Page 45 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
“It is.”
“What of the girl? Have you found anything since we last spoke?”
Sal called me the day after the news of De Rossi’s betrayal broke and gave me the expected instructions with regards to Martina. Find her and bring her to him. I wasn’t the only clan member set to the task, but I’m not concerned about the rest. They’ll never find this place.
“He’s hidden her well. I’ve tracked her as far as a flight from Ibiza to Valencia, but her next steps have been hard to trace.”
“How far have you gotten?”
“Someone saw a girl matching her description leaving in a Mercedes van from a car rental place outside the airport. The camera didn’t capture the license plate.” I planted evidence to corroborate this made-up story the day I picked up Martina, and now I’m simply sticking to the script.
“And then?”
“I’m still searching for the car.”
There’s a drawn-out pause on the other end of the line. “I expected more by now. It’s been nearly a week.”
“She could be anywhere in Europe. It takes time.”
Time he doesn’t have, but he’ll never admit it to me.
“How have the other searches fared?” I ask.
“They’ve also tracked her to Valencia, and the trail goes cold there. I grow impatient, Giorgio. I need to get back to the business. The girl needs to be found, and I’m prepared to throw in whatever resources I need to get it done.”
“Have you considered engaging outside help?”
“Yes, it’s being done as we speak.”
I frown. I didn’t expect him to grow this desperate this quickly. He’s already bringing in external contractors?
“Who have you contacted?”
“The Black Snakes and the Partnership.”
Cazzo.Mercenaries, and they’re the smart ones. Their combined manpower is the size of an army, which means they’ll be able to scrutinize every digital record of anyone remotely resembling Martina.
Alarm fans through me. This could become a problem. I hope Damiano is in as much of a rush to get this finished as Sal is.
“They’ll get you De Rossi’s sister in no time,” I say.
“That’s the hope, and of course, I expect you to keep looking. You’ve done good work for me over the years, Giorgio, and I’ve rewarded you generously. I’m a fair man. Get me Martina, and you’ll ascend to heights you never thought possible in my organization.”
Biting on the inside of my cheek, I shake my head. Over the years, I’ve made Sal believe that my ambitions are large. That way, I’ve created the illusion he’s in control. When you know what someone wants, you have power over them.
The truth is, I couldn’t give a fuck about moving up in the clan. All I’ve ever cared about was getting myself to a place where I could orchestrate his downfall.
I got there. Now, I just have to stay there instead of chasing after Martina.
“Thank you, Don. Your words mean a lot.”
“Goodnight, son.”
Bile rises to my throat just as the line goes dead.
My next phone call is to De Rossi. He asked me to keep him appraised on anything to do with Martina, and he needs to know Sal has set the wolves on her.
The line connects. “Napoletano. How are things in— Ah, right, I don’t have a clue where you are.”
