Page 46 of Claiming His Mafia Princess

“Shut her up, for fuck’s sakes.”

I turn to look at the men talking. I don’t know why I expected to see the uniforms of paramedics — but I see very familiar-looking security uniforms.

The same uniforms worn by the three men who chased me in the forest.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t scream.

Everything is spinning with thick panic coursing through me.

Malone’s men have me.

It’s not what I want to do, because my father always taught me not to show weakness, but tears are flooding down my cheeks. I can’t stop them.

I can’t hold back the idea that the only person who knew I was going to be out here today was my father.

Did he give me up again - did he sell me out a second time?

The thought churns in my mind as the van speeds away from the city towards a location outside of our territory. Into the heart of our enemies’ space.

Chapter Twenty-Two

NEVIO

My phone rings. It makes me jump.

I’m not usually a jumpy person, but ever since the minute Dalila left the house I’ve been fidgety and agitated. I want her home.

It’s only been fifteen minutes, but I am barely handling her absence and the worry is making me nauseous.

I lean over to grab my phone off the table in the living room.

Her father.

The tension in my stomach increases ten times over when I stare at his name. Why would he be calling me? Has something happened?

Thoughts fly through my mind at a million miles an hour.

“Nevio.” I say with a tight throat that feels dry and scratchy.

“I thought she was supposed to be here already. She’s late.”

“She left fifteen minutes ago. It’s only a five-minute drive.” I stand up, beginning to pace.

“She’s not here.”

“What have you done, Vincent?” I ask, suspicious of her father.

“What the fuck does that mean?” He spits back defensively.

I slam down the phone and shout for my security guards. “She didn’t reach her destination. Get in the car. We’re going to find her.”

I’m running towards the front of the house. My head feels as though it’s going to explode. I’ve never felt this kind of panic before. I have never felt dread so thick like this, flooding my bones and chilling me to the core.

Two of my security personnel climb into the car with me. I pull my gun out to check the clip while we drive out of the security gate, turning in the same direction Dalila went only a short time ago.

I am scanning the roads, terrified of what I might see, constantly searching for her but also feeling a sense of hopelessness.

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