Page 41 of Labria

“I’m already cooperating. Tell me what to do and I will do anything. If my brother killed your father, you should kill him, not me or my kids.”

“That sounds like a great plan, but I don’t know where your brother is currently located.”

“I don’t know where he is, but I can try to find him.”

“So now you’re trying to help me.”

“I’m trying to help myself and my children. I’m trying to save my children and myself. I will do anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, Mr. Bregoli. I will do anything.”

“Huh, well that’s gives me something to think about. Let’s start with a simple question. Where do you think your brother could be? Think hard.” Nicco tucked his gun into his waistband.

“I left him in Nebraska so maybe you should start there, but, but, I think he could be in Chicago. He’s had girlfriends in the city. The last one that I remember she was named Jeanine, and she’s a bartender at the Aragon Ballroom.”

“With this information, you will get to live another day. If the information on your cell phone leads up closer to your brother, you may get to live two days.”

“What about my kids?”

“Don’t worry about them. My brother, Cenzo, will get you cleaned up, shower, food, and water. This is a soundproof room. There are no windows. Agree to act civilized and I won’t gag you or put the bag over your head.”

“I agree, of course. Whatever you say.”

“Cenzo.” Nicco waved our brother over.

“When will I see you again?” Marie asked.

“Soon.” The last words Nicco uttered before I followed him out of the room and toward the door to leave.

I believed the interrogation went well. I couldn’t believe Nicco hadn’t used any violence on the woman. Hopefully, this tactic worked.

Chapter Thirteen

LABRIA

The sun was shining brightly, but I was dog-tired on the ride back home. I had even drifted off to sleep when we stopped at a red light. When I woke, we were already pulling into my driveway. I thanked Dave, like I always. I was going to see him bright and early the next day.

I did know I was happy to be home from work. I dreamt of curling into bed and tucking myself under my new Egyptian cotton sheets. Relaxing was in my immediate plans. I didn’t want to fight. I didn’t want to be mad or upset. I probably wasn’t going to get justice, but I surely wanted my peace.

After five days away, Lord was back in Vegas. Last night he slipped into bed with me and I didn’t notice him beside until it was time for me to get up and ready for work. I didn’t bother to check his location today. I checked his location the first day he was in Chicago. I’d only done it the one time. I didn’t want my sister to catch me checking up on him. I decided to stop acting like such a psycho girlfriend.

When I walked farther into the house, I could hear Lord’s voice booming from his office. At least he hadn’t bailed again. I was far away from his office and I couldn’t see if he had someone inside the room with him. I could just hear his booming voice and the voice of another man. Something was up because they both weren’t talking with their inside voices.

Punchy, Lord’s head of security, was sitting in the living room on my couch watching TV. The volume was down low. I was walking quietly, but he immediately took notice of me.

“Hello Ms. Harris.” Punchy stood to greet me.

“Hello.” I didn’t want to call him Punchy like everyone else. So, I didn’t. I should know his real name by now. But I didn’t.

“Mr. Lord is in his office in a meeting.” He explained.

“Yeah, okay, thanks.” I said, trying to sound like I wasn’t slightly irritated. “I won’t disturb him then.” I plastered a smile on my face.

All of those days with no contact seemed odd. I counted sunrises without him. There were too many for people that were in a committed relationship and living under the same roof.

It took me a few seconds to hear the other person’s voice clearly. Either there was someone in his office or he was on speakerphone. Hearing another man’s voice gave me a minimal amount of comfort. At least Lord wasn’t cheating on me.

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