Page 24 of His Savage Bride
“If this Sizemore prick is anything like our prospects, he’ll practically live at the clubhouse. He’ll have to. They’ll have himdoing all the shit jobs that go into running the place. I’ll get someone out there to keep an eye out, and if he’s there, we can go tonight. If my plan comes together, we’ll have him by midnight.”
I open my desk drawer and retrieve one of my cards. “My cell,” I tell them as I slide the card across the desk. “Call me as soon as he’s ready. If you don’t mind keeping him at your place, I’ll come over and retrieve him first thing tomorrow morning, assuming everything goes according to plan. Either way, let me know if you need any of my resources or if I can help in any way.”
Reggie takes the card as Eddie waves a hand dismissively. “Grabbing this kid is a little more complicated than just a hit, but not by much. This isn’t our first rodeo, Mr. Luciani,” Eddie assures me.
“Especially since we hope to earn further business with you,” Billy adds. “It’s always a pleasure to work with professionals. You can imagine, a lot of our jobs are small time, personal projects.”
“This is a very personal project for me, gentlemen. But it’s certainly not a small one. I appreciate your help,” I tell them as I get to my feet. “Please, let me walk you back out. Again, if you need anything or have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call me.”
I walk them to the elevators and shake hands with each of them again as we say our goodbyes. Once I’ve seen them off, I take a moment to check my cell, then turn back to Renee. “Let me know when my two o’clock arrives, please,” I say as I walk back towards my office.
“Of course, Mr. Luciani!” she calls after me cheerfully.
I sit back down at my computer and begin going through the day-to-day emails that accumulate from the heads of each of the departments here at the office. I’ve streamlined the business to the point where mostly I just go through earnings reports detailing each department’s expenses and remaining profits. Ireply to a few concerns my CFO who oversees our gambling enterprises has regarding some upcoming sporting events, but otherwise, spend the next hour moving money into different accounts.
I do take a moment to send a text to Trenton just to check in.Everything going all right at the hospital?I ask him.
We’re cool, he replies just a moment later.When do you want us to come back and round you up?
Whenever Constance is ready. Don’t rush her. Let me know when you’re on the way,I text back.
Will do, he responds instantly.
“I’ve got to replace her cell phone this afternoon,” I grumble as I toss mine down on my desk.
Once my e-mails are caught up, I spend a few minutes scrolling through a few websites until my office line rings again. “Yes?” I answer immediately.
“Mr. Luciani, your two o’clock, Mr. Bianchi, is here,” Renee informs me.
“I’m on my way,” I reply before disconnecting the call. I feel a faint tremble of unease in my guts, which isn’t entirely unexpected. The last time I spoke with Salvatore Bianchi was when he brought Kirill Volkov before me.
“Salvatore,” I greet the older man when I walk into the lobby.
“Good afternoon, Maximo,” he replies as he holds his hand out to me. As I take it for a shake, I can’t help but notice that his normally immaculate white beard appears disheveled, and he looks as though he hasn’t slept. He normally has bags under his eyes, as a man his age often does, but today they’re darker and more pronounced. Unexpectedly, he’s alone.
“Come on back to my office,” I invite him to follow me with a sweep of my arm. Once I’ve closed the double doors to my office behind us, I point to the coffee service and the whiskey carafe sitting on my desk. “May I offer you a drink?”
“The whiskey, please,” Salvatore replies. “The last day has been quite difficult for me, and I could use something bracing.”
“I confess I was uncertain what could cause you to reach out to me so urgently,” I tell him as I pour him a glass and set it at the edge of my desk, inviting him to sit with a gesture. I walk around the desk and take my seat. “What’s happened, Salvatore?”
“It’s Irina Volkov, Maximo. She blames me for turning Kirill over to you, even though it was her own brother, Alexei, who surrendered Kirill to me. She’s determined to get back at both of us, and I need your help dealing with her.”
“I suspect she’s already made a move against me,” I tell him. “Yesterday, several men tried to abduct Constance while she was away from me, having dinner with a friend. They were unsuccessful. While Constance was able to escape them, I don’t doubt that she’ll try something else. I’m already taking steps to try and track down everyone who’s involved.”
“Good.” Salvatore gulps down the whiskey in his glass and sets the tumbler back on my desk. “That is very good. I imagine they underestimated your lady friend when they tried to take her. That woman has more fight in her than many men I’ve known. More than my own son, I fear.”
“What’s happened, Salvatore? Has Irina made a move against your family?” I ask him.
“Have I ever told you that my youngest son attends Juilliard? My Gregory is a musical prodigy. He can play anything, anything at all. He just picks up an instrument and the how of it comes to him, like that.” Salvatore snaps his fingers. “You may not believe me. You may think I’m just a proud father, filled with braggadocio. But it’s true. Of all my children, he’s the most gifted.”
I want to ask where this conversation is going when Salvatore falls silent, but I give him time as he pours himself anotherglass. After taking a sip, he continues. “I tell you this, so you’ll understand why I’ve come to you. Gregory texted me yesterday morning before his classes, but since then, I’ve heard nothing from him. Late last night, I got a call from his phone. It was Irina Volkov.”
“I’m sorry, Salvatore,” I tell him sincerely when he falls silent. “Did she offer you any terms?”
“Yes.” Salvatore shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “She wants me to deliver you to her, the way I delivered Kirill to you.”
“And yet instead of working with her to ambush me, you’re here, talking it over. What are you doing, Salvatore?”
