves,” Ivy replied regrettably. “One of the reasons I left the mob. I refused to deal in transporting people for slaughter. Unfortunately, trafficking of people, both human and supernatural, is my father’s favorite method of business.”
“We can’t let Salvatore sell those people,” I insisted. “We have to do something about it.”
“We’re already on it,” Max said. “We have Elvish task members working on getting those blood slaves out of confinement and into refugee housing in Ilamanthe.”
“Which Lorenzo doesn’t know about yet, but he’ll find out,” Kallie said. “The deal is supposed to take place tomorrow morning. Lorenzo is arriving in Vegas tonight, so he can get his rocks off at the local vampiric strip club the night before.”
“Charming,” I said dryly. “So how do we get him?”
“That’s where Ivy comes in.” Kallie gestured to Ivy, who stood.
Ivy took a breath. “The vampire that owns the strip club has chains of supernatural brothels all over the world. I did a lot of work for him, and used to be his most popular dancer. He flew me all over the world as a performer and escort, because I brought in a lot of cash. He’s a rat, but he’s our way in. I’ve already reached out requesting to return and bring a couple ofmy dancer friends with me. He was chomping at the bit to have me back on stage.”
“Who are these friends?” Charlie asked apprehensively.
“That would be us,” Kallie said. “We pose as staff within the strip club, get Lorenzo alone, then figure out what he knows about the key.”
“And if he doesn’t want to talk?” I asked.
“Then we bribe him. Heavily,” Max said. “Or resort to other methods. With luck, the slimy worm will betray Salvatore, tell us where the key is, and we’ll bring it back here.”
I glanced at Ivy. “Will Lorenzo risk betraying your dad? You don’t turn your back on the vampiric mob without paying for it.”
Ivy shrugged. “It depends on where his loyalties lie.”
