Chapter 2 A DEADLY WARNING

He cannot kick me out of here. This is my only hope to know where my sister is and what exactly happened to her.

"My security personnel told you all there is to know. I understand your grief and determination to find your missing sister, but you won't find anything here. Just leave and don't show your shadow here ever again." He orders and racks to his feet.

And I spring with lightning speed, joining him up. A gesture that stops him in his tracks and disrupts the attention of people in the club. "I am sorry, Don, but I won't give up on the only chance I have to find out what happened to my sister." I stand my ground.

"This is not your work, young lady. Leave the investigation to the police and stick to your lane." Don Emilio says as he bores his eyes on me. They are an inferno of rage and authority.

Oh, the police? What have the inept police done so far? All of the other females' tales came to a dead end. And all they ever say about my sister's case is that they are working on it. At this point, I'm worried that if I don't take action, my sister's case will end up being just another lost cause.

I won't permit that to happen! No!

"Well, it seems like the police aren't helping. Do you know why that is so, Mr. Don?" I query, a very worrying sense crossing my thoughts.

And his smirk as he leans toward my face makes me want to believe my instincts.

"Since you think you are a smartass, why don't you figure that out on your way out?" He whispers in a tone that irks my demons.

His confidence stinks, but it also speaks volumes.

"You don't want me to expose your dirty laundry to the media, Don Emilio! In my capacity as a journalist, I have sway over the public. And we all know how much damage the public's influence can cause. Don't forget that! And yes, you may be right. I will leave the police to do their work, but I also have to do what I must! This isn't the last time we will see each other!" I turn around, grabbing Mary's hand as we turn on our heels.

Two paces away, Emilio beastly grabs my hand and pulls me back. I turn around, and as we face each other, our faces nearly touch. If it was the sense of rage and loathe that I saw earlier on his face, then I am dubious about how to interpret this current demeanor. It is more lethal. Extremely creepy.

He leans closer, feeding me the heat of his rage as he makes sure that his remarks are intended solely for my ears.

"You're walking down a very dangerous path, young lady! You won't like how this turns out in the end. Never say that I did not warn you!" As he storms away, he flashes me a menacing smile that leaves me speechless and puzzled.

A dangerous path? What does he mean?

"Bestie? We are interrupting the mood here. We better go." Mary says.

I cruise the corner of my eyes around the busy casino, and I realize that all eyes are on us. Up the stairs that lead to the next floor, I lock my eyes with the don. He is standing there, his hands dipped in his pockets, and his entire being banked on me as if assessing my next move.

Well, there is probably nothing I can get from here yet again. I need to try some other way to find my sister. But you and this cursed casino aren't off the hook, you moron! For all I know, you have given me more reasons to suspect this place.

I turn to leave while contemplating how to start my next move, but I must have been so absorbed in my thoughts that I failed to realize that I was in an extremely busy area. I bump into a waitress, and neither of us succeeds in stopping her from dropping. Drinks splash on us as they crash to the ground, and broken glass shards scatter all over the floor.

Shit! For heaven's sake, why didn't I look where I was going?

"I am so sorry, miss. Gosh! I am so sorry." I apologize as I go down on my knees and assist the poor waitress in gathering the broken shards of glass.

"It's okay. It is my fault. I wanted this to happen!" I snap my eyes at her, abandoning my mission of helping her. But she adds. "Act normal. Don't stare at me and don't speak." She speaks in a very low tone.

I embark on helping her again, curiosity itching me as to why she would want such a mishap to happen.

I lost track of where my hands were landing on the floor once more as my distracted thoughts continued to stray off in a different direction. I find my hand brushing hers on the floor. I was just about to take my hand away and apologize when she held my hand and pinned something to my palm.

While our other hands are occupied tidying up the mess, I gently drag my eyes to see what it is.

A piece of paper.

"Take this and leave." She mutters again, and whatever this piece contains, I have a feeling that it is something helpful.

I would like to thank her, but I can't. I hug the ball-like piece of paper in my palm, my heart throbbing with a ray of hope and anxiety.

"Won't you get into trouble with this?" I ask before standing up.

"Just go! Hurry!" She says, her eyes fixed on the floor to avoid arousing suspicions.

I pull myself up and hike out of the casino as fast as I can, with Mary struggling to catch up with me.

I cringe as a chilling breeze slaps my face outside, but I don't have time for the chill. Mary gets into the passenger seat as I jump behind the wheel.

I peel my palm and take the paper. I unfolded it.

There are only four scripted words on it:

TOMORROW, 9 AM. HERE!

"What does this mean?" Mary asks, scanning my face. "Do you think something is happening here tomorrow?" She adds.

The same questions banging my head. What could be happening here tomorrow?