AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can’t begin to imagine how this has been for you,” he said earnestly, swallowing back his emotion. “I’m just grateful I was on the beach at the right time. I told Bianca it was fate. I still believe that.”
“Yes, it must have been,” Ariana murmured.
“Now I must go, but we’ll speak again soon.”
“Goodbye, Nicholas,” Lorenzo interjected. “Get in touch at any time, whatever you need, I’ll get it for you.”
As the call ended, Nick leaned back his head and let out a breath. All he had to do now was let things crinkle out.
* * *
A short distance away, Big Mike was cruising the canyon roads in search of the black Ford Explorer, but most of the expensive homes had high fences, closed garages, and electric gates. He was at a loss when a Porsche Macan drove toward him. The conversation he’d overheard when he was crouched by the window at Nick Vincelli’s beach house flashed through his mind.
Pack up our stuff, put it in my Porsche, and drive up there.
Breaking into a broad grin, and keeping watch in his rearview mirror, he waited until the SUV had followed a bend in the road, then peeled rubber as he did a U-turn and accelerated after him.
Moments later, he spotted the luxury SUV stopped in front of high wrought-iron gates. As they swung open, he slowed to a crawl and studied the single-story home, then his heart sank as he spied the security cameras. Driving slowly forward, he discovered the wall surrounding the property was covered in thick, thorny bougainvillea. Rescuing the beautiful Bianca would not be easy.
CHAPTER18
After finishing with Lorenzo and Ariana, Nick called Brad to tell him about the helicopter that would soon be arriving to pick up Roland’s body. As they were talking, Nick noticed John pulling up to the gates. They swung open, but as the Porsche Macan drove forward, Nick noticed a black sedan moving slowly past the driveway.
“I hope the copter gets here quick,” Brad continued as Nick watched the car drive away and the gates close. “I just found out the rockslide has been cleared enough to open a single lane in about an hour.”
“If Roland hasn’t been picked up in thirty minutes, let me know and I’ll get back in touch with Albertini,” Nick replied, though his mind was still on what he’d just seen.
“Hey, Nick, can I ask how you managed to get through to him? Lorenzo Albertini wouldn’t be the easiest man to reach.”
“Sure, you can ask, but the answer is classified.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
“Brad, I have to go,” Nick said hastily. “John just arrived.”
“Okay, I’ll keep you posted.”
As John climbed from the car, Nick helped him carry the bags into the guest room, then quickly closed the door. “John, did you notice anyone following you?”
“No, but something weird happened when I arrived. No one was behind me leaving the beach or as I drove through the canyon, but about half a mile from here, I passed a car. I mean, it was coming toward me. When I pulled up at the gates I saw it in my rearview mirror. Whoever it was must have done a U-turn.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Neither do I, and it was too late to do anything, I’d already pulled into the drive. I did get the plate number though.”
“Good work, John.”
“Unfortunately it’s out of Vegas.”
“Fuck,” Nick grunted. “Call Cindy on your way back and ask her to run it and send me the info.”
“Will do.”
“Also, there’s a helicopter on its way to pick up Roland’s body.”
“There is?”
“Yeah, I was able to reach Lorenzo Albertini, but don’t ask me how. Brad knows, and I want you there as well. As soon as it’s done, both of you come back here. This house is secure but I might need you. That car was no coincidence.”
