Chapter 272: It’s Been A While, Darling.
[Summit Partners]
A knock came at Atlas’s office before the door opened. Peeking in was Allen, checking in on his boss.
"Sir," he called as he walked in. "The twins just called. They said they were with your sister."
Atlas didn’t stop working as he answered, "I know."
Of course he knew, Allen thought.
He cleared his throat, checking the time. But before he could speak his mind, Atlas beat him to it.
"Go home," said Atlas with a brief look. "Lola said she’s coming. I’m waiting for her."
Allen smiled. "I still have some papers to finish, but I will once I’m done." He idled momentarily, eyes on the busy man behind the desk. His smile stretched before he excused himself, leaving Atlas alone while the man waited for his date.
Once Allen closed the door, Atlas stopped. He glanced at the time and thought of Lola. It hadn’t been that long since she asked him for a date, so he didn’t dwell on it and killed time until she arrived.
*****
"Looney, we don’t want to hurt you. Do not give us a reason to."
Lola controlled her breathing, assessing the weapon pressed against the back of her head just by how it felt. She didn’t need to know who was holding her at gunpoint; just how he addressed her was enough to know who sent them.
Arching a brow, she heard a loud screech in the parking space. A few cars drifted to a stop before men jumped out of them. Seeing how many people there were, she dropped whatever plan was forming in her head.
She scoffed. "Vito sent all of you just to get me, huh?" She raised her hands and glanced over her shoulder. "I’m coming. Put the gun down."
But the man didn’t put the gun down, keeping it pointed at her even when he took a step back. Lola stepped away from the car and glanced at the man who had held her at gunpoint. The second she saw who it was, a light scoff escaped her.
"It’s been a while, Salvo," she said with a nod.
"Lune." The man, Salvo, finally put his gun down. "Unfortunately, I have to say it has been."
Their lips curled into subtle smiles, but their eyes glinted with hostility. Even Lola wore a look she hadn’t worn for a long time.
"I was given an order to take you, even if I have to shoot your foot," Salvo tipped his head toward the car where some of their men were waiting. "But I had a recent injury. So, my aim has been horrible, and I might accidentally blow your head off. It’d be best not to make me use it."
"You’ve never been Vito’s best shooter," she smirked in ridicule as she sauntered toward the car. "Why do you think I’m not putting up a fight?"
The sneer on Salvo’s face soured. He glared at her back as she casually walked past a few of their men. "Still as irritating as ever," he hissed before signaling his men. "Take her."
*
*
*
Salvo was one of Vito’s most loyal dogs and someone who had always shown dissatisfaction toward Lola. He had always been waiting for a chance to blow her head off just because she defied Vito at every opportunity. She knew Salvo would shoot her leg if she gave him the chance, but her leg was the least of her concerns.
People would start coming to the building the next day. The last thing she wanted was shell casings lying around the parking space because a battle had occurred.
So, here she was, following a large group down a private hallway of a luxury resort right next to a country club. Looking around, she ran her tongue along her inner cheek. Soon, they reached a door that led to an empty lounge.
"I’ll take her," Salvo said, stopping ahead and giving the men a look. "Go."
Lola blinked as she watched the men leave. Earlier, their group was too large—it was suffocating. But after every door and checkpoint, their number started to shrink as some left for their posts or elsewhere. Now, it was just Salvo and her.
"You’re not going to kill me now that it’s only the two of us, are you?" she quipped, making Salvo scowl at her. "Just so you know, your chances of killing me were higher with all those guys around."
"Just shut up and follow me," Salvo grumbled as he headed to the bookshelves.
Lola stood a few paces behind him, watching as he took a figurine from the shelf. A second later, the shelf trembled and moved, revealing a secret door.
"Classic Vito," she breathed. "Always hiding behind secret doors."
Salvo glared back at her but said nothing. He stepped aside.
"Go," he ordered. "I’ll follow behind."
"Scared I’ll come up behind you?" she mocked as she walked toward him, only to stop just before him. "Salvo, you have to loosen up a bit. If I planned to do that, I would’ve when you were fumbling for the switch."
Click!
Salvo pulled up his gun and pointed it at her chest. "I told you to shut up. The situation now is different, Looney. You are no longer part of the family. There’s nothing stopping me from putting a hole in your head."
"..." Lola just stared at him, his malice no different from before. She scoffed in amusement. "How cute."
Having said that, she resumed her steps and walked into the secret passage that led to the place currently keeping one of the most dangerous men in the underground. The walk wasn’t long, nor was it short enough to surprise her. It took minutes for Lola and Salvo to reach another door, which Salvo opened with a passcode before they gained access.
As Lola walked in, she took in the sight. It appeared to be the same lounge as the one where Salvo had sent his men away.
"Boss, she’s here," Salvo announced, stopping near the round area with connecting sofas.
Lola shifted her eyes to it, catching the back of a man’s head. His red hair was unruly, as if he had just gotten out of bed, one arm spread over the backrest of the couch, displaying the art on his skin.
"What are you still doing?" Salvo suddenly looked back at her. "Come here."
The little emotion on her face disappeared as she dragged her feet to Salvo and stopped beside him. When she fluttered her eyelashes at the man seated on the round couch, the man lifted his silver eyes at the same time.
"Looney," came a coarse voice, his eyes narrowing at her. "It’s been a while, darling."