Page 71 of Savage Little Secret

Luca’s name sparks a few memories in my mind. “Cara and I met him once together to discuss using his vans and we were able to reach an agreement.”

“Would you say he’s an ally of yours? If the Italians found out that you were working with him, they could be especially pissed off,” Sean remarks.

I wait for the waitress to drop off my drink before answering. “He’s not exactly a close friend, but I would call him an ally. I’m paying him to use his trucks. I remember him saying they kicked him out of the family.”

Sean shrugs. “Could be a lead. I couldn’t find much on anyone else on your list.”

“Luca said he liked working with the enemy now,” I reply. “I’m sure his family is furious.”

“Maybe even furious enough to go after you for working with him,” Sean points out.

I’m willing to follow any lead at this point, and I don’t have enough time to be picky. This will have to do.

“I still have his number. I’ll meet with him,” I say before knocking back my drink.

“When?”

“Tonight,” I reply before getting out of the booth. “Thanks.”

Sean scoffs at my abrupt exit, but I’m out of earshot before he can say anything else.

I stride out of the bar and out into the night, a slight chill lingering in the air from the night breeze. I find Luca in my contacts and hit the call button, hoping with everything that I have that he actually picks up the phone.

“Come on,” I mutter as I listen to each ring.

“Ciao!” Luca’s voice pops through the speaker.

“Luca, we need to meet. Right fucking now,” I tell him as I head farther down the sidewalk away from other people.

“Woah, slow down,” Luca says with a chuckle. “Are you drunk dialing me, Ivanov? It’s late.”

I huff in frustration. “This is serious. I need you to meet me somewhere. I don’t have a lot of time.”

“What is this about?” Luca questions me, his voice becoming more serious.

“It’s Cara,” I tell him as I slip into nearby shadows between two buildings. “Someone has taken her.”

“Cazzo…” Luca murmurs. “Where should I meet you?”

“I’ll send you the location. Come immediately,” I reply before hanging up the phone. As I hurry down the sidewalk, I send him the name and address of the small park that I’m heading to. It’ll be dark, quiet, and secluded.

When I arrive, there’s no one around. Only a few nearby lights illuminate the small walking path that circles the patch of grass, the small gazebo, and a handful of benches.

I make my way to one of the benches that face the street so that I can see him coming and take a seat, my heart still slamming against my ribcage. I’ve kept in contact with Luca a little throughout the past several weeks for business. His trucks have come in handy.

But is our partnership enough for his family to lash out at me?

Finally, I see a shadow crossing the street and heading my way. I sit up straighter as the streetlights illuminate the figure enough for me to make out Luca’s dark, wavy hair and designer jacket and pants.

“What the hell, Ivanov?” Luca says as he sits down next to me, keeping his voice low. “What happened?”

“Cara was driving out of town, and someone ran her off the road. They kidnapped her, and they’re keeping her somewhere. Some coward has called me twice, saying they’ll release her if I trade someone I’ve aligned myself with, someone bad for business.”

Luca nods slowly, confusion filling his face. “And this has something to do with me?”

“We’re in business together. I’ve been paying you for your trucks,” I tell him, watching his eyes widen a degree.

“What? Me?” he questions me.