Luca’s brow furrowed. “Why do I get the feeling this is about to get worse?”
“Because you’re not wrong,” Enzo replied, casting a quick glance at me as if bracing himself my reaction. “It’s a private chat room specifically for serial killers.”
“What the hell?” Matteo and Lo exclaimed in unison.
“What do you mean ‘specifically for serial killers’?” Uncle asked.
“Wait a second,” Luca interjected, shaking his head as if trying to piece together a grotesque puzzle. “Are you saying what Ithinkyou’re saying?”
“What is he saying?” Lo asked, looking between the two men.
Enzo nodded grimly. “They’re selling women to the most dangerous psychopaths in the country.”
An icy silence enveloped the room, leaving us all frozen in shock.
“To do what?” I asked
“To live out their fantasies.”
Jesus. This was so fucked.
“Is that why those girls were at the trailer?” I asked. “Were they up for auction?”
“We believe so,” Enzo replied, his tone somber.
I was about to ask another question when a knock echoed against the door. It swung open, and a small figure bounded into the room, his tiny feet hurriedly patting against the floor. His eyes twinkled with joy, and a big smile spread across his face, making it impossible not to laugh.
“Uncle Nico!” Aurelio cried, as he leaped into my arms.
“Hey there, little man. How are you?” I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close to my chest, letting his innocence momentarily lift the heaviness that I carried.
“Mamma’s home! Look!” he exclaimed, pointing toward the door as Matteo wheeled Mya into the room.
“Oh, hey.” Mya waved weakly. “Looks pretty intense in here.”
“Welcome back, Mya,” everyone exclaimed as they gave her hugs.
Enzo stood, and Aurelio hopped off my lap, running to his mother. “I’ll keep digging and call you if I find anything else. I hope you would do the same,” he said.
“Of course,” I agreed, for once without protest, watching as he walked out, the door closing behind him.
Demon sat comfortably on all fours between my legs. I sank deeper into the chair, the warm air from the vents offering little comfort against my bare chest.
After Enzo dropped the Lana bomb on us, I couldn’t think anymore. It felt like we had chased so many goddamn leads, and not a single one brought me any closer to finding my girl. My men spent hours and days scouring the city. Every nightclub. Every trap house. Every fucking where but found nothing. No Gigi.
“You’re only a few moments away from liver disease if you keep drinking that shit like water,” Luca said, piercing the silence. I lifted my gaze, momentarily pulled away from the whiskey glass I was holding.
“Where the fuck were you? On a date?” I smirked, taking in his appearance. He stood in the doorway, hands tucked into the pockets of his dark slacks. He was wearing a crisp, half-buttoned white shirt, and polished black shoes. His hair was styled back with a subtle gel.
Luca's lips twitched in a brief smile. “I was at the club making sure things were running smoothly.” He stepped further into the room and took a seat across from me.
I nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over me. “Thanks, man.” I didn’t know how I’d survive this mess without my men as I hadn’t been able to give the time and attention to my business that it needed to keep running.
The ringing of my phone abruptly shattered my thoughts. Demon’s ears pricked up.
I fished my phone out of my pocket, swiped to answer, and tossed it onto the table, hitting the speaker button. “Yeah?” I grunted.
“Watch the screen,” the voice on the other end said in a robotic tone. A few seconds later, a text message appeared, displaying a video. My blood ran cold as I saw Gigi, battered and bruised, her eyes pleading through her tears. I lunged for the phone, my hands shaking with rage.