Page 63 of Deliverance

"I … I'm sorry, she's not available."

He tilted his head to the side slightly and furrowed his brow. I expected him to turn and leave since her mother was telling him she wasn't available, but instead, he questioned, "What do you mean she's not available?"

"She's under the weather," Saffron lied.

"I don't care. I want to see her."

"I'm sorry—"

"Do I need to call my father?" he asked, pulling his cell phone out of his coat.

He played the daddy card. I chuckled to myself.

"Now, you listen to me—"

"No," Frankie snapped. "Youlisten tome. One day soon, this will be my operation. I will become your boss. If you don't want to be put out on your ass in the middle of winter, I suggest you let me in. Do I make myself clear?"

"You're … you're taking over?" Saffron stammered.

How did she not realize Frankie would take over one day? Or maybe she didn't realize it would happen so soon, as Frankie had said. Was Frank retiring all together or was Frankie just taking over the kidnapping and trafficking aspects of the business?

He smiled wide. "I am."

"Since when?" Saffron questioned.

"Since my father started showing me the ropes." He looked at a couple walking to the set of elevators behind him before turning back and saying, "You have two seconds to send the elevator down, or I will be calling my father." He turned his phone toward the screen to show that Frank's contact info was pulled up, and all he needed to do was press a button for it to dial his father.

She didn't respond. Instead, she sent the elevator down and then turned to me. "Leave the cameras on and call me when he leaves."

"Yes, ma'am."

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. Frankie stepped out, and I nodded my greeting. "I don't think we've officially met," he stated. "Frankie Russo." He stuck out his hand.

I took it. "Ricardo."

"Not sure if Marcus told you, but I'll be taking over soon for my father. You'll be seeing a lot more of me."

"Yes, sir."

"And"—he turned toward the sitting room—"where is Madam?"

"She's in her room, sir."

"Okay. If you'll tell Zell that I'm here for her."

"Right away, sir."

I grabbed a phone hanging on the wall behind me, and dialed Erin's room. Each girl had a phone so we could tell them if they had a client, but it didn't dial out. "Ms. Zell has a visitor."

"Who is it?" Erin asked.

"It's Mr. Russo … Junior."

"Does Madam know?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll tell her."