Page 17 of Red

“Of course.”

“You know, I remember you as a little kid, running around here with Marcus.” Bertucci buttoned his coat. “I remember your mother, too. Sweet woman. I understand why she kept you and your brothers away from Kristoff and Marcus. They weren’t honorable men.”

“That was a long time ago.” Erik opened the door.

“Yes.” He paused. “It was. Your uncle has the last laugh here, though, doesn’t he? Making you do the work his sister was so repulsed by.”

“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Kristoff Komisky was a disgusting parasite who preyed on the fear of women—his sister was no exception.

“Yes. I’m sure.” Bertucci grabbed his hat from the desk and walked to the door. “Make this easy on yourself. Get it done fast and with the most profit for you and your brothers. Take my offer.”

“I’ll consider it.” It would have to be enough for the moment. Erik wasn’t going to simply hand Melinda over to him. Not without fully understanding why he wanted her. Erik had dealt with two women before her, and Bertucci hadn’t darkened his doorstep until she arrived.

“I look forward to hearing from you then.” Bertucci nodded his goodbye and made his way out.

After the front door closed, Nico appeared, always eager to be the first to know something. “So?”

“Where is she?” Eric asked, nerves rattling.

“The girl? She’s in the kitchen eating.” Nico’s brow furrowed. “What did he want?”

“To make a deal.” He started toward the kitchen.

“He wants her? That’s good, right? Makes it easier.”

“No.” Erik turned on his brother. “This makes it more complicated. Melinda is the third girl we’ve dealt with, but this is the first time Bertucci has shown any interest. Why do you think that is?”

Nico blew out his lips. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound right.”

“He knew her name. Not only that we had a girl, but exactly which girl. He wants her specifically.”

“But why? What’s so special about Melinda?” Nico asked. “I mean, aside from the obvious.”

Erik’s lips pressed together while heat rose through his body. Knocking out his brother for alluding to Melinda’s attractiveness would derail him from his task, the only reason he didn’t pull back his fist and let it fly into Nico’s nose.

“That’s what we need to find out. I’m going to talk to Melinda. You are going over to her grandmother’s house. See if you can find out anything from her. Promise her a visit with Melinda if she hesitates.”

“Don’t bother.” Ian walked up to them, sporting his usual annoyed expression. “Her grandmother’s gone.”

“What do you mean gone?” Erik demanded.

“Gone. As in, not there anymore, packed up and left town. She’s gone.” Ian’s jaw set firm.

“My grandmother’s missing?” Melinda asked, appearing in the hallway.

Erik took a deep breath. He knew nothing and couldn’t offer any information.

“Melinda, go back up to our room. I’ll be there in a few minutes—”

“You said she was safe. If I stayed, she’d be safe. Where is she?” Melinda took a demanding step toward them.

“I will find out. Go upstairs.” He squared off with her, blocking his brothers’ interference. When she hesitated, he patted the buckle on his belt, drawing her attention to it. Her cheeks flushed. “Go upstairs.”

Her throat convulsed as she swallowed. She wanted to fight him, to yell at him, but when he fingered the end of his belt, she pinched her lips together and shoved her way through them. Ian and Nico were saved by stepping out of her way, but she made a concentrated effort to shove her shoulder into Erik’s arm as she passed.

He’d let her have her moment of victory, but she would pay.

After she answered some questions.

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