My lips puckered in sorrow. “I haven’t been attending for the past two months. I’m pretty sure I lost my scholarship by now.”
“I’m so sorry. Listen, I…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I accidentally heard you speak with the waitress about the case. May I sit for a minute?”
“Sure.”
She slid into the booth across from me. Then she looked around, as if she was checking if someone was watching or listening, before she leaned forward and whispered, “If you really think they have her, the police aren’t the way to get her back.”
My brows hooked. “What do you mean?” I leaned forward to level with her. “Do you know anything about Annie?”
“Unfortunately not, but I know one thing. There’s no authority in town that can overpower the Night Skulls but one. That is the only kind of help that will be useful to get your sister back.”
My whole body buzzed with hope. “Who?”
A tight smile pressed her lips as she seemed to be contemplating her next words.
The danger lacing her caution reached me. Whatever she was about to tell me must have been hard to say. But I couldn’t let her not say it. I was desperate, and I was ready to do anything to bring Annie back to safety away from those monsters. I held Jo’s hand and squeezed gently. “I swear I won’t tell anyone it came from you. I promise.”
She nodded once. “Thank you. Can I borrow your phone?”
I gave it to her. She typed something and handed it back to me. When I looked at the screen, there was a note. All it said wasThe Godfather.
My eyes narrowed for a second. “You’re not talking about watching the movie to learn how to deal with bad guys, are you?”
She chuckled. “It’s a great movie with multiple life lessons, but no. I’m sure you’re smart enough to know what I’m referencing here.”
The Italian Mafia.
My skin broke in goosebumps just at the revelation alone. “I see. Even if I can bring myself to accept help from said authority,”as far as I understand they operate on favors, and I don’t think the money I have left from the gratuity can cover. What else can I give them instead?“I don’t know how to make that kind of connection.”
“It’s easier than you think. You just need more coffee,” she said.
I squinted at her, but then I blinked in surprise. My eyes switched to Bianca and then back at Jo. “Really?”
A softer smile brushed her lips as Jo rose. “Delete the note. If someone asked what I was doing with you, please tell them I was giving you my number in case you needed more help with the posters.”
“Of course. Thank you. But…why are you helping me with something so…you know?”
“I know how it feels to lose a member of your family, the one you love the most. I don’t wish it upon anyone.” She squeezed my hand before leaving the booth. “Good luck, Cameron. I really hope you find Annie.”
CHAPTER 4
Cameron
Bianca Zanetti couldn’t be Mafia. That kind, compassionate petite woman couldn’t be connected to such a ruthless organization.
But when two particular twin brothers in expensive Italian suits and cruel tattoos on their wrists walked in Alfarez, and at the same moment Bianca was practically having a panic attack and stayed in the kitchen instead of waiting on the tables of her section all the time the twins were there, my thoughts crumbled to the ground.
Something was up with her and the twins. I needed to figure out that connection if I had any chance of asking her to help me finding Annie.
I watched, one booth away, as another waitress went to the twins’ table, welcoming them back, mentioning their name. Lanza.TheLanza crime family that ruled over San Francisco. My salvation and only chance to get Annie back.
One of them was pissed off. “Where’s Bianca?”
The waitress bent over, showing them an ample amount of her cleavage. “She’s not in today. I’m covering for her.”
That’s a lie. Bianca is hiding in the kitchen.Why was Bianca forcing that girl to lie for her? If she’s connected to the Mafia like Jo said, why was Bianca so afraid to meet the Lanzas?
“What’s your name, bella?” he said.