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“Not this girl. I would bet my life I’m right. And there’s Lucas to consider. I can’t imagine him idly sitting by and doing nothing to find his sister. No, my gut tells me that Marco did something to her, or she knows of something he did, and now she’s on the run because he doesn’t want any secrets getting out. He doesn’t care about this girl. No, he’s trying to save himself from getting a knife to the throat. Let’s see what the old man has to say.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,”
“I always know, Edric, and now you get to witness it firsthand because he’s on his way up.” I pointed to the screen and watched Marco pace in the elevator.
Kaz opened my door and led him inside my office. “Right on time, Marco. Take a seat,” I said, pointing to one of the two chairs in front of my desk.
“I’m here to continue our conversation where you suggested my daughter as payment for your services. What is going through your head to suggest such a thing right now?”
“What’s in yours, Marco? I can see that you’ve had time to consider my offer. But here’s what I don’t know, and that’s why you want her back so badly? The patriarchal act you are trying so hard to make me believe is ridiculous.”
“I did tell you the truth; she’s my daughter, and I want her home.”
“Yeah, tell me another lie, and I may just cut your tongue from your lying mouth. I’m growing tired of this evasiveness, Marco. You either tell me what I want to know or get out. You can try to figure out how you will find your precious daughter, but by the time you do, she will be warming my bed.” I pressed a hidden button, and before Marco could react, Edric’s men had surrounded the former mob boss.
“Okay, I will tell you the truth!” he shouted. I gestured to Edric, and he released his team but strolled over slowly to stand behind me, staring directly at Marco. His behavior here today has confirmed what I already suspected—he has no power and fears Lucas, the real boss in charge.
“She took something of mine, and I want it back. Once it’s returned, she’s all yours.”
“What could be so valuable that you’re willing to offer her up as collateral?”
“She’s young, reckless, and sometimes she reacts before thinking clearly, like on the night she ran from her family.”
“Go on,” I said.
“For most of her life, I kept her identity a secret. Her years at school were in secret, with limited visits home. It would be easier if fewer people knew of her existence. Women are considered a weakness, and threats to our family are nothing new. After my wife died, Lucas was consumed with rage, leading him to kill every last one of our enemies he blamed for his mother’s death. Of course, he was successful, but his revenge created new obstacles for the family. Over the years, I had to do my part to protect it, not always making the best decisions. I made a bad deal with the Russians, and the outcome was catastrophic.”
“Lucas is out of the country but will return in a matter of days, hoping to find his sister back home. The night she ran, Iwas dealing with an unexpected problem away from the estate. Her guard believed she was up in her room asleep, all while preparing to run, taking something with her that belongs to me which can bring down the Santoro Family forever.”
“Okay, enough with the build-up, which will not take me long to confirm, so tell me what she took when she ran from you.”
“A music box. It belonged to my late wife.”
“A music box? Really?”
“It’s not just the box but what it represents.”
“And, that might be?”
“It’s all I have of my late wife. I need the music box returned as if my life depended on it.”
“Yes, I can hear and smell the desperation all over you. How you survived this long without a bullet to your pathetic soul beguiles me.”
“Fuck you, and you’re not here to judge me. Just get back what belongs to me because I’m finished with Sabina. My daughter has caused enough trouble for me. I wash my hands of her. Once I have the music box and its contents back in my possession, then she’s all yours.” He got up in a huff and charged to the door, but not before I stopped him from leaving. He turned around with a look of frustration because he knew better than to fuck with me.
“Marco, what you seem not to be able to understand is that Sabina is already mine and has been since you put her in my path. It’s a good story, and one I don’t believe for a fucking second. Men in your world don’t give up easily, no matter the reason or what they fear. In your case, it’s Lucas, right? Quite the web of lies you have weaved for yourself. How will you explain yourself when he returns and discovers what you’ve done? Be careful, Marco, because now you’re on my radar, and I don’t give up so easily, either. You remember that.” He said nothing more and stormed out the door.
Edric poured me a drink and one for himself. As he raised a glass to me, he said, “This is going to be a lot of fun,” and then downed his drink. “He is one lying sonofabitch. His story is full of gaps. Does he think he’s dealing with an amateur? And what about Lucas?”
“Let me worry about the big brother. His last location was Prague, right?”
“Yeah, up to two days ago. He’s due back in Italy by the end of the week.”
“Which leaves me less than three to get Sabina,”
“Boss, are you sure about this?” he questioned me.
“Absolutely! She’s in danger, and I don’t understand why, but I will. I must protect her.”
