Page 81 of Rayna's Daddy

“Kyler.” Agent Stanley shook my hand. I motioned for everyone to sit.

Agent Stanley gathered a few documents out of a black plastic folder. He laid them out on the table. “We have good intel that Santorini is in Italy.” He handed me a photo. I studied it. It was a grainy shot of a man, round and disheveled like Santorini, with his shirt untucked and his tie askew.

“When was this taken?” I asked.

“Yesterday morning.” Agent Stanley answered. “He’s been hauled up in one of the family homes outside of Rome. Our sources say he’s been there since the raid and has been stripped of his duties with the family and been told to lie low.”

“Who’s taken over his business?” Josh asked.

“We’re not sure.” Agent Stanley shrugged. “The Italians weren’t really into the girls, maybe the Albanians. Regardless, since Santorini is on the outs with his family, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. Rayna’s safe. Natalie has no help over here. She will be charged with human trafficking violations, and the locals will be charging her with prostitution, and a myriad of other sex-related crimes.”

“I thought prostitution was legal in Vegas.”

“It’s not in New York, California, New Jersey, and Arizona. All places Santorini had activity and anymore Natalie might give us before she realizes she’s incriminating herself.” Agent Stanley’s eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face.

“You’re enjoying this.” Chandler smirked.

“I am.” Agent Stanley nodded. “Anyway, I’d like it better if he was in custody somewhere, but we’ll sit on him in Italy until we get our case more solid, than press on Italian police to pick him up and extradite him.”

“Why not just pick him up now?” I asked.

“Long game people.” Agent Stanley gathered his papers. “This was never about Santorini. We put him out of business, two more operations open. But if getting him eliminates Santorini operations in the United States, then it’s a win.

Agent Stanley looked around.

“Where is Rayna anyway?” He stood up. “I’d like to get her official statement down at the office sometime soon.”

“Maybe in a few days.” I stood. “Not now.”

“Okay, well, let me know.” Agent Stanley went over a few more items of what he found and the status of the investigation. He reiterated he thought Rayna was safe, but I didn’t believe him. I didn’t want to admit what Rayna out of danger meant for us.

We needed more time. I shook the thought out of my hand.

“Gentleman.” Agent Stanley headed towards the door with his people in tow. “We’ll speak soon.”

Chandler and Patrick stayed behind.

“Where is Josh?” Chandler asked.

“Paris.” I rubbed my beard. “He’ll be back on Friday.”

“That’s good news about Rayna no longer being in danger.”

I faced Patrick.

“I still want her protected.” I glared.

“Yeah, of course.” Patrick held his hands up. “Whatever you need.” Patrick and his man left.

Chandler remained sitting while I paced back and forth, reading the report Agent Stanley had emailed me. It seems legit; they had Santorini in their crosshairs.

“You know you can’t keep her locked up in this apartment forever?” Chandler stared at me.

“I hadn’t intended to.” I shook my head and went back to my phone.

“It’s tempting though, right?” He stood.

“What?”