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"Good." Raffaele's eyes gleam with pride as he lays out the plan. It's sloppy, full of holes, just like I expected. He's getting desperate. But I don't question anything. I let him think he's in control.
As he speaks, I drift, lost in my thoughts. How did I get here? Caught up in something so dark, so twisted? I think of my mother's words, her lifeless body flashing before my eyes. Her voice echoes in my mind, warning me about this life. I see myself dead-eyed and broken, lying across a bed just like her.
I can't do this, and I can't let him do it either.My mind races with its own plan, one I have to execute before it's too late.
Raffaele's voice pulls me back. "It should take no more than—"
There's a knock at the door, and one of his men steps in. "Raffaele, we need you now."
Raffaele sighs, annoyed. He looks back at me. "Enjoy your breakfast. Think about what I've said." He stands up, wiping his hands on a napkin. "And remember this—you will be assisting me in a murder, one way or another. Either this Le Ombre pig... or Giovanni. This time, I mean it. Once I take control, your protection is gone. Better you prove your worth now."
He leaves, shutting the door behind him and leaving me alone at the table. I stare at the half-eaten plate of food, nausea rising in my throat. Slowly, I pick at the bacon, knowing I need my strength for whatever comes next.
Raffaele thinks he's cornered me, but he doesn't know everything. If I call the police, Raffaele could know it was me. He'd take his vengeance out on Gio, Shane, and eventually me. He needs to be rooted out. Le Ombre may be the key to turning this all around, and I have one in mind. Finding him may take some time, but being the daughter of informants, if there's one thing I've learned from my parents... it's how to play the patience game.
Chapter 29
Shane
"The Velvet Mirage," I say aloud, the name lingering in my thoughts. I'd heard of it—a notorious gangster joint on the lower side of town. But thinking back, I can't recall Nicole ever mentioning it. "Naw, doesn't ring a bell."
"You're sure?" Mike asks, the hinges of his desk chair creaking as he leans back, studying my reaction.
"Yeah," I respond, my voice tense with frustration. "I'm sure she's never talked about it. What's this about?"
"Just a lead we're following up on. Nothing for you to worry about," Mike says, his tone dismissive, but I can tell there's more to it.
"So what is it? Is that where he's keeping Nicole?"
"No, Shane. And even if it was, I couldn't tell you. You don't need me to remind you how an active investigation works, do you?"
I sigh heavily, the exhaustion of weeks of dead ends wearing me down. "Please don't."
"Just be patient. We're getting close," Mike says, but it feels hollow, like every other vague assurance I've heard.
My eyes narrow. "That's it? You drag me down here, ask me about some random nightclub, and give me nothing?"
Mike crosses his arms, unfazed. "You know we can't talk about this over the phone. Not with what's at stake. And there's nothing to give, Shane."
I stand up, frustration surging through me. "Fine. If you can't tell me anything, I'll figure it out myself." I head toward the door, the thought of doing nothing gnawing at me. "Maybe I'll stop by this Velvet Mirage myself and ask a few questions."
"Shane!" Mike's voice snaps with authority. "Sit down."
I ignore him, my hand already on the doorknob. I'm ready to act, to do something—anything.
"Shane, I will have you arrested before you leave this building," he says, his tone deadly serious.
I spin around, glaring at him. "On what charge?"
"Interfering with an active investigation," he states firmly, the threat hanging between us. I can see it in his eyes—he means it. There's something about that place. Something he's not telling me.
I drop my hand from the knob and sit back down. "What do you expect me to do? You tell me you can't help Nicole because she might be involved in something, but then you bring me here and leave me in the dark. I seem to be the only one who actually gives a damn about her. What do you expect from me, Mike? You want to arrest me? Fine. But you know I've got some of the best lawyers in the city. How long do you really think you can keep me here?"
Mike leans forward, eyes narrowing, his voice low. "Just long enough to make an arrest." I make a mental note of that; whatever is happening is going down soon.
I scoff. "You don't even know where she is. Hell, you're the one asking me for information. You're fumbling in the dark, and maybe Nicole's just not a priority for you. You want your big bust, your crime lords, whatever. But I want Nicole safe, and ifyou don't help me, I've got a fortune in the bank that will. If these guys want money, fine. I just want Nicole back."
Mike's jaw clenches, and for a moment, the room is thick with tension. Neither of us speaks, but I see him weighing his options, torn between his duty and our friendship.