Lobotomies and other things I didn’t want to save in my brain.
It was typical Victor style. I was sure he’d come up with the idea to use this place. Somewhere undetected and off radar. We wouldn’t have thought to look here because it wasn’t even in Chicago. We were in Pent Water Michigan. Well outside of our realms.
Something grabbed my attention when we got to the corridor with the steps leading to the first floor.
It was a shuffling noise. Could have been a rat, but I was sure I heard a whimper.
Maurice inched over. “Boss, you hear that?”
“I heard something.” I held my hand up for everyone to stop.
Raphael looked at me. “What why are we stopping?”
“Shhh.”
I cocked my head to Maurice, signaling for him and Saul to follow.
The noise came from that cupboard by the reception area. Looked like a coat closet.
I grabbed the handle and flung the door open. Someone ran out, bolted out more like, and ran straight past me. They looked back and held up their hand high but froze.
I could have cried tears of joy as I looked at Gigi. She was so covered in dirt and dust I could hardly see her face, and her hair was covered too.
“Luc!” she cried and came hurtling back, throwing herself into my arms.
I hugged her hard. “Gigi, God in heaven.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She shook and started crying.
When she eventually pulled away, Maurice took her.
“Doll.” His voice sounded so emotional I couldn’t believe it was him.
“I thought you died.” Gigi cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Nah, I’m like a cat. Got at least seven more lives left in me.”
Max and Sinclaire looked on, watching her. I wondered what they must have thought. Gigi was the nicest person ever, and here she was, fraternizing with mobsters.
When she saw them, she rushed to them too. “You guys. You—” Her voice trailed off when she looked over and saw Raphael.
These past days, I’d seen many sides to this man.
This side was the father who just wanted to get his daughter back.
In his eyes, Amelia was still his child. I understood completely. Gigi walked toward him, looking him over.
“You’re Amelia’s dad,” she observed.
“I am.” Raphael could barely talk.
“Your eyes. They’re just like hers.”
He nodded. “Where is she, Gigi?”
The look of angst on Gigi’s face caught and gripped me. I moved closer to hear her.
“She’s still up there on the fifth floor. We managed to escape the cell and hide, but she’s still up there. She sent me down here in a lift shaft. She was in an old medical room. They… came in after her. I wanted to stay and fight, but she made me go.”
