Page 28 of Marco

The call ends abruptly. I stare at the phone, hands shaking. It was her. She's alive. But for how long? I must act quickly.

My relief fuels my determination even more. I bark orders to trace the number, monitor for another call. I don't care what the Rosales want in return. Nothing is off the table when it comes to getting Alessia back.

I failed to protect her once from the dangers of my world. I won't fail her again. I'm coming for you, my love. Just hold on a little longer.

I pace my office like a caged lion, waiting for any scrap of information on Alessia's whereabouts.

My men report that the brief call from her came from a burner phone, untraceable. Another dead end.

I sweep my arm across my desk in frustration, sending papers and books crashing to the floor. How can there be no clues, no trail to follow? I'm supposed to have eyes and ears across this entire city.

I hear a soft knock at the door. Luca steps in hesitantly, wary of my foul mood.

"What?" I snap.

"The Rosales just sent another message. They want to meet tonight to discuss terms."

"Terms?" I repeat in disgust. "They kidnap and hold Alessia hostage, and now they want to negotiate terms? There will be no terms except her safe return!"

Luca shifts his weight. "Marco...we have to be smart about this. They know you'll do anything to get Alessia back. We can't appear too desperate."

I step close to Luca, glaring down at him. "I don't care about appearances. I want her back with me by any means necessary."

He swallows but stands firm. "I know. We all do. But if we act rashly, she could end up hurt...or worse." His voice drops on those last words.

As much as I want to rage, I know Luca speaks the truth. If I charge in blindly, Alessia's life is at greater risk. But the thought of bargaining with those rats, of playing their games while Alessia suffers...it makes my blood boil.

"Set the meet for tonight," I concede through gritted teeth. "But they'll regret this, Luca. They'll regret the day they dared lay a hand on her."

My temper may be restrained for now, but once Alessia is safe, the Rosales syndicate will feel the full force of my wrath. They will learn what happens when you cross Marco De Luca and take what is most precious to him.

I nod to Luca and he steps away to make the arrangements, his shoulders tense with unease. I know he and the others think my feelings for Alessia have made me reckless, blinded me to the realities of our business. Perhaps they're right. But I can't change how I feel about her. From the moment I saw her fiery and kind spirit, she captivated me in a way no other woman has.

Now as I stare out the window into the darkness, imagining her out there scared and alone, emotion wells up in me that I've never experienced before. Guilt that I brought her into this violent world gnaws at me. I should have protected her, kept her far away from the depraved machinations of the mafia. But instead I selfishly bound her to me, wanting to possess that radiant light. And now it may be extinguished because of my carelessness.

I slam my fist against the wall, the pain barely registering. Anguish and helplessness war within me. I've always been in control, commanding others' fates. But now Alessia's life hangs by a thread and I'm powerless to save her. The thought of losing her is unbearable. She's become far more to me than a strategic marriage or entertainment. Somewhere along the way, she stole my heart.

And if she dies, a part of me will die with her. I swear on my life, I will get her back safely or rain down unholy hell on those responsible. Either way they're going to pay for this. This isn't over yet.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my raging emotions. I cannot afford to lose control, not when Alessia's life is on the line.

My men watch me warily, unaccustomed to seeing their unflappable boss so volatile. I see doubt creeping into their eyes. But I cannot show weakness, not now.

"Any word from Hector yet?" I ask Rocco, my other most trusted captain besides Luca.

He shakes his head. "Nothing since the video ransom demand this morning. They're laying low."

I curse under my breath. Hector Rosales and his men must have gone to ground after sending their little message, knowing we'd be scouring the city for them. Cowards.

I think back to the chilling video Hector sent me after the last phone call, Alessia bound and gagged in a dark room, her eyes wide with fear. My blood still boils as I imagine his sneering face as he named his price for her safe return. As if I would ever bow to that snake.

No, Alessia's life is not a bargaining chip. And I will remind Hector of that fact forcefully and permanently once I find him.

I turn to my assembled men. "Fan out and shake down all of Hector's known associates. Someone out there knows where he's keeping her. Make it clear what will happen if they choose to protect him over themselves."

My men murmur their assent and quickly move to obey. As they file out, I add "And bring me Hector's head before this day is through."

Their hungry grins tell me Hector Rosales' hours are numbered. Good. Let him cower for now. Justice will come for him swift and merciless.

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