“Sì. During this vacation, I met an American woman who’s perfect to fit the role as the new housekeeper at my villa.” Alessandro Lombardi's heavy breathing on the other end of the line made me laugh. “You know I'm generous. The woman needed money, and I decided to help.”
“Jesus. Your generosity will be the death of me,” Lombardi grumbled. “I need her name and age, at least.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, focusing on the dark highway. I knew little about that woman, and hadn't had time to ask for her to be investigated.
“Daisy... uh... Parker,” I racked my exhausted brain. “I don't remember her full name, but that should do it.”
“Yeah, I can work with that. Age?”
I snorted. “No idea, but she must be about twenty-two or twenty-three. At least, that’s what she looks like.”
“That doesn't help much if you want the documents in the next few hours.”
“Cazzo, Lombardi. I didn't have—” I stopped myself, biting my tongue so I wouldn't say too much. “Can you look into it for me?Per favore?”
Lombardi sighed. “Yes, yes.” He agreed. “Camillo?”
“Hmm?”
“Try to get some rest.”
I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. “Va bene.”
When the call ended, I leaned back in my seat, driving calmly, focusing as best I could on the road. I was exhausted, but luckily,I had bought a house a few minutes from Silver River. It was a spacious, secluded two-story mansion, perfect for dealing with uncomfortable matters.
Speaking of uncomfortable matters…
The American woman was now screaming that she couldn't breathe. Fed up with her whining, I turned on the radio and let the music drown out what little could be heard of her cries.
I knew she wasn't going to die.
Chapter 18
Camillo Vicari
July, 2025
Silver River, South Mississippi, USA
Daisy Parker was a pitiful sight when I pulled her out of the trunk. Her face was all red from crying and her clothes were covered in vomit. As soon as she set foot on the ground, she collapsed in front of me, shaking and gasping for air.
I rolled my eyes. I had no patience for drama.
“Andiamo,” I grunted, digging my hand into the hair at the back of her head, dragging her with me into the house.
Even though the mansion was isolated, I didn't want to take any chances.
She complied, keeping pace with me despite the tremors that still shook her body.
We entered the hall of the spacious home. It had been a dark, aging structure, but I renovated it as soon as it was bought. I wasn’t into minimalist crap, nor did I have a taste for anything fancy, so I asked for something simple. Practical. This resulted in an interior with light wood flooring, quality woodwork, and plaster walls with molding here and there. It was cozy enough for my stays in Mississippi whenever I visited my brother, and properly adapted and isolated to deal with unforeseen events.
I dragged Daisy upstairs, still holding her by the hair, only letting go when we reached theroom forspecial guests. It was a room like any other, except for the locks on the outside of the door and the bars on the windows. No one was getting out, and that was its exact purpose: to be a makeshift cell. Of course, it also had the added advantage of being soundproof, to control the noisiest guests.
Daisy dropped onto all fours in front of me, trying to control her own body.
“Motherfucker...” She gasped, and I raised an eyebrow. As expected, she wasn’t that weak. “I almost suffocated.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets, rolling the bullets that were still there between my fingers.