“My darling wife found something interesting.” Luca comes to stand behind Ara and places his hands on her shoulders, and she holds up a picture of the biological sister of Andrei Popov. “She might seem harmless, but there’s a unique connection.”
While holding up the photo, Ara says, “I’ve seen this woman before. A few months ago, when we stopped by Romi’s apartment for an intervention, the girls and I found her trying to steal a lamp.” My hands curl into fists at the assumption that this was another one of Romi’s lovers, and I don’t take kindly to the thought of my woman with anyone else, even if in the past.
“I thought it was strange at the time. But maybe it wasn’t the lamp she was after. We let ourselves into the apartment, after all, so it all seemed rather sudden, but maybe she was after something else? It can’t be a coincidence that she was in Romi’s apartment, and she’s somehow connected to this group. Romi probably has no idea about her involvement, but maybe she knows where to find her?”
Izak speaks next. “We already tried her home address, but it doesn’t look like anyone’s lived there for months, and she suddenly handed in her notice at her job a month ago. She’s tried to go off-grid.”
Well, isn’t that interesting.
“I have a rough idea,” I say, trying to keep the acid from my tone. “There’s a bar Romiusedto frequent to pick up her lovers in. Could be a strong chance that’s where she found this woman.”
Ara’s eyes light up. “Of course, the bar. I didn’t even think about that.”
It grates on my nerves that her friends are accustomed to her regular pickup game, which they’ll quickly learn is no longer a thing. Over my dead body.
I lick my split lip in an attempt to hide my lost calm. “I’ll ask Romi if she recalls this woman, though I doubt it.” I sound spiteful, so I tack on, “But hopefully, she recalls some detail that will lead us to the source.” I take out my phone and call her.
Ara and Luca share a silent exchange, and I notice the way Ara tries not to smile as he reluctantly looks away. It’s not only them who watch me when discussing Romi; my brother regards me intently as well. He probably thinks this is all still a joke, that I have some ulterior motive.
We wait patiently as the phone continues to ring, and I lick my lips again. “I swear she usually answers,” I lie, caring more about my wounded ego now. Okay, maybe she really is pissed with me over the whole Instagram post thing. The call goes to voicemail.
“Maybe you two aren’t as close as you think.” Sky laughs from behind me, where he's leaning against the doorframe.
“I’ll call Lily since they’re together,” Lorenzo says, bringing the phone to his ear. She doesn’t answer straight away. And the longer it rings, a weight settles in my stomach. Something feels off.
Lorenzo’s eyebrows furrow as he looks at the screen when it goes to voicemail. The room falls silent, and Lorenzo and I look at one another. “Where did you say that bar was?”
“It’s close to the apartment. Let me check the tracker on her phone.” I bring up my phone. “They’re at the bar now.”
“But Lily’s hair clip tracker is moving,” Lorenzo says as he brings up his phone and shows me. That weight in my stomach gets heavier.
“Shit, I should’ve placed a tracker in Romi's jewelry as well. That’s smart.” The thought never once crossed my mind.
Lorenzo half shrugs, seeming somewhat embarrassed by the compliment.
We both look to Luca as Ara stands up, using his hand for support. “I have my money on them being together. They have a lot to catch up on. Is it possible they’re traveling somewhere else after having a drink at the bar, and Romi left her phone there?” she says.
“Wait, the chef said he was certain Fyodor Novikov used the bar as a front.” It dawns on me then. “Fuck! They’ve been monitoring Romi this whole time.”
But why? Why Romi of all people? She didn’t even know about the Armani family or the business they conducted until recently. I look at Ara, and it’s as if we piece it together at the same time. It's because Romi is friends with Ara. Which means the others might be at risk as well.
“Izak, I want you to locate Sienna and watch her. We need to make sure she’s not under surveillance as well,” I command. “Sky, call Dmitri Volkov and make him aware of the situation so he can ensure Elanee isn’t being watched either. I also want you to go to this bar and assess the situation. If Romi’s there, call me.” I turn to my brother then, and we both look down at his phone that updates Lily's tracking device. “Tyson and Kage will come with us as backup.”
“They’ve been targeting my friends this whole time?” Ara asks in disbelief.
Luca frowns, and despite the situation, his only concern seems to be for his wife.
“It would make sense,” Lorenzo says. “Find the weakness and exploit it through you.”
“It’s very probable they’ll ask for a ransom if they do have them,” Tony says diplomatically. “I wonder if it's money or Luca’s head they’re after.”
“I’d be offended if it wasn’t my head,” Luca quickly says, then shuts his mouth when Ara gives him an unimpressed look.
“Can we not think about your ego for two seconds? My friends are in danger.”
“They won’t get to them,” Lorenzo and I say at the same time, surprising both of us.
“I want this dealt with today,” Luca grits out. “I’ll?—”
