“You’d remember this one. A gorgeous, sharp redhead. She’s important to me. I want to know why she was here.”
He glances at me, leaning back into his chair. “She was looking for Sophie. Sophie Landers, hercousin.”
I guess he expects to shock me, but he gets no reaction. “Why would she look for her here?” Why would she look for her anywhere? Shouldn’t she already know where Sophie is if they’re both working with the Russians?
“Something about Petrovic Casinos.” He shoots me a pointed look. “I guess she linked it to this place.”
“And what did you tell her?”
“The truth. I don’t know where her cousin is.”
I dip my head. “Did she say anything else? Do you have any idea where she is now?”
“Who is she?”
“No one.” The lie tastes bitter exiting my mouth. “Just answer the question.”
“I don’t know where she is, but Nina talked to her. Maybe she shared where she was staying.”
“Bring her here.”
He hesitates before rising from the chair and heading outside. The two of them return, but Ivan glares at me menacingly. “If you disrespect her, I swear to God…”
I lift both of my palms. “I’m just here to ask questions.”
He lets Nina into his chair, standing next to her like a personal guard. The way the short, blonde girl has this giant mobster wrapped around her tiny finger is a sight to behold. “What do you want to know?” she asks casually. Although she’s not one of us, her poker face is awe-inspiring when faced with stressful situations like these.
“I want to know about the woman who was here a few days ago. Alex.”
“I thought Ivan already told you everything we know.” Once again, her answer is measured. Practiced.
“He told me everythingheknew. But I think you might have some intel of your own.”
By the tip of her lips, it’s obvious she likes to feel useful. “She was looking for her cousin. The girl you kept here. She’s been looking for her since she went missing.”
I spare a glare at Ivan for telling her all our business. “Did she share anything else? Where she was staying? A way to contact her?”
“Not really. She just seemed sad. Like she was really down on her luck and needed something good to happen.” Nina’s words pierce my chest.
I clear my throat. “She’s in danger and I don’t even know where to start looking for her.”
“Where was the last place she was seen?” Ivan interjects, leaning his hands on Luka’s desk.
“Sophie’s apartment. Before Andre let her run away.”
Ivan clenches his jaw, but Nina interjects, “She ran away, on her own?”
“Yes, that is my theory.”
“Thank God.” She presses her hand to her chest. “At least it’s better than being kidnapped by whoever is after her.”
There were no signs of a struggle in the apartment. She has experience being on the run. It has to be the case.
“Silly question, but have you tried calling her?” Nina suggests, showing her inexperience in the mafia business.
“A phone would be the first thing someone on the run would get rid of,” I explain.
“But she’s looking for Sophie, right? And she’s on the run? How would Sophie reach out to her if she doesn’t know where to find her?”
