Chapter 220

Chapter 220
Leonardo

"Absolutely not." Anthony drained his glass and set it down with finality. "Find someone else for your little spy mission. I'm too busy; business is up twenty percent this quarter."
"I need someone I can trust."
"Trust your security team. That's what you pay them for."
"This is different," I insisted. "It's personal. Victoria knows something, or she's looking for something specific. And it might be connected to these attacks."
Anthony laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Only you would get engaged to someone you suspect might be trying to destroy you."
"Strategic decision."
"Stupid decision," he countered. "But look, I've got three new locations opening, staffing issues at the downtown spot, and I'm negotiating with suppliers who keep raising prices. I don't have time to play detective."
I studied him for a moment. "You're lying. You're intrigued and you want to help, but you're making me work for it."
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe."
"Name your price."
"I don't need money from you, Leo. I need something else."
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"There's a beachfront property in Malibu. Perfect location for a new concept I've been developing. High-end beach club, exclusive membership, the works." His eyes gleamed with excitement. "But the owner won't sell to me. Says he had a 'bad experience' with a nightclub owner before."
"And?"
"And I need a partner with a more... respectable public image. Someone like Leonardo Salvatore, a legitimate businessman and philanthropist." He smirked. "Co-invest with me. Put your name on the paperwork. The old man will sell if he thinks you're involved."
I considered the offer. "What's the investment amount?"
"Four million for the property. Another two for renovations and launch."
"Six million for information on Victoria?" I shook my head. "Steep price for a background check."
Anthony shrugged. "Take it or leave it. But I guarantee whatever I find will be worth more than six million to you."
I drummed my fingers on the table, weighing my options. Anthony had connections I lacked in circles that might reveal Victoria's secrets.
"Three million now," I countered. "The rest contingent on what you find."
"Four now, two later, and I get controlling interest in the property."
"Deal." I extended my hand, which he shook firmly. "When can you start?"
"Already on it. Got some nice people who'll dig deeper than the FBI's background checks. I'll make calls as soon as you leave."
"Good." I took a sip of my scotch, savoring the burn. "I need everything you can find. Bank records, past relationships, any skeletons she's got hidden."
"So untrusting," Anthony chuckled. "But smart."
He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, then looked up with a sudden frown. "Hey, didn't you attend Benjamin's son, Michael Parker's birthday party tonight?"
I set my glass down slowly. "I didn't receive an invitation."
Anthony's eyebrows knitted together. "Weird. I didn't get an invite either. I just heard about it from one of my bartenders working the event."
"If neither of us got an invitation, why are we discussing it?" I kept my voice level, but something about the mention of Parker's son pricked at my attention.
Anthony's laugh had an edge to it. "Because it's fucking rude, that's why. Benjamin used to invite us to everything. Now his son doesn't even have the decency to invite his competitors to his birthday bash? How dare he?"
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe he wanted a small gathering."
"At Skyline with a hundred guests? Not exactly intimate." Anthony snorted. "But whatever. Not like I care."
"Focus on Victoria," I reminded him, finishing my drink. "That's the priority right now."
"Sure, sure." Anthony raised his glass. "To find dirt on your future wife."
I didn't join his toast. "She's not my wife."
"And if I do my job right, she never will be." He winked.
The server appeared at my elbow. "Another round, gentlemen?"
"No." I stood, buttoning my jacket. "I have somewhere to be."
Anthony looked surprised. "It's nearly midnight. Hot date?"
"Business never sleeps." I dropped several hundred-dollar bills on the table. "Call me when you have something concrete."
"Will do, boss." Anthony mock-saluted. "Try not to get engaged to anyone else before I report back."
I left him laughing at his own joke and made my way outside. The valet had my car waiting, engine purring softly in the cool night air.
"Everything alright, Mr. Salvatore?" the valet asked, handing me the keys.
"Fine." I slipped him a hundred-dollar bill. "Thanks for keeping her warm."
I slid into the driver's seat, the leather embracing me like an old friend. For a moment, I sat there, letting the engine's rumble vibrate through me. Anthony's words about Michael Parker's birthday party nagged at my thoughts. Not because I cared about some spoiled heir's celebration, but because of who might be there.
Hannah.
I pulled away from the curb, merging into the late-night traffic.
The streets of Los Angeles glistened under the streetlights, nearly empty at this hour. Perfect for thinking. Perfect for driving.
My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. James's name flashed on the dashboard display. I pulled into an empty parking lot outside a closed convenience store and killed the engine before answering.
"This better be important."
"It is." James's voice came through clear, urgent. "Conrad gave details on all the previous attacks. The hotel, the yacht, everything. But here's where it gets interesting." James paused, and I could hear papers shuffling. "He says there's another attack planned. Big one. Next month."
"Target?"
"You. At Dante's birthday party."
I gripped the phone tighter. "Specifics."
"Snipers. Three positions. Plus something about explosives in the valet area." James's voice dropped lower. "But that's not all. I've been analyzing the attack patterns, and there's something you need to know."
"Spit it out."
"Every major attack has happened when you were with Hannah. Every single one."
The air in the car suddenly felt thinner. "Coincidence."
"Maybe. But Conrad says that before he took the job, the client approached three other operators. All refused. Only Conrad was desperate enough to take it." James paused. "And here's the kicker – according to Conrad, they're specifically targeting times when you're with women. Conrad says they took the job right before you met Hannah. They're attacking when you're... distracted. Makes their job easier."
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles turning white. The thought of Hannah being caught in crossfire because of me twisted something deep in my gut.
"Find the client," I said flatly. "I don't care what it takes. Find who's behind this."
"On it, boss. We've got Conrad working with our tech guy now. If there's a trail, we'll find it."
"Call me the second you have anything. Even if it's 3 AM."
"Will do."