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“Stephen Maguire and Maverick O’Hara,” Kelvin says. “They also have information on some of the high-profile clients of Marco’s.”
“We’ll go to the office,” Jade offers. “That way, we can all work together and get this shit done. It also means there’ll be enough men guarding us, so our husbands won’t lose their minds when they have to leave.”
“That sounds good. I’ve got the majority of my notes there,” I say as I rise to my feet.
I see the wariness enter Dario’s eyes. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” he says, a pained expression etched on his face. “At least here, I know you’re safe.”
Rocco nods in agreement. “This apartment complex has the best security, and our men are here. We know you and Teagan are safe.”
I press my lips together. He’s purposely keeping Jade’s name out of that. She’d rebel against the need to have someone protect her. As the underboss, she’d want to face everything head on.
“My office is also secure. You can have a man or two guarding it if it would make you feel at ease,” Kelvin says, his tone hard. No doubt hating the implication that it’s otherwise. He rises to his feet and fixes the buttons on his suit jacket. He always looks smart. I think it’s the British in him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not wearing a suit.
Dario and Elio share a look, one I can’t decipher. It annoys the hell out of me that I can’t, but after a moment, Dario turns to Kelvin and gives him a tight nod. “If anything happens to her, Kelvin, I’m holding you personally responsible.”
“I assure you, Dario, that Portia will be safe at the offices,” Kelvin says. “I’ve got to go. I’ll be meeting with my men and getting them to work on the Cooney Hotel aspect, and to see if we can uncover any frequent stayers.”
“We’ll go to the offices now,” I say. “No doubt the Gallo’s have things they need to do.” Not to mention, I can’t stand the tension between both Dario and Kelvin. I just wish they’d get along. It would make my life a whole lot easier.
Dario keeps my hand in his as we exit my apartment. I know he’s worried, and I even understand that the closer we get to uncovering what’s going on with the trafficking ring, the more danger we’ll be in, but he needs to understand that I can look after myself. I have been doing it for a long time. It’s hard to let someone else in to protect me, but I trust Dario and know that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep me safe.
When we get in the car, I run my hand along his knuckles as he stares out of the window, his jaw clenched. “I’m going to be okay,” I whisper so only he can hear me.
“I know. I just hate that we’re so close and I’m leaving your safety in the hands of people I don’t know or trust,” he tells me, and I can hear the anguish in every syllable.
“What do you have planned?” I ask, hoping to get him talking about something other than me being alone.
“We’ll be speaking with the Pakhan of the Bratva. Turgenov must have something he left behind. Maybe someone else within the Bratva that he trusted. We’re going to find out. I promise you, Portia, we’re going to fucking find out when these bastards are going to have the auction. We’re going to uncover who every player involved is, and we’re going to make them pay.”
I lean my head against his shoulder. “I know,” I whisper. “I just hope the women are going to be okay.” I dread to think what they’re going through. I can only imagine the pain and suffering they’ll be dealt, especially as I know what kind of man Marco Scaffidi is. He’s a monster, and he treats everyone he deems less than him—i.e., women—as a slave and as someone who is to do his bidding, just as he did to my mama.
“I know, baby, but some of these women were taken months ago. They’ll have been subjected to brutality.”
I swallow the bile that rises through my throat. “I’m worried about Jamie.” I can’t stop thinking about what she could be going through.
“Don’t borrow trouble, Portia,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him. “We’ve just got to work hard at finding out the little details so we can put a stop to it. The last thing we want to do is spook anyone because then we’ll lose what power we’ve gained. They’ll change the location of the auction, and we’ll never know where they’ll be. They’ll tighten their reins and close ranks.”
Fuck. Why are these assholes such bastards?
“But we’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he tries to assure me. But I have a sickening feeling in my stomach. I don’t know if we’ll make it in time. I really don’t.
I’ve been running the software that Robert invented—or more likely stole from some high-tech intelligence agency. We’re able to type in a name and it brings up everything about them. Pictures, cell numbers, and even their calendars. It’s going to take some time to work through it all to uncover the exact information we need, but with the pictures we’re finding, we’re running the facial recognition software that he also has—again, something I have no doubt he stole—and running their information too.
“Portia?” I hear a surprised, deep voice call out as I’m deep in working through the list of names and pictures I have uncovered. “Portia Leone?”
That shocked voice sounds so familiar that it makes my heart hurt. I raise my head, my gaze colliding with the deepest brown eyes I’ve ever seen, eyes that remind me of home. “Amadeo,” I whisper.
His eyes fill with tears as he nods, pressing his hand to his chest. “Yes. God, Portia, you look so much like your mother,” he says softly. “How is she?”
I shake my head, swallowing back the tears. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in over five years.”
His eyes widen, and his lips part. “You h-haven’t?” he stammers. “W-why?”
I sigh, not wanting to get into this. “That’s for another day,” I tell him.
“The boss wants me here, watching you,” he tells me as he straightens his shoulders and gives me a blinding smile, his words filled with pride.
I return his smile. “Like old times,” I say wistfully.
