“Looks like we may get some answers, Boys.” Matias headed toward the steps; his brothers close on his heel.
Easing open the door, Matias was surprised to see the man sitting on the edge of the bed. His face was cut up and bruised and one eye was still swollen shut. He glanced up at the door and stiffened.
“Where am I?” his voice was raspy and barely above a whisper.
“You're in my home.” Matias stepped into the bedroom. “Do you know your name? Or how you wound up a prisoner on Jorge Peru’s property?”
“You speak English?” The man’s head swiveled, inspecting the other men who had crowded in behind Matias.
“Yes. My father felt it was important we knew the language since we deal with a lot of other countries. We’re fluent in Russian, German, French, and Italian.”
“How did I get here?”
“My brothers and I rescued you from where you were being held. It seems Jorge Peru is working for Dmitri Ivanov. Does that name ring a bell to you?”
“The Prizrak? Fuck,” he grunted. “The head of the Russian Mafia? If he’s the one responsible for my kidnapping, then my family is going to kill him. What does he have to do with you?”
“First things first.” Matias folded his arms across his chest. “Who are you?”
“Antonio Anastasi.”
The men behind Matias gasped. “Fuck.” Matias turned to his brother. “Cristian.”
“On it, Brother.” Cristian ran from the room, leaving Matias and the others alone with Antonio.
“I’m Matias Silva. You’ve been held in Chile on a winery north of Santiago. Jorge Peru works for Dmitri and is responsible for stealing a large shipment of my lithium. What I don’t understand is why Dmitri would kidnap an Anastasi.”
“That’s easy. He wanted us to ship something for him and my family refused. My guess is he thought kidnapping me would give him the blackmail he needed to strong-arm us into agreeing.”
“My brother Cristian has gone to contact your family. Dmitri really stepped in it now. He’s picked two of the most influential and ruthless families to fuck with.”
“My brother Massimo is the least of his worries. When Vincenzo hears what’s happened—the Prizrak will have nowhere to run.”
“It doesn’t matter. He has something far more valuable than my lithium. I’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.”
“What’s more valuable than lithium?” Antonio tilted his head in question, appraising Matias.
“The woman I love.”
Vegaswasjustasshe remembered. Bright lights and half-naked people. She longed to return to Chile, no longer attached to the place she once called home. Her father had locked her in the guest room of his home. He even stationed two guards outside the door, ensuring she couldn’t escape.
Laying on the bed, she stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts remained on Matias and his family. Without any proof, she could only pray that her father had kept his end of the bargain and spared their lives. The sound of the door had her jolt up in bed.
“Ah,” her father stepped in, Jorge Peru close behind him. “Daughter. I’ve brought an old friend to see you.”
“Fuck you, and fuck him too,” she hissed. “Neither of you are my friends.”
Her father nodded toward the two guards. “Grab her and bring her to me.” The men gripped her by the arms and forced her to a standing position and dragged her to stand in front of him. Her father’s hand lashed out and gripped her under the chin. “You will do as Isay, or those you betrayed me for will die. Do you understand?”
Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. Now. I promised Jorge he could have you and I am a man of my word.” Turning to Jorge he smiled. “Just don’t lose her this time. In fact.” He glanced back at Katya. “Why don’t you just use her here. This way we know she’s safe and sound. You too, since the Silva’s are hunting you.”
“They won’t find me here in Vegas.”
“I’m not taking any chances. You will stay here with her as well. I will set a room up for you on this floor. Come and go as you please. She is yours to do with as you want. Guards.” Dmitri headed out the door, “He has permission to come and go in this room whenever he wants.”
“Father, please,” Katya begged. “Don’t do this. I’m still your daughter.”
