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“Thanks. You too,” I said casually, touching his clean-shaven cheek, as if the man didn’t look crazy hot in a tuxedo. “A drink sounds like a good idea. We can start with the bartender. They see all.”
The ballroom was the typical elegant affair. Shimmering chandeliers glittered high above us, casting a dream-like glow over the velvet furnishings set along the walls and the tables draped in white linens around the dance floor. Soft jazz music played, while a few couples danced, thoroughly enthralled with each other. In short, the Gala was the epitome of high society.
“Champagne, please,” I said to the bartender when he asked for my order.
“I’ll have a vodka martini, please.”
“I’ll be honest.” I pressed my body to Luca’s. “I have no idea where to start.”
“I have so many questions.” He put his hands on my waist. To anyone looking at us, they wouldn’t guess we were here to take down the place. “I realize now I didn’t know Ava at all. I can’t even get all high and mighty about it and be mad that she lied to me. I lied to her too. If she wanted money, I could’ve given her that.”
“Okay. Stop.” I put my hand over his mouth. “What happened to her is not your fault. You’ll get answers tonight.”
“I sure hope so.”
The bartender returned with our drinks. I pulled away from Luca and caught the bartender’s attention again before he left. “The last time I was here, I sort of made friends with a server working that night. She was so much fun. Is she here tonight?”
“Do you have a table reserved? I can make sure she helps you again tonight.”
“We do.” I pointed behind me. “Right over there.”
“What’s her name?”
“Ava Conti.”
His smile faded immediately. Next to me, Luca tensed up, as if he wanted to jump over the counter and grab the bartender by the collar to make him tell us everything he knew about Ava. I squeezed his hand, so he would continue to let me do the talking. Luca was way too close to this case to think rationally.
“Is she here?” I pretended I didn’t recognize the pain in his eyes.
“No.” He picked up a few dirty glasses and stuffed them behind the bar. “She doesn’t work here anymore.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” I sipped from my flute. “Did she get a better job?”
“Not sure.” He nodded. “Enjoy your drinks.”
“Thanks.” I turned to Luca, who looked like he was about to ask more questions. “Let’s dance.” I took his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.
“Did you see his face?” Luca whispered in my ear as we gently swayed to the music.
“He knew her. And he’s sad.” I held Luca closer. Every day that Ava’s murder remained a mystery, it was one more day that he had to re-hash everything that happened to her. “Maybe they were friends. I think we should wait until he takes a break to ask him more questions.”
“Agreed.” He guided me into a turn. “I’d like to know for sure if she knew Uncle Jimmy.”
The song ended. As the live band took their time to start the next set, Luca held me in his arms. I tried to remind myself that this outing wasn’t a date. It was a recon mission. Though that didn’t stop me from standing there with stars in my eyes, waiting for the next song to begin.
“Rex is here.” Luca took my hand and headed for our table in the back.
When Rex spotted us, he made a beeline toward us. “Anything?” He sat down and unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket. “There’s a game of poker happening on the second floor.”
“Did you figure out who owns this place?”
“Yes and no.”
After Luca told the guys everything he knew about Ava’s case and how I got tangled up with the Stag Club and their hunting season, we decided it would be best if we each had our own assignment.
Rex and Enzo were in charge of finding out who owned the club. If Don Gallo was behind this fucked-up business venture, I could take it to Aunt Vittoria and warn her about him. I hated the idea that me finally being with Luca meant her life was in danger.
Santino agreed to check with the staff, especially the women, to see if any of them were friendly with Ava. We needed to know why she had the ‘whore’ stamp the night she was killed. If she died because of their game, at least, Luca would know for sure that her death wasn’t his fault.
