“Where’d you find this?” I ask.
“It was on the floor next to the bed,” Romeo explains, running his hand through his hair as he looks the photo over himself.
“Did we knock it on the floor or was it there when we came in?”
Romeo gives me an odd look. “Uh, I think it was like that.”
Rubbing my chin, I stare the picture over. She meant to take this with her, but it fell out. I’m guessing. Either way, this picture means a lot to her if she had it next to her bed. Running my finger over her face, I take in her big smile, her cheeks lifted so high it makes her eyes squint.
Stepping over to the mother, I squat down and flip the frame around so she sees it.
“Where is that?”
She glares in reply, and my soldier jerks her hair a little harder.
“Look, I don’t enjoy hurting a woman but my men here don’t have a problem with it. Now you’re going to tell me what I want to know. It’s up to you if it’s the hard way, or the easy way.” Reaching out, I slip my finger under her chin and pinch the little bit of wrinkly skin, tugging down so her eyes meet mine.
“Where is this?” My tone much harsher.
She doesn’t reply, she just sobs harder. I give my man a quick glance and he presses his gun to her head and tears slip down her cheeks. “Please…” she begs.
“It’s a cabin her father used to take them to,” the grandmother answers for her. Turning my head slowly I look to her.
“Where?” I ask, the picture still in my hand.
“I don’t know, it was years ago.” She shakes her head, her voice raspy with old age.
I look to my soldier holding the gun and he pulls back the clip. One more glance in his direction and he’d kill Leona’s mother, that’s the power I have in this room. A flick of my eyes and my men know what to do. It’s not arrogance, I worked my way to this position of power. The things I did with my bare hands, saw with my own eyes and won’t forget, all leading to this spot. It wasn’t easy and I’m the emotionless prick that I am today because of it.
“I swear I don’t know!” she spastically replies, taking a step toward me in hopes of stopping me from hurting her daughter. Romeo steps in front of her, stopping her from coming any farther.
“Romeo, I want you to pull up any estate that belongs to the Bravado’s and I want Leona’s phone records, see if she has any close friends she could be staying with,” I order, and he pulls out his phone before stepping out of the room. Slipping my hand into the pocket of my slacks, I look at the chaos my men have caused. Drawers pulled out and dumped of their expensive materials. Clothes pulled off hangers and the mattress pulled off its frame.
“Sir, I don’t know if this is important but—”
Matteo, the man that usually guards the yacht, stands in front of me with one hand rubbing the back of his neck. I personally asked him to come along, he has potential.
“What is it?” I cut in.
“A pair of rain boots, tennis shoes, and sandals are out of place in the walk-in closet,” he informs.
My brows furrow with this information. I glance into the closet and notice every pair of shoes has an exact placement, but he’s right a few are missing.
“Your queer eyes don’t help us new kid on the block!” one of my soldiers insult. Johnny, I think his name is. I don’t like him, he’s too arrogant and thinks he knows what’s going on before actually having a fucking clue of where he is.
“Actually, it does.” I sweep my eyes to the idiot who put his foot in his mouth. “It says she’s going somewhere rural and not in the city,” I tell further, and his face pales. “Thanks Matteo.”
My shoe steps on a slew of clothes that was thrown on the floor, a gold colored thong catches my attention. Bending down, I swiftly pick it up and shove it in my pocket.
“Why do you want my daughter?” Mrs. Bravado hisses, grabbing my attention.
“What if your daughter wants me, Mrs. Bravado? Or is it Miss-seeing-how-long-your-husband-has-abandoned-you?” Anger washes over her sadness, and the corner of my mouth almost turns into a smirk. “Or are we still hanging on to the fact that he’s still alive?” I hit her where it hurts.
“My daughter could never love you!” Her voice rises. “She’s a good girl.”
Stepping up to her, I stop right in front of her and she looks up with dull green eyes.
“I’ve seen Leona, and that woman has a whole lotta bad just aching to come out, and lucky for her, I have a way of bringing the worst out in people.” Winking, I turn. Done with the conversation.