Held Firm: A Dark Mafia Romance, page 13
“I witnessed the shooting. It happened on the beach in front of my house. Bianca was with me, but thankfully her back was turned. The area is currently deserted, so the police haven’t been called. I wanted to check with you before doing anything. I thought you might want to take care of him yourself.”
“Yes, absolutely, and I’m very grateful for the consideration. Give me the location and I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”
“You’ll have to send a helicopter, sir. The coast road is closed. There was a massive rockslide.”
“That’s better still. A helicopter is faster and I won’t have to worry about unexpected visitors. It appears fate is on my side. Where is he?”
“The Shore, on Pacific Coast Highway, that’s the name of the small development where I live. It’s about fifteen miles north of Broad Beach. There are five homes in a row, and the first four are two stories. The last is mine, and it’s only a cottage. Roland is at the water’s edge directly in front of it.”
“Hold on, Nicholas.”
Giving the phone to his wife, Lorenzo walked swiftly across the room to a small desk, picked up the house phone and pressed a red button. Barking instructions and making it clear there was no time to waste, he hurried back to Ariana.
“Nicholas, it’s done,” he declared, taking the burner phone back as he sat down. “They’ll be there shortly. I suggest you leave.”
“I already have, I’m with Bianca in a safehouse, but I have a man watching over things. He’ll stay until Roland is on his way home.”
“That’s very reassuring, now, please, give me whatever details you have about her kidnapping. I want to know everything.”
“Of course, sir. I’m sure you’re aware it was Matteus Anderson and Tony Balboa who took her.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but Matteus is dead, and Roland is responsible. I believe that’s why Big Mike killed him. Tony is being transported back to Vegas as we speak.”
“Yes, all that has been reported, and I’m looking forward to hearing what Tony has to say,” Lorenzo said grimly.
“The thing is, sir, Tony and Matt were hired anonymously. Tony has very little information to give you, but I—”
“What?” Lorenzo demanded, fresh anger bubbling up inside him.
“Sweetheart, what is it?” Ariana asked urgently.
“The man behind Bianca’s kidnapping is still a mystery,” Lorenzo replied quickly. “Matt Anderson and Tony Balboa were hired anonymously.”
“Mr. Albertini,” Nick said hastily. “I know who it is.”
“You know who it is?” Lorenzo repeated, jumping to his feet. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“I was about to, sir.”
“Tell me—tell me who! Do you know where they are? Where can I find them?”
“Yes, sir, I know where they are, and I know how it was done and why, but you need to prepare yourself.”
“Just answer me.”
“Lorenzo, please let me hear this?” Ariana begged. “I need to know everything too.”
Glancing down at her and realizing she was right, Lorenzo pressed the speaker icon.
“All right, Nicholas, I’m ready. Bianca’s mother is with me and she can hear you too. Go ahead.”
“I’ll give you all the information, but you’ll have a difficult time believing me, so first I’ll tell you how I found out. I’m a private detective. My specialty is helping people out of difficult situations.”
“You’re a fixer. Yes, I’d heard, and I’ll bet you’re a damn good one.”
“I do have a knack for knowing what to do and when, but regardless, I ran across Bianca near my home on the beach. Matteus and Tony were keeping her in a house nearby. After I managed to get her out, I thought they might let something slip that might help me track down who hired them, so I set up surveillance with some very sensitive equipment. Well, Mr. Albertini, I was right. It turned out Matt did know after all. When you and I have finished speaking, I’ll be happy to send you a copy of the recording. You can hear it for yourself.”
“I see,” Lorenzo said gravely. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“No, sir.”
“You have my attention, Nicholas. Let’s hear it. Who’s behind this mess? Believe me, I’ll find a way to get a confession out of them.”
Knowing he’d be greeted with stunned silence, Nick told Lorenzo and Ariana what he’d overheard, then stayed quiet, allowing them to process the startling revelation. Surprisingly, it was Ariana who was the first to speak.
“You were right, Nicholas,” she said solemnly. “If you didn’t have the recording I wouldn’t believe you. It’s a lot to take in.”
“I can’t fathom any of this,” Lorenzo muttered. “It’s just too confounding.”
“Mr. Albertini, with all due respect, you need to look beyond the act, and try to understand why it happened.”
“Yes, yes,” he replied impatiently, “and I will, but right now I just want to bring my little girl home.”
“Of course you do, but it will take a few days to put the pieces together and bring it to a head. This has to be handled with kid gloves.”
“Please, Lorenzo,” Ariana said softly, “let’s do this Nick’s way. He’s thought it through, and he’s right.”
“I have to agree,” Lorenzo grunted, “but the sooner we can wrap this up, the better.”
“Do you think you’ll have any trouble finding Sammy Parker?” Nick asked. “It would be very helpful to have him here.”
“Sammy Parker,” Lorenzo repeated. “You’ve just given me an idea, and don’t worry, it will take all of five minutes to locate him. He’ll be in a casino some place. A few calls and I’ll know exactly where he is, how long he’s been there, and how much he’s lost.”
“I’ll let Bianca know you’re picking him up,” Nick began. “In the meantime, can you find out what happened to Matteus? Bodies just don’t vanish. A kid named Jimmy, at least, he sounded like a kid when I was listening in, was supposed to be picking up Roland, but he could be anywhere. “
“I’ll put Alfredo on this. I know Roland, or rather, I knew Roland, but Alfredo deals with his soldiers more than I do. He’ll get whatever information they may have.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“No, Nicholas, thank you. My wife and I are forever in your debt.”
“Nicholas,” Ariana began, “when Bianca is home and everything is behind us, you must be our guest at the hotel. We’ll put you in the Presidential Suite. Anything the hotel offers is yours, and I do mean anything.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I have a demanding clientele out here. I’m not sure I can get away for more than a day or two. I’ve already put some things on hold handling this situation.”
“We’re going to find a way to express our thanks,” Ariana continued, “though I doubt there is anything that can properly show my gratitude. Bianca is… well… she and Alfredo, they’re everything to me, they’re my world. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.”
Hearing the tears in her voice, Nick suddenly felt the shadow of heat in the back of his throat.
“I can’t begin to imagine how this has been for you,” he said earnestly, swallowing back his emotion. “I’m just grateful I was on the beach at the right time. I told Bianca it was fate. I still believe that.”
“Yes, it must have been,” Ariana murmured.
“Now I must go, but we’ll speak again soon.”
“Goodbye, Nicholas,” Lorenzo interjected. “Get in touch at any time, whatever you need, I’ll get it for you.”
As the call ended, Nick leaned back his head and let out a breath. All he had to do now was let things crinkle out.
A short distance away, Big Mike was cruising the canyon roads in search of the black Ford Explorer, but most of the expensive homes had high fences, closed garages, and electric gates. He was at a loss when a Porsche Macan drove toward him. The conversation he’d overheard when he was crouched by the window at Nick Vincelli’s beach house flashed through his mind.
Pack up our stuff, put it in my Porsche, and drive up there.
Breaking into a broad grin, and keeping watch in his rearview mirror, he waited until the SUV had followed a bend in the road, then peeled rubber as he did a U-turn and accelerated after him.
Moments later, he spotted the luxury SUV stopped in front of high wrought-iron gates. As they swung open, he slowed to a crawl and studied the single-story home, then his heart sank as he spied the security cameras. Driving slowly forward, he discovered the wall surrounding the property was covered in thick, thorny bougainvillea. Rescuing the beautiful Bianca would not be easy.
CHAPTER 18
After finishing with Lorenzo and Ariana, Nick called Brad to tell him about the helicopter that would soon be arriving to pick up Roland’s body. As they were talking, Nick noticed John pulling up to the gates. They swung open, but as the Porsche Macan drove forward, Nick noticed a black sedan moving slowly past the driveway.
“I hope the copter gets here quick,” Brad continued as Nick watched the car drive away and the gates close. “I just found out the rockslide has been cleared enough to open a single lane in about an hour.”
“If Roland hasn’t been picked up in thirty minutes, let me know and I’ll get back in touch with Albertini,” Nick replied, though his mind was still on what he’d just seen.
“Hey, Nick, can I ask how you managed to get through to him? Lorenzo Albertini wouldn’t be the easiest man to reach.”
“Sure, you can ask, but the answer is classified.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
“Brad, I have to go,” Nick said hastily. “John just arrived.”
“Okay, I’ll keep you posted.”
As John climbed from the car, Nick helped him carry the bags into the guest room, then quickly closed the door. “John, did you notice anyone following you?”
“No, but something weird happened when I arrived. No one was behind me leaving the beach or as I drove through the canyon, but about half a mile from here, I passed a car. I mean, it was coming toward me. When I pulled up at the gates I saw it in my rearview mirror. Whoever it was must have done a U-turn.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Neither do I, and it was too late to do anything, I’d already pulled into the drive. I did get the plate number though.”
“Good work, John.”
“Unfortunately it’s out of Vegas.”
“Fuck,” Nick grunted. “Call Cindy on your way back and ask her to run it and send me the info.”
“Will do.”
“Also, there’s a helicopter on its way to pick up Roland’s body.”
“There is?”
“Yeah, I was able to reach Lorenzo Albertini, but don’t ask me how. Brad knows, and I want you there as well. As soon as it’s done, both of you come back here. This house is secure but I might need you. That car was no coincidence.”
“Maybe you and Bianca should leave,” John suggested. “You could hunker down in the back of the Explorer and I’ll drive you someplace else.”
“I’m already thinking about that.”
“Any idea who it might be?”
“Yeah, I have a hunch. Bianca recognized the shooter. His name is Big Mike, he was one of Roland’s men, but we’ll discuss this in detail when you and Brad get back here,” Nick said as they left the room and headed to the front door. “Keep your eyes peeled when you leave. Let me know if you see that car anywhere, and if you do, try to get a good look at the driver.”
As John climbed into his SUV and drove through the gates, Nick suddenly remembered the mysterious sedan parked on the side of the road. Cursing under his breath for not paying it more attention, he strode into the kitchen and found Bianca at the kitchen table with a fresh pot of coffee and a plate of muffins.
“Hi,” she said, rising to her feet and walking up to him. “I heard you and John come in, but I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Thanks. We needed to talk,” Nick replied, hugging her tightly, finding himself swept up with the need to protect her at all costs. “How are you?”
Pulling back, she stared up at him, a Mona Lisa smile crossing her lips. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but in spite of everything, I’m better than I have been in a long time.”
His heart skipped. Something was happening between them, and it wasn’t just the hot sex. “Even though your ass is sore?”
She paused. “Maybe because my ass is sore,” she quipped with a wink.
“Good answer,” he said, placing his phone on the table and sitting down. “Now pour me some coffee, woman.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said with a giggle, then pressed her lips on his with a quick, but fervent kiss. “The muffins are delicious,” she remarked as she stepped back and poured the hot brew into his mug. “I don’t know where Cindy bought them, but I want to find out and order a truckload.”
“There’s a bakery near my office. I think we’d starve if it wasn’t there, and I swear they have the best coffee in L.A. When things are back to normal, I’ll take you.”
“I’d love that, but, uh, what happens now?” she asked, settling into a chair opposite him.
Picking up his mug, he took a drink, then looked at her intently. “Bianca, I can arrange for you to speak to your parents on a secure line.”
“Seriously?” she asked, her eyes widening.
“Seriously,” he repeated. “Would you like me to do that?”
“Of course, but how?”
“The how doesn’t matter,” he replied, picking up his phone.
“You mean I can talk to them right now?”
“That’s what I mean.”
“Shit. Do they know I’m okay?”
“Yes, Bianca, they know you’re okay.”
“You’ve spoken to them? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just did.”
“Holy crap. My heart is suddenly thumping.”
“Should I hold off for a minute?” he asked, pausing his finger just as he was about to place the call.
“No, no, but after I’ve spoken to them, you have to tell me how this happened.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Bianca, I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Sorry, no, you don’t,” she replied, lowering her voice, “but I’d like it if you did.”
“That’s better, and I will, but not yet. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m definitely ready.”
He tapped out the number, and Lorenzo answered immediately.
“Nicholas!”
“Hello again, Mr. Albertini. I have Bianca here. I’m handing my phone over to her.”
Fighting back tears, and finding it unbelievable Nick had been able to reach her father, Bianca took the phone with shaking fingers. “Dad?”
“Bianca, sweetheart, it’s wonderful to hear your voice. Your mother is here next to me and she’s bursting to talk to you. Are you all right?”
“I’m absolutely fine thanks to Nick,” Bianca replied, her voice trembling as she tried to hold herself together. “Things were getting really bad when he rescued me. I don’t know what might have happened if he hadn’t.”
“I’ll be thanking God for his help every day for the rest of my life. Here’s your mother, she’s about to rip my arm off.”
“Bianca, talk to me,” Ariana said anxiously. “Tell me how you’re feeling, tell me no one hurt you.”
Hearing her mother’s choked words, Bianca could no longer contain her tears. “No one hurt me, Mom, not really. I’m okay.”
“I’ve been losing my mind with worry. Your father and I both have. How did you manage to get away? I know Nick Vincelli was involved, but how did you two meet? I’m sorry, I have so many questions, but they can wait. All that matters is you’re safe, and you’ll be home as soon as your father thinks you’re out of danger. He wants to talk to you again. He has news about your kidnappers. I’m handing it back to him.”
“He does?” Bianca exclaimed, darting her eyes across to Nick.
“Hey, honey, your mother is right, but I’m afraid you won’t like it.”
“Can I put you on speaker so Nick can listen?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“I’m here, Mr. Albertini,” Nick said, as Bianca touched the speaker icon.
“Bianca, I’m sorry to tell you this,” Lorenzo continued solemnly, “but it appears your friend Sammy Parker was involved.”
“Sammy? No, Dad, that’s ridiculous.”
“He was seen in the vicinity, and he’s probably in debt again. It won’t take long to track him down. You know how small this town is, and I can assure you, if he was involved, or if he knows anything, he’ll tell me.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded. “He’s my friend.”
“Friends don’t kidnap each other,” Lorenzo declared, “but I will give him a fair hearing. In the meantime, you take care of yourself. Nick? Are you still there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make sure she stays safe.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you, again, Nick, for everything,” Ariana interjected.
“No thanks necessary. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“Bye, Mom, I love you,” Bianca said earnestly “Bye, Dad, and go easy on Sammy. I know he’s not involved.”
“I heard you the first time, sweetheart. We’ll talk again very soon.”
“Can I use your phone?” Bianca asked urgently the moment the call ended. “I have to call Sammy. I have to warn him.”
“Why are you so sure he’s not involved?”
“Sammy is one of the sweetest guys I know. Yeah, he loves to play cards, but so what? I bet you have some habits you’d like to change.”
“You’ve had a taste of my only addiction,” Nick replied with a wry grin.
“There’s nothing funny about this,” she snapped. “Never mind, I’ll use the house line.”
Jumping to her feet and marching across the kitchen, she was about to lift the receiver from the wall phone when Nick reached past her and snatched it up.
