Page 59 of The Mafia's Captive

“I hear Saccone is coming.”

“Fuck,” he mutters.

“I was maybe a little overly cautious, but I sent Corina away with Nico.”

“You’re not being too cautious. Saccone has a relationship with the Vannucci family. They’re in laws or something. He might drop by.”

“We can’t let him in.”

“It’s tough considering we’re basically fighting a cold war at this point. My new father-in-law is on our side, of course, but he might not be able to not let Saccone in.”

“Fuck.”

“I don’t think anything will happen. I mean, she’s not here anymore.” Gio looks past me and then says, “Speak of the devil.”

I turn in the direction of his gaze and see Saccone greeting an embarrassed Vannucci. His gaze wanders over to us, unsure of what to do next. “Get your bride out of here,” I tell Gio. “I have a feeling things are going to take nasty turn.”

“Please don’t turn this into a blood wedding.”

“I won’t draw fire if he doesn’t.” I tap his shoulder to reassure him and leave him for the person who was now staring at me as if he wants to rip me apart. It’s the first time in a long time, I’ve seen him in person. I always thought him taller and more menacing. A villain of my nightmares. The original is disappointing. He’s shorter, older, fatter, and balding. His skin is worn from hard living and frail with age. If I didn’t know him, I would think him harmless.

“Saccone,” I say to him. “Never thought we would see you here.”

“I wanted to congratulate my friend on his daughter getting married.”

Vannucci looks unsure. He glances back and forth between me and Saccone. He’s looking for a cue from me on how to handle this, I realize. If I ask Saccone to leave, he might refuse or, worse, turn this into a gunfight. Maybe he is asking for a gunfight and will seek it out either way. I have to tread carefully. Saccone didn’t come alone. He has at least about four bodyguards with him. We could easily take him down if he chooses violence, so he’ll probably not. I smile at both of them. “I didn’t know you were friends.”

Vannucci waves a hand. “Old friends. Very old. His cousin was once married to my brother. Marriage didn’t work out, unfortunately.”

“Here’s to hoping this one does,” Saccone says. The hidden meaning behind his words is obvious. He wishes the opposite. “Where’s the bride and groom?” he looks around and I do too. Gio and his bride are no longer at the table. They aren’t in the crowd either. Good on Gio hiding her away. “I want to congratulate them,” Saccone adds.

“I’ll tell them you wished them well.

He bares his teeth and doesn’t say anything. A stare contest ensues for a few seconds until he relents and turns his attention back to Vannucci. “I see that I’m not welcome. I’ll take my leave, Vannucci.”

“Please stay,” Vannucci replies. It sounds less like a plea and more like an obligatory manner of speech. Saccone reads this accurately and replies, “No need. Give my regards to the bride and groom.” He gives me one more ice-cold glance and then leaves.

Vannucci lets out a deep sigh. “I had no idea he was going to come.” He seems remorseful enough to convince me that this wasn’t his doing.

“I understand. He probably did it to get a rile out of me. The old man can’t resist.” I leave him and take out my phone. “He’s gone,” I say in a text to Gio. I don’t wait for him to respond and instead call Nico. “Where is she?”

“Boarding the plane,” he responds.

“Saccone came.”

“Did he do anything?”

“No. But Nico, I think he knows.”

♠

The apartment has a chilling silence when I get back. Immediately, I know that something is wrong. Everything is immaculate. Clean. Too clean. Odd. That only compounds my worries. Corina hasn’t been responding to my calls or texts. I call Rob. Nico told me he left her in his care. Rob’s not answering. There’s a phone ringing inside the quiet apartment. I make my way towards it. It’s in the living room, buried a little into the couch. It’s Rob’s phone.

A chill runs down my spine. He never leaves his phone. Ever. I turn to Colin. “Look around and see if we aren’t the only ones in here.” He nods and takes out his gun. I take out mine too and try Corina’s number again. Voicemail again. I make my way to her room. No one’s there and neither is there any sign that might point me to where she could be. I try to hope for the best. Maybe they’re out and left their phones. I’m going to be very mad if that’s the case. They both should know better. I concentrate on that anger and the comfort it brings. I get out of her room and meet Colin in the hallway. He shrugs.

“No one?”

“None.”

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