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“Listen,” She said to them and took a few unsteady breaths before she continued. She placed her palm against her forehead, closed her eyes and spoke with them closed as if annoyed at their concern for her. She spoke and opened them. “I’ve managed clubs, bars bigger than Gables before and you have to have proof that something shady is going on before you bring in the cops or whomever. I watched and I listened.”
“And?” Ivan asked, teeth clenched.
“The guy gave that address you said. Broadway and 5th and said the gate would be unlocked by the back entrance or something, and I think I heard him say drugs but not sure.”
Dante now cursed in Russian and Ivan shook his head.
“You hear this and say nothing to Lucca, to me?” Ivan raised his voice at her.
“Why would I after all the other stupid crap that happened tonight? I mean I come to work and Lucca is saying that he heard I hooked up with Maloney and Maloney had his tongue down my throat, then I’m being whisked off the moment the guy gets there and my wrist is all bruised and I’m annoyed and in pain and just want to work and make money. Then you appear upstairs and play your head games then bring me downstairs and I realize what you did and why, and it isn’t that I don’t appreciate that Ivan, but you did make me feel like shit. So when I’m working and then Vincent offers me a job at his club, and I feel a little better and like working a lot will pull me out of the nonsense, I see Berin doing his shady crap. I’m accused of being a slut like other women, and spreading my legs for made men, and being talked down upon and I’m done Ivan. Freaking done! By the time he threatens me I’ve had it. So I’m not willing to start making accusations or pissing off anyone who may or may not be related to the multitude of big shots I’m supposed to show respect for. That’s why I kept my mouth shut.” She said and then growled and moaned being in pain from raising her voice and talking a mile a minute.
“Holy shit.” Roman said but Dante snickered. “She needs discipline, cousin.”
Ivan stood up. “Do you know names of the men who got the slips of paper?” he asked her, almost pacing he was so fired up right now.
She narrowed her eyes at him and he stared at her.
“You’re on thin ice Annabella, so don’t leave anything out.” Ivan said.
“I’m not positive.” She replied as if still being worried about accusing someone who could be innocent.
“Annabella, we aren’t going to just go beat the crap out of people, we need evidence, and need to question them. Were there any names you could remember, maybe something from the club?” Commerce calmly asked her and Ivan glared at him and then at her. She frustrated him. He hurt her feelings and this, he wasn’t used to.
“Maybe Roc, or Rocky.”
“Rocco?” Dante asked her.
“Yes, that’s it and he was with two other guys, Smith or –
“Smitt?” Roman asked.
“I think so.”
“Pick them up and get what you can out of them and Berin.” Ivan ordered and his men started to leave the room. Dante, Roman, Mirnon and Rogan remained.
“They had help. You know that Ivan.” Dante said to him.
“Of course, and we will handle it accordingly.”
“The police you mean?” Annabella asked him.
He held her gaze, eyes narrowed, and shook his head. “We don’t use cops when someone betrays the family. We take care of things from within. You rest Annabella. When you are better we’ll go over some things so you understand exactly what I expect from you.”
Chapter Seven
Louisa awoke to her phone ringing. She glanced at the caller I.D. instantly more awake as the time was, 4:00 a.m. Why would Annabella be calling her? Why wasn’t she home yet?
“Hello?” She answered.
“It’s Sokolov. Annabella is with me.”
“What’s wrong? Why isn’t she calling me?”
“There was a situation tonight at the club. She’s okay, I’m handling things. She’ll call you later at a decent hour.”
“Is she okay or is she hurt?”
“No questions Louisa. I called you specifically knowing you would understand when I say she is safe with me and things are being handled. She’ll call when she can.”
