บท 16: - First lead

**Naomis point of view**

Today is monday dear readers, we left Lorenzo and Adrena on sunday, so now we're one day ahead again 😂

Enjoy! 🌟

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I should have went to school today, but my mind was elsewhere. I attend a dancing school in New Jersey – not to brag, but it's one of the top ten most advanced dance schools in the world.

As I woke up, I got dressed as the first thing. I was wearing my favorite Juicy Couture tracksuit, in dark purple. Taking one last glance at my ass in the mirror, I knew I was ready to start the day.

I walked to the kitchen and found a note written by my father:

''Fire in Millburn, will be home late.''

Being a firefighter, my father often has to go to work at the strangest hours. But it only made my plan easier, since I haven't told him about Adrena yet – she's like a daughter to him, and I don't want to worry him.

I made my usual morning coffee. Today was Monday, and it's been three whole days since I've last heard from Adrena. To think that she was kidnapped by some guy in the Italian mafia, was too much to handle. I simply couldn't believe it.

Meeting Peter, who turned out to be working for the FBI, also added to the craziness I was experiencing. As I finished my coffee, I texted him.

''Ready to catch some bad guys? ;)''

A few minutes later, I got a reply:

''Definitely. I'll pick you up in an hour.''

I felt like such a bad friend. Of course I worried about Adrena – but sickly as it was, I was excited to see Peter, even though it was in the worst of terms. If Adrena could see me right now, she would roll her eyes at me, and tell me to get my act together. But she wasn't.

I spend the following hour applying makeup and tidying my room a little. As I walked out, I left a note for my dad:

''In school – no fire, but will be home late.''

Peter waited downstairs in his car, and waved at me as he saw me walk out. He had a goofy smile on his face, that made me laugh as I stepped inside the car.

''I like your… tracksuit. It's refreshing.'' He said, as an opening line. He was such a nerd. I glanced at the inside of the car, and noticed how clean it was. And then I looked at Peter. He was wearing a white shirt, with blue jeans and white Nike sneakers.

He actually looked good. His dark blonde hair was styled perfectly with gel, and he had a small silver earring in his ear. He was actually quite stylish.

''I like your earing. It's…. refreshing?''

He laughed. ''I don't know why I said that. But you look good Naomi. Are you feeling better today?''

I gave him a nod, and put on my seatbelt. ''Lot better. But I really need for us to find her now. I can't go one more day without her!''

He gave me a comforting smile, as he started the car. ''I'm sure we'll find her soon.''

We arrived to his apartment twenty minutes later. The millions stacks of files in his living room were at the same exact spot as last night. ''Yeah, sorry, it's a little messy. But look at this -'

He walked towards the desk and took out a piece of paper. He handed it to me, and looked at me intensely as I read it. It was a picture of a man, perhaps in his early twenties. He had blonde hair, and a smirk on his face, on the photo. He was attractive, but had a creepy vibe.

''Do you recognize him?'' Peter asked curiously. I shook my head as a response, with a confused look on my face.

''No, should i?''

''We believe that he was also at the nightclub last Friday, and perhaps even talked with Adrena.''

My heart skipped a beat, as I heard her name. ''Wait, what? Who is he?''

He took the paper out of my hand, and leaded me towards his table and signaled that I should sit down. He did the same, and seated himself across from me.

''His name is Dimitri Ikowski. He's a member of the Russian mafia D'yavol, and he's probably in the high rank, maybe even the next leader.''

''Okay… What does he has to do with this?''

''We have video surveillance that showed Dimitri talking to a girl, that matches Adrena's description. They were standing next to the bar, but she had her back towards the camera, so we're not sure it's her. We need your help.''

''I'll do anything! What do you want me to do?''

He went for the video tape, and inserted the USB drive in his laptop that stood on the table. He didn't even have to press play, I could already see it crystal clear.

It was Adrena, no doubt about it. She was standing awkwardly, like only she does it, with her arms crossed. I immediately recognized the jeans, and the black tube top, that I bought with her last week.

''It's definitely Adrena. But why is she talking with… him?''

''There's no sound, so we can't hear their conversation. But look at this-'' the video continued. It showed Adrena and Dimitri walking together, towards a black door. And then they disappeared, as they walked inside the door.

''Do you have video tapes from the room they walked into?''

''No. It's the VIP lounge, so there's no video surveillance. Rich pricks wants to keep their secrets hidden, no wonder why..''

I felt like the answer we were looking for, was right behind that door. ''What about later the same evening? Doesn't it show her go out again?'' I asked, with my eyes glued to the computer screen.

''No, only one goes out. Dimitri. This is the last living proof of Adrena.''

''Peter!'' I yelled.

''Sorry. Didn't mean to put it like that, of course she's still alive.'' I could see his hesitation, and it made me panic.

''Do you think she's… dead?'' I asked nervously. My stomach turned, just by the thought.

''No! I don't think she's dead. But I'm positive she's in danger. But no, not dead. The Italian mafia doesn't have a murder record that includes women.''

''So why did they kidnap her?''

''I don't know Naomi. Maybe Dimitri interfered with Lorenzo while she was there, maybe she went with him willingly? That's why you're here, so we can figure it out.''

I got up, and went for the kitchen. I needed a glass of water, and maybe a couple of painkillers – this whole mess made my head hurt. As I grabbed a glass from the cabinet, I suddenly felt a hand on my back.

''I'll make us some lunch. Sit-'' he pointed at the small table setting that stood beside the stove. I watched him, while he prepared the food. Now and then, he caught me staring and blushed a little.

I broke the silence and asked ''so what do you suggest we do now?''

He placed two plates with omelets on the table, and seated across from me. ''I have something in mind. But it could be dangerous, so if you don't feel comfortable doing it, I totally understand!''

With half an omelet already in my mouth, I gaped. ''What?''

''I want you to go to Lorenzo's apartment in Brooklyn, to see if he's home. You have to pretend that you're a prostitute, and-''

''WHAT? Are you insane? Absolutely not!'' I interrupted him. I accidentally dropped my fork, and knocked over a glass of water, because of my reaction. Peter quickly got up and went for a towel, to wipe the water away. I muttered ''sorry'', as he reseated.

''But I'm not going to pretend to be a prostitute. Wait..? Do you think I look like a prostitute?'' I asked, with my eyebrow raised. He instantly panicked, and began fidgeting with his fingers.

''Of-o-of course not! I think you look beautifu-… that's not the point.'' He sighed.

Wow, he was really in deep waters.

''So you think I'm beautiful?''

He blushed again, but hided it, by letting out a nervous laugh. ''Yes, I think you're beautiful Naomi. But I think you know that, so lets focus on what's important, okay?''

I knew what was at stake, but I had a thing with humor during hard times. When my mother left me and my dad, I laughed the whole time it took for her to get her car out of the driveway.

''Okay. Then I guess I'm going to have to be a prostitute.'' I let out a sight. Not exactly how I imagined my Monday to turn out.

We finished eating, and spent the time talking about my dancing. I showed him a few videos of my newest choreographies, and also a few photos of me and Adrena.

''She looks like a nice girl,'' he added.

''The best kind of girl,'' I said, with a lump in my throat.

I got up, and grabbed both our plates, and walked towards the sink with them in my hands.

''Just leave it – I'll take care of it later. Are you ready to leave? It's a pretty long drive.''

He was right. It took about an hour to drive from his place in New Jersey, to Lorenzo's apartment in Brooklyn. We spent the time in the car listening to each other's favorite music. We both voted, and I won – I have the best taste in music.

''Here it is-'' Peter added, as he parked his car. I looked out the window and immediately saw the building. It was huge, several floors, almost entirely made of glass. I felt a kick in my stomach, as I realized what was about to happen.

''You okay?'' he asked concerned. I was shaking a little, but quickly gained my strength and laughed it off.

''Of course!'' I zipped my shirt a few inches down, so my chest was more revealed. I opened my purse, and grabbed my mirror and lip gloss. I knew Peter was staring, as I applied it. I turned the mirror a little, so I could catch him staring – he quickly turned his head and coughed.

''I'm ready. Do I fit the part?'' I asked, as I adjusted my shirt – meaning: making my breasts more visible.

''I feel like this is a trick question. But you look beautiful, Naomi. I'll be right here, if anything happens. One last thing-''

''Yes?''

''This is off the record – no one from the FBI knows you're here, so if anything happens, you call me, okay?''

Why didn't he say that sooner?

''Mhm, okay.. But what if something goes wrong?'' I asked.

''Then I'll be right here. Here-'' he handed me a small microphone. ''Wear this. If anything happens, I'll be there within a second. Trust me, please?''

I nodded, not sure if I really did trust him. I walked out the car, and closed the door behind me. With determined steps, I walked towards the door that would lead me inside a lobby. A doorman was guarding the front, but I wasn't scared – all rich people has a doorman. Without looking at the man, I walked right past him with my head up high.

''Hey, you! Stop!'' he yelled, as my hand reached the doorknob. I slowly turned my head, facing him, and gave him the most innocent smile I could.

''Yes, sir?''

He blushed, and adjusted his uniform. ''Sorry. Let me get the door for you,'' he said as he opened it for me.

Men.. am I right?

I gasped as I got inside. The lobby looked like an actual hotel, and huge chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling. To think that such a gem was hidden in Brooklyn!

I went for the elevator, and searched for Lorenzo's name, but it wasn't there. Did Peter misread the address?

Behind me, I noticed a small reception.

''Hello. I'm here to visit a Lorenzo Mancini?''

The lady behind the counter gave me a suspicious look, and didn't look like someone who knew a Lorenzo Mancini - or at least not interested in telling me.

''There no one with that name here, miss.'' She gave me the elevator stare, as she spoke. I forgot what I was wearing and quickly zipped my shirt up again, so my cleavage was hidden.

''Oh. I'm looking for a man with dark brown/black hair, who speaks Italian and wears a suit. Does it ring a bell?'' It wasn't much to go with, but I was desperate.

She thought for a second, but then she said: ''I haven't seen him.''

We both got distracted, as a group of six or seven men walked out of an elevator. They looked serious, and rather frightening. They were all wearing black suits.

''Who are they?'' I asked the lady in the reception. She just shook her head, which told me to keep my mouth shut. One of the men, the one who walked in front gave both me and the lady a strange look, before they left the building. What was that all about?

I gave the lady a last look, before I turned around and walked towards the door to go back to Peter. I only managed to take a few steps, before someone grabbed my shoulder.

''Two days ago, a man who fits your description walked through the lobby with a girl with blonde hair. I can't help you with more than that, so please leave.''

She looked so scared.

''What are you afraid of? Lady, if you need help then-''

''Don't! It's not safe for you here. The Mancini's don't like intruders. If the girl he was with was your friend, then I'm sorry. Don't try and save her, it'll cost you your life.'' She looked around the lobby suspiciously, and took a few steps back, as one of the men from before returned.

''Is there a problem here?'' he asked, as he approached us. He was tall, had brown semi-long curly hair and a black beard. Probably in his late sixties.

''Nope, I was just applying for a job as a cleaner – seems like the kind of place that has a lot of dirty laundry. But they were all booked, so imma just head out-'' I said, as I walked past him. I thought he would stop me, but he didn't.

As I opened the front door, I heard loud yelling from behind. I chose not to turn around.

The city was buzzing, and it was hot out today. I stood for a second, on the street and glanced at my surroundings. Two days ago, Adrena was standing on the exact same concrete as where i stand right now. It felt good to finally have a lead.

I will find you, Adrena, even if it costs me my life.