Page 99 of Wicked King

You’re a complete coglione. You are already married. It’s not like she’ll say no.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me free of my spiraling thoughts. I scan the screen, unfamiliar with the number on the text message that pops up.

Unknown: I have your wife. If you want to see her alive again, meet me at the warehouse on the corner of Grand and Madison and come alone.

Panic steals the air from my lungs as I read the lines of text over and over again. No. This can’t be happening. I jab my finger at the screen, clearing the message and dial Jia.

“Pick up, come on, pick up.”

Each unanswered ring spikes my pulse, elevating my frantic state. Sweat dribbles down my spine, and I’m pacing a tight circle now as darkness encroaches into my vision. When the voicemail responds, I jab my finger at the call end button and dial Nicky.

No answer.

“Fuck!” I growl and rake my hands through my hair.

One last call. But I’m already moving toward the door.

Arianna picks up on the second ring, and a hint of hope flares.

“Where’s Jia?” I bark.

“Um, well, hello to you, too, Marco.”

“I don’t have time for this, Arianna, this is serious. Is she with you or not?”

“No,” she murmurs, a whisper of fear now in her voice. “I left her and Nicky at the boutique to grab some more samples from the warehouse. Why? What’s going on?”

I race through the foyer and spear my finger into the elevator call button, waving off the guard stationed at the door. “Get back to the boutique and call me immediately, Ari. I think she’s been taken. I’m on my way to get her back.”

“What—”

The rest of Arianna’s words are cut off as I hang up and toggle back to the mysterious text message.

Me: Whoever the fuck you are, you’re a dead man or woman. If you lay one finger on my wife, I’ll make sure you and everyone you love dies an excruciating death. Are we clear?

Unknown: Meet me as indicated and no harm will come to your precious wife.

Me: Tell Jia I’m on my way, and I’m going to fucking destroy you.

I shove my phone back into my jacket pocket as the elevator descends to the first floor. Bypassing the main entrance, I go straight to the garage to get my car. When the asshole said come alone, I’m assuming he meant no driver either.

Before I reach my BMW, I shoot a quick message to Nico. In case this whole thing goes to shit, someone has to know what’s going on.

CHAPTER 46

WRATH OF THE LAODÀ

Jia

Glancing up at the CityZen sign Marco had custom made for the big opening has my heart doing a silly dance. Everything is nearly complete, and my nerves are a wicked tangle of excitement and anxiety.

I clutch my cell and shoot a few pictures of the front of the boutique. “There’s a little spot on the left. Right by the Z,” I call up to Nicky, who stands on a ladder with a damp cloth, cleaning the sign. A stupid pigeon had the nerve to poop on the beautiful design, and I just couldn’t stand the sight of it.

“Did I get it now?” the big guard calls down.

“Just a little more on top.”

The click-clack of heels on cement turns my attention to a leggy brunette in a ruby-red Chanel skirt suit strutting our way. She’s on the phone, chattering away with earbuds in and completely oblivious to Nicky and the ladder.

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