38. Dmitri
38
DMITRI
I sit behind the office desk in my apartment, scrolling through the multiple images of women with track marks and grotesque living situations, appalled by their state. My inside guy had sent me the photos days ago, and I’d already shared them with Luca.
I detest my father’s existence. But what I struggle with the most is that he’s capable of something as deplorable as this. That I’m somehow blood-tied to a monster who could hurt women for the sake of profit.
The recent information he’s provided piques Luca’s and my interest. My informant had trailed and taken photos of a silent member who frequents their club. With the photos of his car and license plate, we were able to track him back to a warehouse by the docks, which he has been frequenting during the past week. We couldn’t hack the system within the warehouse without being detected, so Lorenzo has staked out the place ever since.
We’re certain it’s either drugs or guns.
My patience grows thin as I wait for his arrival because the one thing I’m certain of is that he will come out of his hiding soon. I can sense it.
I never claimed to be a good man, and if I were going to hell, holding onto this until I could set her free, then I’d condemn myself happily. I send the recent information to Luca knowing it will be the final bit of evidence he requires so we can make a move on The Lion just as we’d bargained.
My phone starts buzzing, and I answer it. It’s ten in the evening. A little earlier than what I usually call Elanee, but it’s a nice change that she’s calling me. I know she was out late with her client, so she must have finished by now.
“Hey, Cricket. Finish your meeting early?”
“Dmitri.” Her voice rattles.
I spring from my chair. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”
Labored breathing comes through on the other end. My mind goes to the worst. Has he got her? Where the fuck is Archer? Panic constricts my chest.
“I’m walking home, but I think someone’s following me,” she says quietly into the phone. “I think someone’s been watching my apartment, and I think they’re following me tonight.”
“Where are you?” I ask again. I know Archer will be close. But it’s not enough.
“I know we shouldn’t risk being seen together,” she says shakily, but I also know she wouldn’t call unless she were scared.
“Are you somewhere public?”
“Yes.”
Layla had suspected someone was watching her apartment. When Archer approached them last time, they left, and I wanted him to stay close to Layla in case something happened. Two sightings now. I wondered for how many nights they’d actually been there. Archer hadn’t seen the culprit since.
I hate how powerless I am to protect her, dangling her like some bait just to coax my father out to maintain this business with the Armani’s.
Now, the stakes are starting to become too great.
I grab my keys from the desk and storm for the door. “Where are you? I’m coming to get you.”
Consequences be damned.