Page 63 of His Vicious Vow

“The women’s shelter here in Vegas was hit. It’s the Triad. They made it clear it was payback for the cargo we stopped and saved the other day.” Gaetano answers. We get in again, pressing the button for the floor my office is on. “Our men handled clean up but we need access to the cameras to find them.”

Luca’s jaw goes hard. “The Chinese and human trafficking. They would sell their own mothers if they got enough money.”

In the office, I dial into Valdez. No surprise he answers on the first ring, even less surprise he is aware of why I’m calling. “Mr. Leonetti I have the location of them and where they ran to. Where they ran to is filled with high-ranking members of the Triad. Things could very well get bad. A warning I feel I must extend to you before you make your decision.”

I don’t hesitate. “I’m aware of how deadly the Triad is. We lost thirteen men when we went up against the last time they tried bringing women through and they retaliated. They should have remembered that. It’s too bad. They failed to endure peace. Now they better be prepared for war.”

A dark chuckle comes through the line. “I should not have wasted my breath. How can I further be of service?”

Dominic enters. “I want at least a dozen men here protecting our women and the hotel. They had to know we’d hit back. I’m concerned they are attempting to draw us away.”

The thought sends a chill through me. It hadn’t crossed my mind.

Luca lifts his head to meet my gaze. “Whether it’s to draw us away or not, Carina is safe.”

I nod. I want to believe that. It doesn’t stop me from planting Bobby and two other men in the parking garage to watch over the weakest point of entry into the elevator. Carina is the only thing that matters to me. This whole hotel could be reduced to a pile of rubble and I couldn’t give a fuck as long as I have her.

Valdez is talking. I try to focus. It isn’t easy until I remember the faster I deal with this the faster I can get back to Carina.

CHAPTER 24

Sandro

It’s been two fucking days. But finally it’s over. The Triad are down more than twenty men. All we lost were the two from the initial attack. Even if this hadn’t ended in a sit down with the head of the Triad in Los Angeles who was over the person running Vegas where they apologized and agreed to inform their people no further trafficking would ever run through Vegas I would have considered it a win.

All I want to do is sleep for twenty-four fucking hours.

Walking through the penthouse I’m met by Natasha waiting in the living room. “Hey, how are you doing?”

“Better now that it’s over. How is Carina doing? Was she okay after her therapy appointment yesterday?” I hated missing it, especially with how hard she cried after her last appointment.

“Good, um, I need to talk to you—you know. It can wait. Get some sleep. Call me when you’re up.” She moves fast away and out of sight before I can stop her.

I shake my head. It’s a little after noon and although I hear an anime playing in Carina’s room I don’t stop the way I want to. Now that my bed is close I find it hard to stay on my feet.

After a very quick shower I dry off and slip naked into bed. I’m asleep seconds after I close my eyes.

I’m torn from sleep. I lay still for a minute, trying to figure out what woke me. Checking the clock on the bedside table I see it’s a little after seven. Seven hours should have been good, it’s not. I roll over to try and get a few more hours but something niggles at me. What woke me up?

The pit of my stomach won’t let me sleep. I get up and throw on a pair of sweats. I’ll grab some water or something. Opening my door, I’m stunned by the venom dripping from Bianca’s words coming clearly from the living room.

“He is working himself into his grave to get away from you. Sandro is going to end up dead and it will be all your fault. If it were any other woman he would have stayed—”

I find Bianca yelling at Carina who is cradling a mug of tea with her head down. I’m angry at Bianca for yelling but I don’t recognize the Carina accepting anyone yelling at her. Until I see the way her hands are trembling. “Bianca!” She goes still, eyes wide she turns to find me. “How dare you speak to Carina in such a manor. You are to treat her with respect. Pack a bag, I’ll have your things delivered once you’ve found a new place. For tonight you’re going back to the suite in old Vegas. If Gaetano kills you, it’s your own damn fault.

I ignore her cry of outrage as I go over to the house phone, realizing I left my phone in my room. I tell the hotel operator to connect me with him. He answers immediately. “I hate to bother you and you can say no but can Bianca stay with you for a few days? She can’t stay in the penthouse because of the shit she’s said to Carina. I’ll have Natasha handle taking her to check out other properties but for tonight I don’t want her around Carina.”

There’s a pause, it’s so long I think he’s going to say no. “Yeah, sure for a few days. I can manage not to kill her—mainly because I’ll be too busy to be at home.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I hang up to find Bianca shaking her head.

“I’m not staying with him.”

“Fine. Then figure out where you’re sleeping on your own. But you aren’t staying here.” I fire back at her.

“She’s making you miserable. She doesn’t care about you. I call her on it and I’m the bad guy? This is bullshit!” She nearly screams at me.

I ignore the pang of guilt. “Pack a bag. Or I will.”

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