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“Beppe, you’re with me. Have Leo finish the ordering. Call him from the car,” I instruct.
He doesn’t miss a step as he nods and turns on his heel. “On it, boss.”
“I’ll meet you at the office,” I tell Kelvin. “Who else are you bringing in on this?”
“As many as we can. I have two men flying over from Ireland. The Eraser and the Cleaner are coming.”
I chuckle. “You’ve got some connections there, Kelvin.”
The Eraser and the Cleaner are from the Houlihan Gang, from Dublin, Ireland. They’re both crazy fuckers, and they’re part of the Gallagher family in some weird-ass way. The moment those two step off the plane, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gallagher’s descend on Missouri, demanding to know what’s going on.
“I have connections from all walks of life,” he says, and I’m pretty sure there’s a threat somewhere in there.
“Good for you,” I mutter. “Now, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
I want to see Portia. I need to see with my own eyes that she’s okay. I can’t bear the thought of something happening to her.
I watch Portia’s feet pound the footpath as she runs toward the offices. She’s back in her homeless attire. I grit my teeth. Kelvin told me she was supposed to be in the offices today, not on the streets, so why the fuck is she dressed as though she’s been living on them?
I’m out of my car and following her into the office building.
“She’s gone,” I hear her cry. “Jamie was taken last night.”
“The fuck?” I hiss. I’ve done a fucking lot of research since Kelvin came to me this afternoon. Jamie has been living on the streets in shifts, which she split with Portia. Yet another fucking woman this asshole has put in danger by sending her onto the street.
Portia spins on her feet, her eyes wide, her lips parted. “Dario, what are you doing here?”
“Checking on you. Are you okay?”
She bites her lip, and I know she’s warring with herself. The last time she saw me, she told me to fuck off and check my ego. She told me she’s sick of having to listen to me bitch about Kelvin, and that I should trust her. She had seemingly pushed everything that happened away, she’d forgiven me and then I fucked it up after a night of passion. It was beyond the best night of my life. Then she got a call from Kelvin, and I lost my shit. I fucked everything up. Again.
I was an ass. I can admit that. But there’s just something about Kelvin that pushes me to the edge.
“Portia, what do you mean she’s been taken?” Kelvin questions.
She launches into telling us what the old man told her. I fucking owe that man a lot. He’s been watching out for her since she was on the streets. My men have been telling me that the moment she bunkers down for the night, the old man will swivel his bed so he’s blocking her from street view.
“Robert, take Deacon and Lewis with you. I want you to uncover what both Eli and Teddy have seen. It could help us find out where this arsehole is doing his dealings.”
The three men nod, each of them giving Portia a warm look before leaving the office building.
“Portia, today was your last day on the street. You won’t be returning. You’ve made your connections, so there’s no need to go back at night. If you do, you don’t go alone.”
Finally, he’s making some fucking sense.
“Go home,” he tells her. “Wash the grime off you and speak with Dario. Right now, we can’t do anything until the guys have some more information. I’ll call you once I have it.”
Thankfully, Portia doesn’t argue with him as she moves toward me. I don’t care if she doesn’t want my touch; I need to give her some tenderness. I pull her into my arms, and she sinks against me. “I’m smelly,” she says quietly, so only I can hear her.
“Don’t give a fuck,” I murmur back, pressing a kiss to her hair. “Let’s get you home. You’re riding with me. Beppe can bring your car back to you later.”
She nods, and I know that finding out her friend is missing has rocked her. My woman is fucking fierce, but when her friends and loved ones are in danger, it hits deep.
“Beppe, stay here and help Kelvin. If you need more help, call the men. I don’t give a fuck how many are needed; we’re putting all our resources into this. That fucker Marco should never have been alive after killing Davide. Had he been killed, this shit would have never happened. So, it’s down to us to bring that cunt down.”
Portia shudders in my arms, and I have no doubt it’s because I mentioned her father.
“Come on, baby, let’s get you home.”
