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“Good.” I hoped that they got the message this time. Finding new men was tiresome. Changing the conversation, I asked, “Do any of you know about a group that has been operating in the shadows? We need to find out about them as they have been causing chaos in the family’s business.”
“For the price you pay us, Mr. Romano, we’ll do as you’ve asked and all shipments will arrive intact,” Gregory Serafina spoke up. “I personally haven’t heard of any other groups, but if information comes my way, I’ll let you know immediately, sir.”
“Very good and thank you. Human trafficking is one of the lowest forms of making money. It takes away others’ free will, and I won’t allow anyone I work with to be associated with that type of work. The scum last night found out that I don’t play around with those sorts of things.
“I’m not above being a touch on the evil side myself, so just know that I’ll hunt down your families and make them pay for your actions if I found out that any of you are involved in something like that. Do I make myself clear?”
All three nodded vigorously and swallowed a couple of times.
Gregory spoke. “Yes, sir. Completely clear. We don’t deal in human trafficking and will alert you if anything comes to our attention.”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
I left the meeting feeling much better about the state of our shipping enterprises.
CHAPTER11
Bria
I’d been leftin a room with a girl who was clearly terrified. When Luciano was in the room her eyes bounced around, never staying on him for too long, but with me she stared at me straight on. She was huddled in a chair as far in the corner as it would go. Her body trembled with small shakes and twitches from time to time, as she kept her arms wrapped around her legs and her head rested on her knees.
“Have you had anything to eat?” I waited for an answer, but she was too terrified to speak.
I took small steps across the room and kept my hands up so she could see I had nothing in them. Taking a seat across from her, I decided to reintroduce myself.
“I’m Bria Montrelli, the fiancée of the man that found you. You’re safe with us. We’re only keeping you here until we’re sure that the people that took you are brought to justice. I just want to help you.” I spoke with a gentleness that she probably hadn’t had in a while.
“What’s your name?” I knew they’d gotten that much out of her, but it would help to build a rapport if she told me herself.
“Elana,” she whispered, hugging her knees tighter.
“Are you hungry, Elana?”
Elana looked too scared to even answer.
Even though I’d just finished lunch, I hadn’t eaten much since there was so much tension surrounding the meal. I could definitely eat again. “If I order some lunch, would you eat with me?” It also wouldn’t hurt me to be preoccupied along with her. It might help her ease up and eat a good fill of food. God knew she hadn’t had a decent meal in who knew how long.
Elana nodded.
“Just a sec.” I got up and went to the door. I was tempted to ask her what she would want to eat, but then realized the decision making might be too much for her. She’d had years without choices, so for now, we would make her feel safe to gain the confidence to make decisions.
“Hey, can you order some lunch brought up here for the two of us, please?” I asked the guard.
“Now,” I turned back to her. “When was the last time that you were able to take a shower or even just change clothes?”
She bit her lip, and closed in on herself even more. I didn’t think that would’ve been possible. “It’s been a while,” she whispered.
I couldn’t wait for Luciano to figure who these bastards were. I hoped he’d let me have a little fun with them. I would make them suffer tremendous pain before I was through with them.
“It’s okay to tell me, Elana. I’m here to help you. We’re going to get you some clean clothes and if you feel comfortable taking a shower, then I’ll be here to guard the door for you.” I wanted to keep using her name, to help her start getting her identity back. “Let me get some clothes sent up here, then if you want to take one, you can. If not, then they’ll be here for when you’re ready. Okay?”
Elana was picking at the hem of the shirt she was wearing. Everything about her screamed upset and terrified to me.
“Would it help if I was in the restroom with you? I have a gun so you’ll be completely safe.” I couldn’t tell her there weren’t any bullets in it, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from making progress.
“Can I lock the door while you guard it for me?” Elana asked in a low voice.
“Absolutely. I’ll make sure that you feel safe.” I smiled at her and went back over to the door.
