Chapter 13
Michael
It’s been twenty-four hours, and we still have nothing on Zaira. I’m going out of my freaking mind. Ricco and Jude are working around the clock to get a lead on where she might be, while we wait for contact from Romeo.
Alex and Gina took lead on getting the house back in order and have already called the construction crews we know to work on getting the house and grounds back to normal. They started first thing this morning.
I’ve exhausted all avenues. I’m frustrated and pacing in my office, trying my hardest to think of where they may have taken her when Ricco walks in.
“Good news, Mikey. I’ve got a lead on Darius.”
“Thank fuck! Whatcha got?”
“Well, last night, we bugged Darius’s home and tapped into his sister’s phone. She’s his only living relative, and apparently she’s been staying with him for quite some time. Anyway, early this morning, we got a ding. He called her this morning to check in. Said he would be gone for a couple of days and to not worry.”
“That’s it?”
“No, there’s more. He told her he was on a job and that he wasn’t far from home.”
“So we know they’re close.”
“Oh yeah, we actually know a little more. When she asked if he was still going to Italy, he said no, plans changed. She complained about not having any food in the house, and he said he should be able to get away for a short time today and would bring her what she needed. Apparently she is sick or something, has no money or vehicle, and is pretty much down on her luck, which is why she is staying with her brother.”
“So we’ve got him. We need to get men staked out at his place ASAP.”
“Already done. I sent Augie and Gio over there. Rebel went too. They’ll nab him as soon as he surfaces.”
“Well done, Ricco. Thank you.”
He shrugs proudly. “Piece of cake. And, of course, it’s what you pay me for,” he says with a laugh.
“Well, there is that,” I say. “Once we get Darius, we’ll get her location. He’s the key.”
“We’ll have him today,” he assures me. “Well, I’ve got a few more things I need to take care of. Need anything else?”
“Naw, I’m good. Good work, Ricco,” I call after him as he heads for the door.
***
Several hours later, my phone beeps. It’s from Ricco.
“We’ve got him!”
And before I can reply, it beeps again.
“Should be here in less than fifteen minutes.”
I reply:
“Take him to the watershed.”
I finish the paperwork for Bella Celeste, shut down my computer, and make my way toward the watershed. I pick up Ice and the boys on the way. Augie and Gio are just bringing Darius in as I arrive.
Ice walks into the shed, and his eyes go wide. “Holy fuck, Michael, this place is a fucking torture chamber.”
“Exactly,” I say to him with a smirk. I nod at Augie and Gio. “String him up.”
I watch as my boys work on securing the heavy-duty ceiling chains around Darius’s wrists and ankles. I casually walk to the button that pulls the give from the chains and watch as Darius is pulled in all directions.
