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I relay Sansone’s request. After a lot of back and forth, Omari agrees to take on the project. But Omari leaves me with a question I haven’t asked myself or taken the time to consider.
Tech Bro: Why are you fighting so hard for him?
I tap the phone against my leg. Although I don’t have an answer, helping him gives me a sense of satisfaction similar to when I rescue children from traffickers. It feels too good to worry about, so I send Omari a shrug emoji and leave the stall.
Outside, Aurelio meets me with suspicion but doesn’t comment on the time I took. In the next store, I find what I’m looking for.
Although Max has forced her friendship on me, I rarely gift her anything. However, I’d never seen her so spiritless as when she told me about her problems. After so many years, I can’t deny she’s been a constant presence of positivity in my life and she deserves something to show I care.
I hope she doesn’t blow my generosity out of proportion.
CHAPTER 23
Sansone
Sobs echo through the empty building. What was once a luxuriously appointed brothel, an anonymous enemy ransacked. All the whores disappeared, and my security… Dead.
“How is it you are the lone survivor?” I ask the weeping accountant at my feet.
“I d-d-don’t know. Whoever d-d-did this came when I went for lunch. Everything was quiet, I swear.”
I breathe in deeply, grasping for a patience I have in short supply. “Walk me through your day.”
I listen with half an ear while Jamal continues questioning the man. Mattia stands close by as a gatekeeper to reduce the chaos surrounding us. When it becomes clear we won’t get any useful information out of the man, I take Jamal and Mattia out while dictating orders in a low voice only they can hear.
“Have someone tail him. He has a lot of knowledge about the finances of this business. If someone paid him to walk away, I want to know who they are.”
“If I find he’s dirty, want me to handle him?” Jamal asks.
“Yes, but I want to watch. You need to make an example out of him.” I reach my ride and open the door before Mattia can.
“Do you think it’s the same people that hit the warehouse?” Mattia asks as he climbs into the vehicle after me.
“Possible.” I wind the window down and motion for Jamal to approach the car. “Find out who the women were close to. See if anyone new came around or if someone hassled them.”
“Will do…”
I study Jamal, alerted by his hesitation. “What’s on your mind?”
“The footage on the security cameras was deleted. It reminds me of the warehouse. When you add the missing file, I can’t help feeling targeted.”
“I agree. Only a handful of people know the accountant stored the file here. Find me answers.” I wind up the window and set off.
Although the fate of the women concerns me, the file holds more weight. It is a client list comprising powerful moguls, politicians, and world leaders who have enjoyed the services my whores provide in exchange for favors. It’s the kind of leverage money can’t buy, and someone has taken it.
I must have gotten soft after the failed Ghost Six takeover, but I’m a fucking DeLuca. No one takes what’s mine and lives to profit from it.
Jinx and Zakiya have given me strange looks since returning home. I can’t blame them. My day hasn’t improved since learning of another enterprise being hit. Despite my foul mood, I try to keep things light for Jinx.
After dinner, I take her to the playroom while Zakiya disappears. I watch my daughter flit from one toy to another, silently entertaining herself. One day I hope to hear what herlaughter sounds like, but at least I can satisfy myself that she’s safe and being cared for.
I know I’ve failed in hiding the things weighing on my mind when Jinx hands me her stuffed bear. If she did it with a smile, I would have taken her gesture less to heart. However, her eyes were wide and pleading as if worried I would snap at her.
“Are you worried about your papa?” I ask as I take the ugly toy with more reverence than I would a bible.
She nods and signs the words for boo-boo out of sight, then points at me.
Her observation is somewhat accurate, but her choice of words says more about her experiences than mine, and my heart aches at another reminder of the hardships she endured before finding me.
