CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I don’t like the wayour meeting is going. Lorenzo is too quiet. Too smug. And Antonio isn’t here. I want both snakes in the same room so I can end their lives at the same time.
But not until I find the missing girls. One of my men I have planted on Parisi’s staff said ten more girls from Russia were brought in the day before Gia and I made our visit.
The glass of water in front of me is untouched. I would have preferred bourbon. I don’t care that it’s ten in the morning. One glass would calm my racing pulse. I don’t ask though. Asking will show weakness. I’m in control.
Of Parisi.
Of the situation.
Of myself.
He steeples his fingers over his round stomach, an evil smirk on his putrid face. “I’d like to say I’m surprised you didn’t bring my daughter along, but I see you got what you wanted from her. No need to carry excess baggage.”
I don’t take his bait and ignore the insult to my wife. “As majority owner of Parisi Wines, I plan on touring the property. You’d be wise to tell the staff to give me access to anything I ask for.”
“I don’t take orders or threats from you, Parlatore.”
“It doesn’t look like you have a choice.” I stand and push back my chair as my lawyer drops more paperwork in front of Parisi and his team of lawyers. I don’t need a team. I’ve done my research. I have every right to the property.
Part of me wishes I had Gia with me to give me a tour, to see if she has any idea where the girls may be hidden. I don’t think she knows, otherwise she would have demanded we free them the moment we stepped foot on the vineyard a week ago.
I want to keep her away from this kind of evil, even if it means it will take longer to uncover the nooks and secret hiding places on the estate. I’ll question her tonight to see if she has any possible leads.
I feel it in my gut. The girls are here. On the property. The vineyard and the coast are perfect covers for sex trafficking. The temptation to put a bullet between his eyes is almost too tempting. I have to wait until we find the girls.
I pull at the cuffs on my sleeves and give Parisi a lazy dismissal. “I’ll show myself around.”
Marco follows and Tio lingers behind, per the plan. He’s to keep an eye on Parisi while I scour the property. I don’t care to introduce myself to the vineyard staff. They’re of no concern to me. When I free the girls, I’ll sell off the vineyard or give it to Gia if she wants. Either way, I want her to profit from it.
The estate, for all I care, can burn to the ground. Parisi’s staff scurries away like rodents when I enter a room. I open doors, look for unusual knobs or buttons. Places that can conceal trap doors. My gut tells me they’re not hidden in the home. Parisi’s lawyers would have raised more hell if that was the case.
Even though the estate is listed as part of the company, the lawyers can put a hold on my search, stating its use is a private residence. They could prolong the paperwork and, in the meantime, move the girls.
After an hour around the house, and not inspecting even a third of it, I go outside. Parisi is there, following behind.
“I would think you’d be interested in seeing your investment, yet you haven’t ventured toward the winery.”
Something tells me he doesn’t like the direction we’re walking. It’s off the beaten path, away from the vineyard and heading toward the water.
I ignore him and continue studying the property, looking for any nuances in the earth, rocks that seem placed by man instead of Mother Nature. I’ve walked close to a mile when I see what appears to be an opening in a cave.
The ground in front of the opening isn’t as overgrown as the rest of the area. Lorenzo is sweating, my pace too quick for him.
“Stop,” he warns.
Marco draws his weapon and we both turn. Lorenzo’s shirt is soaked with sweat under his arms. He reaches for his pocket and Marco cocks his Magnum Research Desert Eagle, one of the most powerful handguns ever made.
“Easy.” Parisi holds up his hands. “I’m reaching for a handkerchief.” He draws one out of his pocket and wipes his sweat.
He’s too smug. Too confident. The back of my neck prickles as I scan the area. I’m being set up. I can feel it. I glance at Marco, who is laser focused on Parisi, the gun still aimed at his chest.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hear Marco’s as well. I reach for my cell and read Lucca’s text.
Gia’s missing.
Did she run away? No, she wouldn’t. She understands our arrangement and seems content as long as her mother is cared for. The past few days have been...nice.