Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
A lbert Sackler had really put a dampener on their Sunday.
Gia leaned back in her seat. “I take it that Ace hasn’t tracked her down?”
“She’s not staying at any other fancy hotels. And he’s checked high-end Airbnbs and other rentals, as well.”
“She won’t stay somewhere like that again. I know you don’t like her, but she isn’t dumb.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I’ll have Ace widen the search.”
“I know a few of her old hangouts. We could check them out.”
Saxon glanced at her, thought it over, then nodded. “Not exactly what I had planned for today. We need to change clothes.”
Back at Saxon’s, Gia changed into her favorite J Brand jeans, a pair of boots, and an olive-green tank with a lightweight, gray cardigan.
She met him in the kitchen.
He looked up and shook his head. “You still look like you should be at a fashion show.”
“I don’t do scruffy, Saxon.” She eyed him, her heart doing a little dance in her chest. “You should wear jeans more often.”
His jeans were faded in all the right places, and fit him in a way that made her mouth go dry. A navy-blue T-shirt stretched over his chest, the bands on the sleeves cutting into his muscled biceps. Sunglasses were hooked over the neckline.
Saxon Buchanan in casual mode. Yum.
“I spoke with Ace,” he said. “He’s running more searches.”
Gia swung her leather DKNY tote over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“You got your Ruger in there?”
“Yes, Mr. Overprotective.”
They headed out, the X6’s engine growling as Saxon drove them down the street. “Where to first?”
“A bar that Willow spends a lot of time at in the Mission District.”
When they pulled up at the bar, Saxon didn’t look happy. The place was worn, and more than a little seedy.
They walked inside and Gia headed for the bar. An older lady, with wrinkles around her eyes and gray-streaked hair in a ponytail, was wiping down the bar’s scarred, wooden surface.
“What can I get you?” she asked with a deep voice.
“Just a Diet Coke, please.” Gia sat on a stool. Saxon was pressed right up against her, scanning the bar.
The woman brought Gia her drink.
“I’m a friend of Willow Richards. Have you seen her?”
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Not for a week or two.”
Bummer . Gia let out a sigh.
“Last time she was here she didn’t pay her tab.”
“Sounds like Willow,” Gia said.
The bartender scowled. “She in trouble?”
“No,” Gia answered.
“Yes,” Saxon said.
Gia shot him a glare. The bartender just raised a brow.
“Yes.” Gia blew out a breath. “I’m trying to help her, but she doesn’t make it easy.”
The woman’s face softened minutely. “I’ve got a daughter like that. Been a few people in looking for Willow.”
Gia nodded. “That’s why I need to find her first.”
“Heard she’s been playing pool at Roll lately,” the woman said.
Gia smiled. “Thank you.” She took a long swallow of her drink and set some money on the bar. “How much was Willow’s tab?”
“No.” The woman shook her head. “Honey, take it from me, if you keep bailing them out, they never learn.”
The words reverberated around in Gia’s head, but she still felt a lick of guilt. When they walked outside, Saxon took Gia’s arm.
“Baby, Willow could’ve grabbed onto the hand you’ve held out to her numerous times. She’s had every chance to make different choices.”
Like he had. Vander’s friendship had helped Saxon make good choices in his life.
Gia blew out a breath. “I guess like your parents, she’s weak and selfish.”
Saxon ran a hand down Gia’s hair.
They got in the X6 and drove to Roll—a pool hall not far away.
“This place is owned by the local mafia,” Saxon said.
Gia groaned and opened her door. “Great.” Just what they needed, the mafia involved. “Same ones that were involved with Haven’s ex and the Monet theft?”
“These ones are the Italian version, not Russian. We’ll go in, look for Willow, then get out.”
They walked inside. It was well-lit and nicely decorated. Gia had been picturing smoke hanging in the air and dangerous-looking people everywhere. It looked normal.
They did a quick lap of the interior, but there was no sign of Willow.
When they got back in the SUV, Gia huffed out a breath.
“Contessa, don’t go into private investigations. Most of it is like this. Following leads, talking to people, and not getting what you need as fast as you want it.”
Together, they checked out a few more places, including an ex of Willow’s. The guy didn’t have nice things to say about her, and he hadn’t seen her in months.
With a sigh, Gia leaned back against the side of the SUV.
“Patience, Contessa. It’ll be over soon.” Saxon pulled her in for a hug.
Then what? What was next for them? She leaned into him, breathing in his scent. She couldn’t think about that right now. She needed to fix this Willow situation, and then she could deal with the fact that she was in love with Saxon.
The peal of Saxon’s cell phone cut through the air.
“Ace, talk to me.” Saxon scanned the sidewalk. “Uh-huh. Address?”
Gia straightened.
“We’ll head there now.” Saxon turned to Gia. “Ace found Willow. Shady Rest Motel near the airport.”
Gia’s eyes widened. “How did he find her?”
“He hacked some security cameras. She hadn’t used any ID, just paid cash, so we got lucky.”
Gia’s eyes popped wide. “He hacked some security cameras?”
Saxon grinned. “With Ace, it’s best not to ask for the details.”
They drove south toward the airport. As they got closer, a plane flew in low overhead.
Gia watched the huge jet descend toward the runway, suddenly trying to remember when the last time was that she had a vacation.
Maybe after this, she could convince Saxon to go away for a trip.
Preferably somewhere warm and balmy, with a pool bar.
They left the freeway and drove down a street lined with low-end motels. Most looked like they could be improved by a match and a can of gasoline. Saxon pulled into the Shady Rest. Gia grimaced. It had needed an update about two decades ago.
A couple of guys were having a cigarette under an awning, watching them with suspicious eyes.
“Do we need to rough up the hotel receptionist?” Gia asked.
Saxon raised a brow. “No. Usually some cash greases the wheels.”
“Oh.”
“Try not to sound so disappointed, Contessa.” He shook his head. “Besides, Ace gave me her room number.”
It was on the lower level, and they walked along the row of doors, then stopped. Saxon knocked, but there was no answer.
A second later, he angled his body and pulled out some lock picks. It took him literally two seconds to open the door.
As Gia looked inside, she grimaced again.
It was a real step down from the Fairmont.
Maybe a whole flight of steps down. An ugly, multicolored bedspread was draped over a sagging double bed.
The carpet was stained, and an ancient TV rested on a rickety table.
The smell of stale smoke hung in the air.
There were some clothes scattered around on the bed and the back of a chair.
Gia checked them out. “Female. Willow’s size.” She saw a pack of gum and coins resting on the table. “Big Red gum. Her favorite.”
“She can’t be far.” Saxon quickly and expertly searched the room and adjoining bathroom. “Must have the gems on her. Let’s wait in the car.”
They slipped out. As they crossed the parking lot, the two men stubbed out their cigarettes and approached.
“What do you two want?” one demanded.
“You don’t belong around here.” The other one eyed Saxon’s Rolex. “Nice watch.”
Gia shook her head. “You need an undercover watch. A Casio or something.”
Saxon looked at her, aghast. “I’m not wearing a Casio.”
She snickered.
“Hey,” one of the men barked.
Gia studied the pair carefully. They were both solid, not ripped, but had bulk. One had a tattoo of a skull on his neck, and the other one was bald, with a thick beard.
“We were just leaving,” Gia said cheerfully.
“I want the watch,” the bald one snapped at Saxon.
“And I want your earrings, Princess,” Skull Tat said to Gia.
She smiled. “No, I like these.”
The men both blinked, then scowled. “You want us to fuck you up?”
She sighed. “See my man?” She jerked a thumb at Saxon.
Both men glanced at him.
“He’s a badass. He can fuck you both up without even trying.”
“He’s a pretty boy.” Skull Tat sneered, then spat on the asphalt.
Gia opened her tote and pulled out her Ruger. She aimed it at Skull Tat’s chest. “I could do it myself.”
Saxon cursed, then moved. He shoved the bearded man into a nearby parked car.
Skull Tat roared and Saxon swiveled. He lunged and punched the man in the face. When the man staggered, Saxon followed with a hit to the gut and a hard chop to the back.
With a long groan, Skull Tat went down.
The bald, bearded man moved, bracing to attack Saxon. Gia swiveled around and slammed the butt of her gun into the back of his neck.
With a garbled cry, he collapsed.
“Buy a Casio.” Saxon straightened with a sniff. “I don’t want to hear that again.”
They turned to head to the SUV, and Saxon cursed.
Willow stood across the parking lot, staring at them.
Then she bolted.
A millisecond later, Saxon took off after her.
Gia followed. She tried to keep up, but one, her boots weren’t made for running, and two, she hated running. She lost sight of Saxon as he gave chase.
Moments, later she stopped, and bent over to suck in some air.
It wasn’t long before Saxon reappeared, a dark look on his face. “Lost her.”
“Damn.” Gia gave herself a second to absorb her disappointment. At least Willow was still alive.
Saxon’s lips twitched. “You need to work out more, Contessa.”
“Oh, no thanks.” She tilted her head. “Unless sex counts.”
He smiled. “It counts.”
* * *
It was Monday morning, and the results of taking Friday afternoon off meant Gia was extra busy.
Saxon was busy too. He sat at a desk by Ashley, busy on his laptop and phone. Gia craned her head and looked out her office door at him. Today, he wore a charcoal-gray suit and white shirt. So hot.
And despite a lot of great sex, she was still hungry for him.