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For a moment, I think she’s going to pull away. I need to give her something. “There was some chatter that Lazaro might have been involved in that officer's death. But that's not why I'm asking, not really."
She arches a brow at me, clearly not wanting to believe me, but she’s not leaving. "Then why are you asking?"
“Please. Sit.”
She looks toward the door of the restaurant, but if there’s one thing I know about Lana, she wants to find her brother. She sits, but she crosses her arms.
I lean in, lowering my voice. "I think there might be a connection between that incident and Lazaro's disappearance."
Her eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"
"An officer is killed near one of your properties. Then Lazaro vanishes without a trace. It's possible these events are related."
Lana's brow furrows as she processes this information. “You’re saying Lazaro killed him. And if that was the case, it could mean a cop took Lazaro in retaliation.”
It’s a theory I reluctantly have to consider. “I have no evidence that Lazaro killed him. It’s possible he saw or knew something. The person who killed the cop could be the one who kill—took Lazaro. It's just a theory. But it's one avenue we haven't explored yet. I was hoping you might have some insight."
Lana leans back, her gaze distant as she considers this new possibility. “You said the cop was killed four years ago?”
I nod, noting that she doesn’t seem to know about Peter’s father’s murder. It’s a relief. The idea that she knows about it, was a part of it, would make me sick.She’s a Mafia princess, I remind myself.
“Lazaro disappeared three years ago. That’s a year apart.” She dismisses the idea.
“Someone could have bided their time.”
She scoffs. “Not in my world.”
I wonder if she realizes she’s given me information about the inner workings of the Mafia. They're not patient.
“And why kidnap him? Why not just kill him outright?"
I shrug, trying to appear casual. "Maybe they wanted information. Or maybe they wanted him to suffer, to feel the same loss they did."
Lana's eyes flash with something… anger? Fear? But then her mask of composure slips back into place. "It's an interesting theory, but it's all speculation, isn't it?"
“Yes, but that’s how this works. We have to come up with theories based on what we know and look for answers that confirm or disprove.”
“And you think I have information about this?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”
She bites her lip and looks into her wine. “If we do find Lazaro, what then? Are you going to arrest my brother?"
I meet her eyes. "First, I have no reason to arrest him as I have no proof he’s committed a crime. Right now, I'm more interested in the truth. One step at a time."
Lana sits back, considering my words, conflict playing out behind her amber eyes. She wants to find Lazaro more than anything. I admire her dedication to him. It’s proof that even those who engage in criminal activities have hearts. I’m curious what they tell themselves to justify their illegal acts. It also has me wondering just how involved Lana is in the family business. She works in the office where they run legitimate businesses, but is it just a cover? Is she actively involved in the illegal activities or just on the periphery?
As I wait for Lana’s response to my inquiry about what she might know about Lazaro’s involvement with Peter’s father’s death, I have an urge to take her away from all this. To save her from what her family involvement can lead her to, prison or death. Oh, who am I kidding? I want her away from her family because it’s the one complication that makes my attraction to her wrong. But her devotion to her missing brother tells me that I don’t stand a chance.
13
LANA
I’m in a tug-of-war with myself and I hate it. I desperately want answers to Lazaro’s disappearance, and Henry is offering to help. But can I trust him? Is this all an elaborate ploy to gain information on my family? Even if it isn’t, I’d still be risking inadvertently divulging information that he could use against us. My being here, reconsidering this deal, is madness. Under any other circumstance, I’d laugh and walk away. So, why am I still here?
Henry.
There’s an air of authenticity about him that taps something deep in me. Not that he wouldn’t put me in jail, given the evidence, but I also think he’s sincere in wanting to find Lazaro and solve the case.
