Page 57 of Bianchi

I want to go back.

I don’t want this.

I want to be in Romeo’s arms.

Why is nobody helping me?

When he growls, “Shut up, you stupid bitch,” I realize I’ve been crying the words out loud.

I’m thrown into a vehicle. My body jolts at the hard metal floor and I knock my head against something. For a moment, I feel the pain before everything goes black.

Chapter 35

Romeo

Adrenaline courses through my body, and over the pounding in my ears, I can’t hear a thing. I’ll fucking kill them. Whoever has taken her, I’ll kill them. Jolting out of the chair, I swipe my hands over Massimo’s desk, knocking everything onto the floor. A guttural roar rips from my lips and I fly across the room, punching the wall. The vibrations rattle the painting hanging there and I’m barely aware of Haven leaving or Massimo coming to stand next to me.

“Rome.” He rests his hand on my shoulder and pulls me away from the wall.

“If Angelo’s stupid enough to return, I want him in the basement.” I fist his shirt in rage.

Massimo holds up his hands, setting them over mine as he tries to pry my deathly grip away. “I get that you’re angry, Romeo. But let's find out what he has to say before you start pulling his teeth.”

Disgusted, I shove away from him and he smooths down his crumpled shirt. Pointing a finger in his face, I mock, “‘I’ll do anything for the family, Rome. I won’t hesitate, Rome.’ Did you not say that moments ago?”

He sighs heavily. “Yes, and I will do anything for the family.”

Keeping my tone low, I take a step toward him, my eyes boring into his. “She is my woman, Massimo, and he lost her. For that, he owes me his life. If you were in my shoes, you would demand the same. Have him brought to the basement.”

Standing toe to toe with me, he draws himself up to his full height. “No.”

“This, right now, is the anything and if you fail to do your part, I’ll have no issues with following through on mine.” The threat is clear in my tone.

He huffs out a laugh, rubbing his hand over his jaw and with a shrug, he replies, “But she’s not family.”

Without a second thought, I connect my fist with his jaw. His head jerks back and his eyes flare in surprise.

“Fucking say it again. I dare you,” I bark, spittle flying from my mouth.

His hand soothes over the spot I hit. “I shouldn’t have said that, but you have to know that I don’t think Angelo would be behind this.”

Clenching my fists, I stare out of the window, hoping the greenery will tame the rage coursing through my body. “Why? Because it’s not in his nature?” I sneer.

Massimo sighs. “He was at the dock the night of the bombing, and his twin brother was killed.”

Cazzo.

The red haze on the edge of my vision dissipates marginally. If he wasn’t involved, he’s still responsible. She was under his watch and should have never left his sight.

A creak sounds behind me and I picture Massimo sinking into the chair behind his desk. There’s a hesitancy in his voice when he asks, “Do you think she might have taken the opportunity to run?”

She was hiding something at breakfast this morning and yet I ignored my concerns because I wanted to trust her. With everything I’ve come to know of her over the past few weeks, the intimacy we’ve shared, and how she’s been so forthcoming about her life… she didn’t run.

“No.” My answer tumbles from my mouth, certainty coating the word. I don’t for a second believe that she wanted to leave. Someone has taken her to get back at me. I shouldn’t have let her go and no matter how much I want to blame Angelo, this rests squarely on my shoulders.

Moving to the drinks cart, I pour myself a glass of scotch, throwing back the contents before pouring another. The burn does nothing to soothe me. “When will Angelo be back? Who called the housephone?” I ask, turning to Massimo, my glass raised to my lips.

He flicks his wrist, checking the time on his Rolex. “His text five minutes ago said he’d be back in about twenty minutes. He’s got the CCTV from the store and the surrounding area.” The silence hangs heavy in the air before he adds, “We’ll find her, Rome.”

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