“This is your fucking territory. How could that happen?”
He apologizes. Says sorry like it’s some sort of solution.
I pace over pieces of glass and porcelain, trying to process my anger quickly so I can think straight. I’ve been in a lot of dangerous situations. But I’ve never been angrier—never been as scared—as I am right now. This is my fault. I let Maksim get in my head about how isolated Carina was from her former life. I asked Misha to find out what was on that drive. We should have stayed in Russia, where I have resources and informants and men.
“Where is the restaurant?”
One of her brothers—Luca, the one who works there—relays an address that tells me nothing.
“No one intervened?”
“The men were armed,” Salvatore says. “Mine don’t frequent any legitimate businesses. There were only civilians there.”
“Were you supposed to work today?” I ask Luca.
He shakes his head. That could mean they were working off inside information. Or could be a coincidence.
“The police were called twenty minutes ago,” Salvatore tells me. “One of the officers on my payroll recognized her on the security footage.”
“What time on the footage?”
“Twelve thirty-six.”
I check my watch. It’s just after one p.m. now. “Have they identified the men?”
“Not yet.”
“License plate on the car?”
“It’s on the footage. It’s been circulated to the police. And my men are looking too.”
I frown. Sloppy. Are they changing plates or?—
“Car was found a mile from the restaurant,” Leo says, staring at his phone. “Matteo just messaged. It’s empty.” He glances at his father, then at me. “No cameras in the immediate vicinity.”
Enzo swears. “They planned this.” He looks at me. “Who knew you were coming to visit?”
“No one.” We didn’t make the decision ourselves on which day to leave until yesterday. My family has no idea we’re in Italy. “Who did you tell she was here?”
“No one outside the family,” Salvatore replies, his sons nodding in agreement.
“Then someone is watching you.”
“Or watching Isabella,” Enzo comments. “Carina must have called her.”
I nod. “Where does she live?”
Luca pulls his phone out. “I’ll find out from Cosmo. Our driver. He would have dropped Isabella off before Carina’s last visit.”
I focus on Salvatore. “Does Morello know about the kill plan?”
“How do you know about?—”
Salvatore silences Leo with a sharp look. All of his bluster has dissipated since the phone call. I respect him for that, if nothing else.
“I don’t know. Nico was furious after Madrid. He wanted me to contact your father. Demand her return.”
“Why didn’t you?”
