10. Nicki
Ican't meet Daniel at the precinct, as I don't want to draw that kind of attention to myself, not while I am trying to blend into the mafia world while I carry out my investigation. So I have asked him to meet me at a coffee shop in town.
Apart from not wanting to draw attention to myself, I also find it very difficult to walk into the building my father used to work in.
When I was younger, I would go there after school and do my homework in his office while he read over the files of the cases he was investigating. He has been a detective since I was born. It was his passion, he loved it. The pay was never great, and our family didn't live a lavish lifestyle, but we were happy, and we had what we needed.
While I sit sipping on a cappuccino and waiting for Daniel, I am struck by a thought that clenches my stomach. My father did not earn a lot, and I know he desperately wanted to provide more for my sister and me, and especially for my mother whom he loved dearly. He wanted to spoil her and treat her to beautiful things. I remember one day he came home with a necklace, and my mother got upset because it was way too expensive. She demanded that he return it, but he wouldn't.
He often spoke about how he wished he could send us to a better school and buy us nicer things - but we always brushed it off - happy with what we had.
What if my father was working with the Vitali family, out of desperation, to earn more money for his family? The thought doesn't sit well with me. My father was not the type of man to choose money over his family's safety. But I can't ignore any clues or ideas I have at this point. I have to be detached and emotionless, in my investigation.
"Nicki, wow, you look great. How have you been doing?"
Daniel sits down in the chair opposite me and waves the waiter over.
"I'll have the same as her. Thanks." He smiles.
"Hi, Danny. Thank you so much for meeting me here."
"It's no problem. You know your father was like a father to me as well. I am as determined as you are to get to the bottom of this."
Danny was partnered with my father as his protégée. He is young for a detective, but they saw his potential and teamed him up with my father so that he could learn from the best.
I know they were close. But my father was still careful to keep Danny out of certain cases because he felt he was not ready for it yet.
Since my father passed, in the years after his death, his own murder became a cold case, but Danny never really gave up on it.
When I found out he was still looking into it, I jumped at the opportunity to work with him.
His calm, confident demeanor is edged with a cool, boyish charm. He has so many girls after him, but he hardly seems to notice. His focus is his work.
He is tall with dark chocolate hair, cropped short, and he is well built as he likes to stay in shape for work. He's good-looking - someone I might've been attracted to if I didn't view him more like an older brother than anything else.
Besides, he doesn't stand a chance against Vitorio's rugged, devilish, drop-dead sexy wildness. I have never, in my life, met a man I am more attracted to than Vitorio. It isn't just Vitorio's look though, it is everything about him. The way he handles himself, his protective nature, the way he handles me.
"Ok, so, I assume you want to get right into it," Danny says after his coffee arrives. He pulls a folder out of his bag and places it on the table, tapping the brown manila cover. "That mysterious woman you told me about, I did some poking around. I didn't want to try and get access to the casino cameras - apart from that being a paperwork nightmare - it would also raise the alarm to the Vitali family that we were investigating, so I went another route."
I haven't told Danny about my interactions with Vitorio yet. I am still unsure about him and want to keep him separate from my own investigation for now.
"What route did you go? Did you find out anything?"
"I accessed all the security cameras around the casino, all the public cameras. I think I found someone who matches the description you gave me. Long black dress, petite, about your height. I mean it wasn't a lot to go on, but hey, I am good at what I do." Danny grins.
He did find out something.
"Danny - " I say, getting impatient.
"Sorry, yes, here." He opens the folder and takes out a photograph, which he slides across the table towards me.
I stare down at an image of a woman. Older than me. Pretty. Someone who took care of her appearance as she aged. She looks about forty.
"Who is she? What makes you think that she is definitely the one who approached me that night?"
"Because she was an associate of your father's. She knew him well, and he knew her. Don't know what their relationship was or how exactly they knew each other, but they did. Here's the kicker though. We thought she was dead. At the same time as your father's murder, she went missing, and years ago it was accepted that she was dead. Now she is back, and she was in contact with you."
The shock of what he has discovered slams into me like a sledgehammer. The woman who I was talking to was somehow involved or there at the time of my father's death. She does know what happened. But why? And how? And what role did she play in all of this?
"She has to know something," I say, feeling out of breath, as though the air is too thick to reach my lungs. Nervous, jittery energy floods me as I stare at her photograph.
"What is her name?" I ask.
"Sasha."
"Sasha who?"
"I don't know. In your father's notes, she was only referred to by her first name. I have a photograph of them together in a box. I can't find much about her on the system. All I know is that she was involved, somehow, and she knows something, and everyone who was investigating at the time eventually came to the conclusion that she had also died."
"Ok, but now we know she is alive. We have to find her." I say with overexcited enthusiasm. This is the first real piece of evidence that might lead us somewhere.
"Agreed."
"Where do we start?"
"At this nightclub." He slides another photograph across the table. It is a blurry image of the same woman, Sasha, walking into the nightclub doors. The club looks closed in the photo -- after hours, quiet, no crowds of people around.
"What was she doing there?" I wonder out loud.
"Exactly what I want to know. She clearly wasn't there for a party."
I look up at Danny's face. He looks as excited as I am with this new piece of info. As though we have a puzzle piece that is going to give us answers to questions we both so desperately want.
"Alright. So we are going clubbing then?" I ask.
"Yes. This weekend, there is an event there, I can't even remember what, but it doesn't matter. We just want to get inside and ask around a bit. Someone there knows her."
"Where is the club?"
"That's the only real problem, well, one of them. The Arcane Iris is a really shady place, filled with a lot of bad people that we really don't like. It is going to be dangerous. I would prefer if you sat this one out and let me go alone."
"You know that is not going to happen Danny. Besides, I would blend into a nightclub far better than you would." I smile.
He nods. I figured you'd say that. But, seriously, Nicki - this place is dangerous. I mean life-threatening dangerous.
"I get it. I'm still going."
"Alright. I will pick you up on Saturday then."
"I'll have to meet you there actually. I have a thing on Saturday night, but I will sneak out early."
"Fine, but don't you dare go inside without me."
I walk away from the coffee shop feeling encouraged, but tentative. At least we found something, we have a direction to move in.
My phone beeps, and Vitorio's name flashes at the top as I slide my finger across the screen to unlock it.
I open the message.
Vitorio: Nicki, you've been turning down all of my invitations. Please tell me you are coming on Saturday.
Me: I will be there.
Vitorio: You have been so quiet. Is everything alright? Do you need anything?
Me: Everything is fine. I'm looking forward to Saturday.
Vitorio: Me too. You know, I would love to have you over for dinner tonight if you are free?
Me: Sorry, I can't.
I bite my lip, it is so hard to turn him down when actually I really do want to see him.
He has been inviting me to so many different events, and I have done my best to avoid them. The only reason I said yes to the one on Saturday is because there are people there who might know something, and I don't usually have access to them.
I want to say yes to dinner with Vitorio. I want to spend time with him. But I am terrified of allowing my heart to open up to him. And every moment I spend with him has the intense effect of pulling me closer to him. It is such a difficult battle that I am facing. I don't know why or how, but he has caught me off guard with how much I already feel for him in such a short time.
I can't let my feelings cloud my judgment.
It isn't easy, but I need to focus.
On Saturday evening I arrive at Vitorio's penthouse at just after nine. The place is already thriving and busy with guests. As though he sensed I was walking through the door, he was right there to greet me when I walked in.
I fight the urge to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a kiss straight away.
"Hi." I grin.
"Hello." He grins back. "I thought maybe you weren't going to come, and you were going to message me with an apology or an excuse or something along those lines."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because I have been inviting you to see me for weeks, and you have been very good at avoiding me."
"Well, I'm here now."
"Yes, you are." His eyes graze over my dress. It's short, glittery blue, and dips low at the back. I was worried it would be overkill for his party, but I was relieved to see that most of the girls here were wearing over-the-top dresses. I actually chose it more for the club I am going to with Danny afterward.
"You look incredibly sexy." His deep voice vibrates through me as he leans towards me, his hand brushing down my back, and softly kisses my cheek.
He is playing it safe. I can see he wants to do more, just as much as I want to do more.
"Come in, let me show you around, and get you a martini with two olives." He takes my hand in his, and I smile as I look down at the way he intertwines his fingers through mine. It looks intimate and makes me feel safe.
We wander through the crowd of people, and I notice how many women are shooting me an annoyed glance. Green with jealousy, clearly wishing that they were the ones who had Vitorio's attention.
I can't hide the smirk on my face. It might be childish of me, but to be the girl who caught the attention of such an incredibly sexy man makes me feel quite special.
He could probably have anyone he wants, but for some reason, he is interested in me.
His home is incredible. The massive penthouse spreads across the entire top floor of the building. He talks to me about the art he has collected and shows me his library room. He leads me through to a more private section of the penthouse and smiles as we walk through the door, into his bedroom.
The dark theme suits him. With grey walls and black bedding, it is mysterious and sexy, just like him.
"And this is the bedroom." He says, with a touch of mischief in his voice.
I look around, trying not to let my thoughts run away with me.
"You have very good taste," I comment, sounding casual.
He wraps his hand around my arm and pulls me backward, spinning me around and pinning me against the wall.
"I have exceptional taste." His voice vibrates against me. His hand is pressed into the wall above my head, and his other arm is wrapped around my waist, pulling me right against his body.
My breath catches in my throat, and my skin begins to tingle.
He leans close, and his mouth is against mine before I can say anything.
I melt against his body, remembering what it is like to kiss him, and knowing exactly why I was trying so hard to avoid him. I am like putty in his hands. He could do anything he wanted to me right now. His hand drifts over my body, caressing my curves and I gasp as he pulls me harder into the kiss.
My entire body becomes alive with fire as he picks me up in his arms and wraps my legs around his waist.
We kiss for ages, and I feel his body reacting as he is pressed against me.
Suddenly he stops, gently lowering me to the ground and stepping away. He growls in agitation. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get so carried away."
Disappointment rushes through me. I don't want him to stop.
"Me either," I whisper.
I can see him fighting for control.
"Let's get you that drink." He smiles, with hungry eyes penetrating me.
I can't resist him. I can't stop thinking about him.
I rush towards him, my lips crashing into his again, and immediately he lifts me back into his arms, his cock is still hard and pressing against me as he wraps my legs around his waist.
He presses my back into the wall and kisses me with more passion and more ferocity than before.
The intensity of everything becomes like a liquid fire, searing every inch of me.
He rips his pants open and frees his cock, and I gasp loudly when I feel it pressing against my pussy.
His hand slips down my back, his fingers hooking beneath my panties as his hands glide beneath my ass, and his fingers dip into my pussy. I moan softly against his feverish kiss and he growls when he feels how wet I am.
Before either of us has a moment to think, he thrusts his cock into me.
I cry out, and he clasps his hand over my mouth. I push my hips towards him.
His cock spreads my pussy wide open, pushing deep into me, sending wild shivers through my body.
He begins to thrust, deeper and deeper each time, I gasp against his hand with each movement. My fingers are digging into his neck as I try to maintain control of myself, but I have never felt this amazing before feeling what it is like to have him inside me.
He moves faster, his thick cock pounding into me, faster and faster, until my legs are shaking.
He takes his hand off my mouth and speaks against my ear, husky and deep. "Don't make a sound, baby girl, and I want to look into your eyes when you come all over my cock."
My lips part as my body responds to his words. He locks his eyes with mine, feeling the way my pussy is pulsing over his cock, he knows I am on the edge of an orgasm.
He pushes his cock deep into me and rocks his hips, rubbing against me and making it so difficult for me to stay quiet.
A soft, restrained moan escapes my lips.
"Good girl." He smirks and fucks me even deeper.
I can't take it anymore. His eyes are like a drug, his cock is filling me to the brim, and every cell in my body is about to explode. I tilt my head back in ecstasy and he grabs my jaw, forcing me to look at him. "Eyes on me." He demands.
And the orgasm shoots through me like lightning. My pussy convulses and sucks his cock deeper into me, and I hold my breath to avoid screaming.
He keeps thrusting until I feel his cock grow bigger and harder, then suddenly he explodes into me. His eyes were still locked on mine.
Vitorio pulls his pants closed while I straighten my dress. He has a look of absolute satisfaction on his face.
When we both regain our composure again, he pulls me against him and kisses me softly.
"I wanted our first time to be something special." He says. "But I guess perhaps the second time will be more romantic."
I can't help but grin, and I feel my cheeks flush a rose red.
I can't believe I just did that. With all of his guests right outside, anyone could have caught us.
He takes my hand in his and leads me back towards the party.
I had every intention of asking around and trying to gather information for my investigation, but I couldn't seem to move away from Vitorio. It isn't that he won't let me, it's just that I don't want to.
He seems so protective of me, and so sincere in the way he treats me, but I am still terrified to trust him.
At midnight my phone buzzes, and I quickly check to see who it is. Danny. He is ready. I have to go. It's time to try and find out who that woman really is and what she knows.
"It was lovely - um - to see you." I turn to Vitorio.
"You are leaving already?" his brows knot together as he eyes my phone, obviously wondering who it was who messaged me.
"Yes, sorry, I am meeting another friend."
"Don't. Stay with me tonight."
"I - I wish I could actually." I smile, feeling the truth in my own words.
Vitorio nods and walks me out. He looks worried and thoughtful, and reluctant to let me go. I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. That same heated fire rushes through me all over again and I almost want to cancel on Danny and spend the night with Vitorio. But that is not what I am supposed to do. That will not help my family. I can't be so selfish.
"Are you going somewhere safe?" he asks, his eyes tight on me.
"I will be fine, Vitorio. You don't have to worry about me." I grin reassuringly.
He doesn't look impressed.
"Message me later. Just to let me know you are ok."
"I will," I say, as I walk away from him. He slides his hands into his pockets and his shirt pulls across his broad shoulders.
Focus, Nicki.
I bite my lip.
Focus.
Danny is waiting outside the club for me, and I smile as I run across the street to say hello. It turns out that he can actually blend in pretty well. He is dressed so differently from his usual attire, that I had to do a double take to make sure it was him.
"Where did you park? Fuck, this place is shady."
"I left my car at home and caught an Uber. I thought it would be better. I can just get a lift home with you if that's ok?"
"Good thinking."
We step up to the entrance. Music thunders against the air from inside the club. A stale smell wafts around the building.
The bouncers eye us with a cold expression, then step aside to let us in.
We walk down a narrow corridor, lit with red LED lights and foggy with smoke. People lean against the walls, dragging cigarettes, and wearing dark glasses, some are kissing, some are arguing. We brush past them, trying not to interrupt anyone.
As we enter the club, we walk directly onto the dance floor. The air is even thicker with smoke. Heavy, grey, choking smoke that smells foul.
Someone grabs my ass and I turn to see him grinning at me, a few of his teeth missing and his face covered in tattoos.
I decide to let it go, instead of challenging the asshole.
I don't want to be causing a scene as soon as I arrive.
Danny grabs my wrist and pulls me towards the bar. All the way through the dance floor men grab at me and push Danny. I was wrong. He doesn't look like he fits in. He is too clean. His clothes aren't torn and filthy. He doesn't look high as a kite and his face is not covered in tattoos and piercings.
At the bar, I breathe a sigh of relief to be out of the body lock of strange men.
Danny pulls me in front of him, keeping me between the bar and his body.
"I should never have let you come here." He says against my ear. He looks agitated.
"It's too late for that Danny. Let's just see what we can find out and then get out of here as quickly as possible. This place gives me the creeps." I can feel the evil lurking beneath the surface of every brick that makes up this building, but I have to do whatever it takes to find justice for my father, and I know Danny wants the same thing. My father was his friend and a mentor, and his murder doesn't deserve to end as a cold case. He wants to find answers as much as I do.
He nods, but his mouth is tight.
"Let's start at the most obvious place and have a chat with the people who work behind the bar."
I turn myself to face the bar, and Danny keeps his arms protectively around me, as my back presses against his muscular chest.
I wave someone down a girl who looks so skinny her bones are practically pushing through the thin material of her torn cropped top. She has thick bar piercings through her lips, and when she talks to me I can barely understand what she is saying. She smiles though and is friendly.
I order two drinks.
She leaves, and Danny pushes a photo into my hand. Sasha.
When the girls come back I place the photo on the counter. "I'm looking for my friend," I say loudly, to be heard over the thundering bass of the music.
She picks up the photo and frowns. She glances behind her and quickly hands it back to me.
"She isn't anyone's friend." She replies. "You should leave."
"Please, I really need to speak with her."
"I promise you, you need to leave." She starts looking nervous and glances behind herself at a camera pointing down from the back of the bar.
"Just go." She says more urgently.
Danny shoves the photograph back into his pocket.
"She's obviously here somewhere, otherwise why would that girl look so worried." He says as he pulls me away from the bar.
"What do we do?" I ask, glancing around, beginning to feel as nervous as the girl looked.
"Who the fuck are you?" A tall man with black teeth stands looming over us.
"We were just leaving," Danny replies as his eyes drift down to the massive knife in the guy's belt.
"Let me escort you out."
"That isn't - "
The guy grabs Danny around the throat and someone grabs me from behind. I scream, as I am lifted off my feet and their hands are all over my body.
I kick and fight as I watch the brute of a man's hand tighten over Danny's throat and he begins to choke.
Danny kicks out hard, and the man drops him. He ducks when the ogre swings at him. No one in the club seems bothered by any of this. It's like this is the norm here.
In a move too quick for me to follow, Danny punches the guy in the throat and the ogre hits the floor, spluttering and shaking.
Danny turns to see me fighting against another man, whose breath is so foul it is making me gag.
He punches the guy in the throat, and I am dropped to the floor, landing hard on my knees with a cry of pain.
Another man grabs Danny, and two more surround us. This is bad, very bad.
Two gunshots sound in the nightclub and people scream and duck. The music skids to a halt.
A man I don't know is standing calmly in the center of the dance floor.
"Mr. Vitali would be very displeased if you harmed these people in any way." The man says with absolute confidence and looking completely at ease.
I stare in shock. What the hell is going on?
Immediately the men who were surrounding us stepped away.
"Sorry, we had no idea. Please, let him know that we send our apologies." They mutter as they move even further away.
"Come on." He says to Danny and me.
Even though I don't know what is happening, and clearly Danny doesn't either, we don't hesitate to take the opportunity to follow him out of the club.
Danny grabs my arm, pulling me close to his side, wanting to protect me from any further harm. As we step out onto the streets though, we are confronted by a pitch-black Mercedes.
The door opens, and Danny stands ready.
Vitorio steps out of the car.
My heart leaps into my throat.
"What the hell is going on?" I demand, seeing him standing there.
"Do you know him?" Danny asks, confused.
"Yes." I snap, glaring at Vitorio. Why is he here? What business does he have here? Is he working with someone in this club? Does he know that woman?
"Nicki, I'm sorry. I followed you." Vitorio says looking guilty.
"You followed me?"
"When you left the party, I had a bad feeling, and I followed you. Look, I know it was wrong of me, but it turns out that I made the right choice. Come, let me drive you home."
Danny keeps his arm tightly around me. "I am driving her home." He says with force.
"I assure you, she will be more safe with me than she is with you. What the fuck were you thinking bringing her to a place like this?"
"Don't speak to him like that." I snap. "I am the one who chose to come here."
Vitorio sighs in frustration.
"How can I keep you safe if these are the choices you are going to be making?"
"I need to know the truth."
Danny shifts, unsure about what is going on. I turn towards him. "Sorry Danny, it's alright. Vitorio is a - um - friend of mine. You can go. I will hitch a ride home with him."
"Nicki are you sure?" he asks, not wanting to leave me.
I nod. "I'm sure."
Danny pulls his mouth tight. "Well, um, don't forget our meeting on Wednesday. Was it at three or five?" he asks, and I smile. He is using the code my father taught me when I was little. If I say three it means I am in danger. If I say five it means everything is alright.
"It was at five."
He squeezes my arm. "Alright. Ok. Five." He nods his head. "Message me later to let me know you are safe."
"I will."
Danny turns away from us and walks towards his car.
Vitorio nods to his bodyguard. "Make sure he gets home safe." He says.
The bodyguard climbs into the car parked behind the Mercedes and starts the engine, ready to escort Danny home.
Then Vitorio holds his car door open for me, and I climb into the back seat. He slides in next to me as his driver pulls out into the street.