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“What do you mean, yes and no?” Luca leaned in and lowered his voice. “Someone has to be in charge of getting people to sign up to play their stupid game.”
“The whole place is run like a gentlemen’s club, like the Soho House. Except this place caters to different tastes. The buy-in is a million dollars. And it’s by invitation only. Don Gallo is definitely a member. But that doesn’t prove he’s the one running the trafficking ring.”
“It’s a start.” I shrugged. “Maybe Enzo found out more. All we have so far is that Nathan wasn’t lying when he said Ava worked here.”
“The bartender keeps looking this way. Do you need another drink? Maybe he has more to say to us.” Luca waited until I finished my drink then grabbed my glass and left.
The moment he was gone, I punched Rex in the shoulder.
“What the hell?” He glared at me. “What did I do now?”
“I haven’t seen you in a year, you jerk. What is it with you? Santino told me you don’t talk to him anymore.”
“I have school. Projects. I’m busy.” He waved his hand in dismissal.
I studied his profile, while I considered if I should let it go or poke a little more. In my experience dealing with Enzo and his grief over Aurora’s death, I knew the answer was to push a little. After Rex couldn’t save Aurora from the fire, he disappeared for almost a year. When he returned, he was the shell of the friend he used to be. Santino mentioned that he ran into him at a local bar in Philly. Rex was drunk, saying something about how Aurora was dead for real because of him.
“I get that Enzo’s mood is bringing up a lot of bad memories from our senior year. But Rex, I’m still your friend. And I love you. If you need to talk about what happened, I’m here. And also.” I stopped talking when he glared at me. Shit, this had to be what Santino meant when he said Rex was gone, that it was impossible to talk to him or even be his friend. “What happened to Aurora is not your fault.”
“What do you know about what happened to Aurora? Hmm? You weren’t there.” He swallowed.
“Except I was there. No one in their right mind could’ve gone into that fire to save her. Rex.” I scooted closer to him and hugged him. “Promise you’ll come and visit.”
“Donata.” He pulled back to look at me. “Enzo is right.”
As soon as he said Enzo’s name, Enzo strode in looking like he’d seen a ghost. Santino joined him at the door, then pointed toward our table. When Luca saw them sauntering toward us, he waved to the bartender and came to join us too.
“Omigod, Enzo. What happened?” I asked.
“He went off-script. I found him having a nice chat with another member.” Santino met my gaze. “He was looking for Aurora.”
I took in a deep breath, doing my best not to shower him with pity. We’d had this conversation before. “Enzo, you promised.”
“That I would stop looking for her? I never said I would. This mansion feels like a good place to keep someone hidden.” He raked both hands through his hands. “If she’s afraid to come back, this would be a good place to hide. Don’t you think?”
“Okay.” Now wasn’t the time to remind him that Aurora had died in the fire two years ago. And not only that, but we also weren’t here to investigate her death. We were here for Ava. “What did you find out?”
“She came here with her father. More than once. The waitress remembers her picture because Aurora’s dad kept making the same joke all night, asking how much virgins were going for.” He clenched his jaw. “I swear that guy deserved a worse end than the one he got.”
“So the old king’s right-hand man was here? Why?” Rex asked.
“He was here as a guest of Don Gallo.” Enzo sat back in his chair. “The waitress thinks he was here to sell his daughter.”
Well, fuck. I had no idea coming here would bring all that up. During our senior year, Aurora’s dad spent a great deal of his time looking for a husband for Aurora. In the end, Angelo paid for her. He paid then burned her family alive. Why did Enzo have to go and ask about her? He had been doing so well. Now I could see he was back to square one.
Luca took my hand in his under the table. “Are we ready to call it a night?”
No, I wasn’t ready to give up, but he was right. We had nothing to go on. Don Gallo was a member here and he liked to invite friends over. That was all we had on him, which was the same as nothing.
“Yeah, let’s go home.” I nodded.
Luca rose to his feet first then offered me his hand. A quick glance toward the entrance, and his mood turned several shades darker. I followed his line of sight to find Nathan in all his pompous glory, looming over a woman, who looked absolutely terrified. Whatever Nathan was unhappy about, he was putting the blame on her.
“This asshole again.” Luca let go of my hand and made to go after him.
“Stop.” I reached for him, giving Rex, Enzo and Santino a meaningful look to help me keep Luca in check. “Last time you went after him, you landed in jail.”
“Really?” Santino cocked an eyebrow.
