Page 31 of Wrecked By a Devil

“We’ll do our best,” Detective Salvatore nods.

Once we’re far enough from the bar, I slam my fist into the wall, causing my brother to jump backwards in surprise. I have no idea how I managed to keep my cool in there when all I wanted was to get out on the street and chase whoever is doing this.

“Calm down,” Malachi speaks. “We don’t need anyone witnessing your reaction.”

“How can I calm down when Eden is falling apart?” I hiss.

“The same way I’m keeping my cool,” Malachi’s eyes widen as he takes a step closer to me. “Leonardo Mancuso is waiting for us in the conference room. It’s bad enough that we made him wait and that we have two annoying detectives investigating our staff as we speak. You don’t want to get on his bad side and ruin the friendship between the Mancusos and the Kavanaghs.”

“You’re right,” I hate to admit it, but the family of the Italian Don and our family have been close friends for years. Ruining that now would be stupid. “But when I find out who is responsible for all of this, I will personally make sure they pay for it.”

“I have no doubt you will,” Malachi laughs, his laughter dry and just a little twisted. “For now, let’s see if Leonardo has experienced any similar problems at his club.”

As soon as I open the conference room door, Leonardo greets us with the familiar warm smile on his face.

“Ragazzi!”

“Leonardo,” I go in for a handshake so when he pulls me into a half-hug, for a moment I stiffen but then go through with it. Malachi seems to have a much easier time greeting our guest.

“It’s been a while, how have you been?” The funny part about all of this is that anyone seeing Leonardo would assume he’s an elementary school teacher, or maybe a professional chef. Out of all the mafia bosses I have crossed paths with in my life, Leonardo is the one that looks nothing like his role.

“Can’t complain,” I say. “No one’s managed to shoot me yet.”

But they did stab you.

“How’s Rome treating you?” Malachi cuts in, appalled by my joke. “I hear your flight was smooth.”

“Oh, as much as I love Italy, there is nothing like flying back to America,” He grins. “It pains me to admit it, but this has become my home.”

“Glad you’re happy to be back,” I lean in, my elbows resting on the round table in the conference room. “And I’m really glad you had time to drop by.”

“Anything for my favoriteragazzi!” He leans back in his chair, and then quickly adds. “Don’t tell your brothers I said that.”

“We won’t,” Malachi smiles politely.

“I hear some of your girls went missing.” Of course he was going to bring it up. Especially with the police on my ass, a man like Leonardo would never miss something so huge. “What’s that all about? Do you have any leads?”

“Nothing, unfortunately,” I reply. “But I’m hopeful that we will find whoever is responsible for it soon.”

“That’s one of the things we were hoping to discuss with you,” Malachi adds.

“But with the police involved, it’s not good,” Leonardo’s face is filled with genuine terror. “You must make sure to remain in charge. Don’t let them take over, there are more dirty cops in this town than honest criminals.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” I speak, pouring a glass of bourbon for myself and then handing the bottle to my brother. Leonardo already has a drink and the two men behind him, his bodyguards, don’t drink on duty. I don’t think I ever saw them show any emotion on their faces. I’m not even sure they’re human, and coming from me that says a lot.

“I’m taking care of that and making sure things remain in our control,” Malachi’s tone is confident and he takes a sip of his drink.

“Leonardo,” I say, leaning back with the drink in my hand even though I haven’t taken a sip yet. “I wanted to ask if anything similar has ever happened in one of your clubs over the years.”

Leonardo’s family has been in the business for a long time. If anyone had a similar experience, it would be him. Or at least, he might have heard about something like it.

“Do you think that this might be related to human trafficking?” Leonardo raises an eyebrow, intrigued.

“The thought has crossed my mind,” I admit. It wouldn’t be the first time those people go after strippers. Their job already puts them in a high-risk profile.

“Sorry,ragazzi,” Leonardo shakes his head. “I would love to have some useful information for you. But I never heard of anything like this happening at any of my clubs. Nor at my friends’ places.”

“Would you be willing to give us a call if you do hear something?” Malachi asks.