Chapter 82

Nico

I am nursing the finest Macallan whisky, swirling it around in my Waterford crystal tumbler. My mind is focused on Lucky and where she possibly could be. All we know is that she was taken outside the coffee shop and that the vehicle that took her away was last seen entering an airstrip off Manhattan. A private strip. Fucking great.

The chances of us getting a log any time soon is doubtful; however, Tony has assured me he has got our people on it. Money can literally buy you anything, that and force. That will definitely make someone talk. It’s not the way I personally like to do business anymore. However, where Lucky is concerned, I’d burn the world down.

Breathing seems difficult without her by my side. It feels as if a light has gone out and I am engulfed in darkness, the kind that nightmares are made of.

“Sir, do you need anything else this evening?” My butler asks me as he stands at the door of my office. I can make him out from the lights behind him in the entrance foyer. In my office it is dark like the night sky. Not even a full moon to grace us tonight.

“No, I’m good thank you. Please, go ahead and retire for the evening.”

“Very well, Sir. What about Antonio? Will he need anything when he arrives?”

“No, Tony will be fine. He and I have business to discuss then he will retire for the evening.”

“As you say, Sir. Please don’t hesitate if you need anything. Maria is on duty tonight if there is anything. We hope you will find Miss Lucky soon, Sir.”

“Me too,” I breathe out. My heart literally clenches; the dull ache is relentless. No more beating of drums in my heart without her by my side.

My butler turns and walks away as I return to gazing out of the window, which of course pays me no joy or reprieve since it is black outside. Ordinarily, all the lamps would be on and the uplighters, however, I have instructed my team that I do not want to draw attention to the property.

It’s bad enough they got close enough before. It won’t happen a second time. Not whilst I am still drawing breath. My father always told me to let your enemies be taken by surprise. It is the key element when under attack and who knows what this fucking Yelena has in store.

Let’s face it, she it appears has a heap of money at her disposal for this elaborate plan of hers. A private airfield does not come cheap nor having a plane. Fucking cunt! She won’t be smiling when I come face to face with her. What in the hell’s name does she even want with me?

As I knock back the amber liquid, the heat burns down the back of my throat into my stomach. It’s a sensation I have enjoyed ever since I had my first taste of Macallan given to me by my father when I was fourteen.

“It’s the drink of men, Nico,” he told me when I first drank from the crystal tumbler. It made me feel strong, like I was a man and in my father’s eyes I had become one. It was always made clear from an early age that instead of Tony taken over as heir to the Santangelo family business, it would be me.

The door alarm goes off to let the household know someone authorized has entered. It’s a sophisticated system; facial recognition brings forth a sound for each individual allowed into my castle. I know from the Rocky theme tune. Yes corny but not my choice, it is my elder brother’s. Tony has entered.

“Hello,” he calls out in his deep, resonating voice.

“In here,” I say loud enough for him to detect I am stuck in my office. In fact, I haven’t left my office except to eat since I arrived. Not that I even ate much. It seemed too luxurious when I know my fiancée, the only woman I have loved is holed up somewhere, with God only knows what happening to her. The thought of Lucky being held captive and possibly tortured stirs up a whole heap of emotions.

Anger like an erupting volcano burns in my chest and the pit of my stomach is on fire. I will kill anyone who hurts her with my own two hands. Fear for her life burdens my soul and makes my heart clench like it’s been held in a vice.

I hear my brother’s footsteps as he comes towards the office. Suddenly it is filled with light as he flicks on the wall switch. “What the fuck are you doing sitting in the dark like this?” he says as he comes striding towards the large desk I am sitting behind. He unbuttons his suit jacket and takes a seat, placing his tan, leather briefcase on the floor beside his feet. Easily, he crosses one leg over the other.

“Sitting in the dark isn’t going to solve anything, Brother,” he tells me.

“Drink?” I ask holding up the bottle.

“I can see you’ve been doing enough drinking for the both of us. What happened to keeping a clear head?”

“Fuck you. There isn’t anything wrong with my head.”

He lets out a long sigh. “I’ll take two fingers, thanks.”

“So, what have you got? Anything? Where did the plane fly to? We must have some answers by now.”

Tony inhales deeply. “We know it’s flight path was heading for Mexico.”

I almost choke on my own bile that sits at the back of my throat. “Fucking Mexico? Are you sure?”

Tony uncrosses his legs and stretches them out in front of him. “More sure than our mother is our mother. She’s been taken to Mexico. Where we don’t know. We have got eyes on the ground there. Trying to piece together which airstrip the plane landed in and if there are cameras around.”

Fuck, none of this is good. That’s cartel territory. The plane could have landed anywhere; they have all sorts of secret hiding places.

“Listen,” Tony says as he leans forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together forward. “This doesn’t look good, Nico. You need to start to prepare for the worst.”

“The fuck I do!” I lose it, my shit is fast unraveling. “I want her found and if we need to start fucking holding guns to heads, then that is what the fuck we’re going to do.” My fists slam on the desk causing it to vibrate.

He nods. I can see the dark marks under his eyes from lack of sleep. “You look like shit,” I tell him.

“You don’t look any better, Brother. We both need some sleep.”

“I am not sleeping until Lucky is found. You go up, your room is ready. If you need anything Maria is on duty.”

“I’m good.” He takes the tumbler I placed on his side of my office desk and knocks it back. “You won’t do her any good by being fucked up through lack of sleep.”

I wave my hand to dismiss him. Not something I often do, but I need the space to think. If she is in Mexico, I need to get my ass out there and fast.

“I’m leaving for Mexico in the hour. I am not sitting around here waiting like a lame fucking duck.” I couldn’t. Wherever Lucky is, I follow. Simple as night and day. I am going for my woman.

Tony gives me that look, the one that tells me I am not making the best decision. “Ain’t gonna do you any favors going into Cartel territory, Nico. You need to stay put. Wait for the call and take it from there. Leave our guys to handle the leg work.”

“No. I have to go.”

He exhales. “Fucking fine. I’m coming with you then.”