Page 58 of Daddies of the Underworld

Every step toward the side entrance made my pulse beat harder and my chest squeeze.

I hated being inside knowing I wouldn’t see her smiling at me from across the room.

Matteo stood in an alcove outside Nina’s room in the private wing. The room stayed locked, with only the three of us holding keys. Even Rosa was banned from entry.

He opened the door without looking at me. I closed my eyes and braced for the scent of lemon soap.

“You’re bleeding.” Matteo followed me into the room.

I shook my head and forced my eyes open. “Not mine this time.”

Nina’s suitcase sat by the dresser. She’d taken most of her clothes, but not the suitcase that would slow her down.

Luca stumbled in from the balcony, his eyes bloodshot and a full glass of whiskey sloshing with every step. He lifted it in a mockery of a toast. “Our wandering disaster returns.”

“While our homebound lush remains firmly in place.” I shot the words back at him because he was too drunk for this day and I was too sober. I took the whiskey from him and downed it.

Matteo’s gaze sharpened. “Do not start this.”

“Oh, forgive me. Should I be stoic? Silent? Should I stand at the gates and glare at the ocean?” Luca grabbed the decanter and pointed it at Matteo. “I’m not the one who made her room into a shrine. She’s not dead.” He started to take a drink, his hand shaking so much he gave up and hurled the decanter at the wall.

It shattered, sending the sharpness of whiskey to overlay the lemon soap Luca bought by the case and stored in the closet.

We were the three most powerful men in Europe, and we were taken out daily by our loss.

Luca sat on the edge of the bed and dangled his hands between his knees. “Do you ever wonder if she meant it? How could she love us and leave with nothing more than that letter?” His voice cracked on the last word, and his shoulders hunched.

I’d rather lick seaweed off the beach than see him like this. “She meant it.” The words came out rough around the ache in my chest, but I meant them. “She was afraid. I still believe something spooked her. Nina would not betray us, but she would leave if she thought we couldn’t protect her from the alliance.”

Matteo picked up the letter from the pillow and ran his thumb around the edge. We’d all memorized it, and we left it here as a constant reminder of how we’d failed her. “She most likely feared we would choose the alliance over her. I will never forgive myself for not understanding how her upbringing would make her believe she was expendable to us.”

My phone buzzed, the name of one of my old informants showing on the screen. I answered without thinking. “What?”

A feminine laugh burst out. “Well, you certainly haven’t changed for the better. I’m calling about that bounty you threw in my lap three years ago. I have a name. Maybe hers. Maybe not. There’s a woman in Chicago. Takes cash jobs only, moves every six months. No social media. She looks like the picture you sent me. Hair’s a little shorter, but facial recognition says it's a ninety percent match.”

Chicago. My heart kicked hard once against my ribs, and my neck creaked when I snapped my head up to meet Matteo’s eyes. “What’s the name?”

“Nina Bell. Before that, it was Amelia Richards. Haven’t found anything older than that. I was lucky to get the one picture. Tends to keep her head down and disappears when anyone asks too many questions. I think it’s her, Dante. I think I found your ghost.”

Luca gripped the bedpost tight enough it creaked. I hadn’t realized he’d be able to hear, much less process through his drunken haze, but he suddenly looked sober.

“Current address?” I walked to the desk and grabbed a pen and paper, writing the name on the old notepad Nina always kept there.

“Don’t have one. Might have a cafe job at Books and Brew.” She rattled off an address. “Tried having one of my guys follow her, but she gave him the slip. Got good instincts. She’s always shaking my tails without even seeming to try very hard.”

Smart woman. When the call ended, none of us moved for several seconds. Then, Luca reached for the paper. “Chicago. That’s…wow. She made it a long way.”

“It might not be her.” I couldn’t let him fall apart again. Better to temper expectations now. I rubbed a hand down my face. “I leave in an hour.”

“I’ll have the private jet ready.” Matteo clapped me on the shoulder, his fingers digging in.

“I’m coming with you.” Luca stood on shaky legs.

I pushed him back onto the mattress. “No. You’re staying here. If this is another false lead, I’ll never get you back. You need to stay.”

Matteo joined me in holding Luca on the mattress. “He’s right. You’re too volatile right now, Luca. I need you to focus on the next committee meeting.”

“Fuck the committee. I want to be on that plane.” Red rimmed his eyes, tears brimming to the surface. “Please.”