“I don’t give a shit,” I told him. “She’s not finishing the performance.”
He grabbed my arm, yanking me to a halt. “We’re right here, Jax. We won’t let anything happen to her. No offense, boss, but you need to take a deep breath.”
While he was right, that didn’t soothe my nerves.
I took gasping breaths, trying to control my rage while his goddamn phone rang.
“Yeah,” he answered, immediately turning his head in my direction. “Fuck. Alright. Yeah, I’ll tell him. Keep the building surrounded.”
“What?”
“They found the men. They were in a stairwell shot dead execution style.”
“That’s it. She’s coming off the stage.” I moved through a set of doors, taking long strides down the corridor.
“Mr. Prince. Mr. Prince. Wait!”
Hearing Irina’s voice shocked the hell out of me. I stopped short, spinning around on my heel. She was frantic, rushing toward me. Unable to control my emotions, I grabbed both her arms, shaking her before driving her against the wall.
Terrified, her eyes opened wide.
Zorro stood guard, whining from his uncertainty of what was going on.
Donatello gave me a sharp look but moved to block the view of any struggle.
“What did you do to her? What? You fucking brought Anastasia to New Orleans so she could be sold off to the Russians?”
Her mouth twisted in horror as she blinked several times. “You do not understand.”
“I understand damn good and well. You’re working with the Russo family. You know, Italian mafia. How much did they pay you? How much is her blood worth to you?” I shook her violently, my anger uncontrollable.
“Please,” she cried. “Listen to me.”
“Then tell me the truth. She is Anastasia Scavullo, the daughter of theCapo dei Capiof the Italian Five Families. Isn’t she?” When she didn’t answer right away, I debated pressing the gun to her forehead. Her tears prevented me. “Isn’t she?”
As her chest rose and fell, she could barely talk. “Yes. Yes… But her father asked me to protect her, not hurt her.”
“What?” The words stopped me cold. “What did you say?”
“What?” Donatello chimed in.
She nodded as tears rolled down both cheeks. “Francesco and I are very old friends. He called me and said his daughter was in trouble. He said I was the only person he could trust.”
“What did her father ask you to do? Get her ready to sell her off? An arranged marriage?”
“No. He never wanted that, but his enemies were closing in. I’d never heard him so angry. I owe that man my life so I did what I could, offering her a position. Nothing more. He didn’t tell me very much. You need to believe me. I had no way of knowing she’d even accept the offer.”
“I believe you, alright. I believe you lured her here under false pretenses straight into the arms of men who were told to keep an eye on her. Or was this a bidding war situation?”
“No. Never. I care about her. I’ve followed her career. I’ve watched her grow. I’ve…”
Whatever the fuck was going on, Irina was of no use. She simply didn’t know anything.
“Keep her here while I get Anastasia off stage.”
“No!” she yelled. “That’s why I wanted to find you. She’s not on stage. Her understudy is.”
“What? Where is she? So help me God, if you did anything to her, you will not like what happens.”
