“Where is she?” I growl, pulling my fist back to hit him again. “Tell me where she is.”
“I don’t know, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. That bitch escaped me once but I won’t let her go a second time.”
I hit him again, and again, and he laughs as I do it. I’m going to kill him, I’m going to beat him until that laughter disappears, but the door bursts open. Romano comes in first, followed by Malcolm and the three big goons.
Romano pulls me off Benedict. The goons all draw their guns, looking ready to use them as Benedict spits more blood, still laughing hysterically. It makes me sick, but he’s not the first monster I’ve met who enjoys a little pain.
“What the fuck is this?” Malcolm snaps, staring around. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Where is she?” I shout over Romano, but my second-in-command doesn’t let me go.
“He thinks we have his girlfriend,” Benedict says, shaking his head, smirking through red, bloodied lips. “He’s gone insane with jealousy.”
Malcolm’s smile boils my blood. “Oh, Gavino, I know I’m rich and handsome, but I promise you Jeanie isn’t my type. She’s much too… relatable. Too much like a daughter to me.” He laughs and turns away. “Don’t worry though. I’m sure she’s fine. Now please, my boys will walk you two out and I don’t want any more trouble. I’m willing to forget this little encounter ever happened and chalk it up to the price of doing business with a gangster. I have some lady friends waiting and I do believe they’ve called a few more of their closest besties out to party. I’m in for a wild night and I don’t want any more distractions. Take care of this.”
Malcolm exits. I stand there, snarling, but I’m outnumbered and outgunned. Benedict washes his face off in the sink and pats it dry with paper towels as the goons shove their guns against my body and steer me toward the exit. “This isn’t over,” I snap but Benedict only laughs again and spits more blood.
One of the big guys takes my gun as I’m shoved into the hall and away from the thumping music. There’s an emergency exit that spits us out into an alley. The thugs hesitate before disappearing back inside, and the door closes, clicking shut. There’s no knob or handle on this side.
I punch the damn door, frustration chewing at my insides.
Romano leans against the wall and sighs.
“That wasn’t subtle,” he says.
“No, it wasn’t.” I take a breath to steady myself before giving him a look. “But they have her.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. And I just kicked the damn hornet’s nest.” I turn from the door and start walking to the parking lot. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“We set the trap. Now we need to wait for Benedict to take the bait.”