Page 89 of Malevolent Secrets

She sits down beside the bed, avoiding my gaze. I have to know about Daniella. “How’s Daniella?” I ask, trying to shift the focus.

Renee’s face softens slightly. “She’s at the house. She was really worried about you. She went a bit berserk when she found out you were shot. Cried a lot.”

The image of Daniella crying over me does something to my heart. Maybe she does care. Maybe I’m not alone in feeling this way about her.

“I need to see her,” I say, trying to sit up but wincing at the pain.

“Don’t be stupid, Lorenzo. You need to rest.”

“I can’t stay here. I need to be with her. I need to make sure she’s okay.” My voice is insistent and I can see the frustration in Renee’s eyes.

“Fine,” she sighs. “But you’re an idiot.”

The doctor isn’t happy about my decision, but he reluctantly discharges me with strict instructions to rest.

Renee helps me into a wheelchair, and we make our way to the car. Every movement sends a jolt of pain through my body, but I grit my teeth and bear it.

As we drive home, the tension is palpable. Renee sits beside me, her eyes focused on the road. I can tell she’s wrestling with something.

“Who do you think tried to kill me?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“Could be Massimo,” she replies, her voice tight. “He’s been gunning for us for a while now.”

I nod, my mind racing. “We can’t ignore this. The treaty with Bruno means nothing now. Massimo has crossed the line.”

“I agree,” she says, glancing at me. “But we need to be smart about this. Rushing in could make things worse.”

Vincent, who is driving, chimes in. “We’ll figure it out, Lorenzo. Just don’t do anything reckless. We need you in one piece.”

I grunt in acknowledgment, my thoughts already shifting to Daniella. She’s been through so much and now she’s caught up in this mess. I have to protect her, no matter what.

When we arrive at the house, I call out for Daniella as soon as we step inside.

Greta appears seemingly from nowhere with food in her hands. It looks like a soup of some kind.

"Eat," she says. "It will give you strength."

This is so like Greta. She is known for her silence and her practicality. I take the bowl from her hand and take one spoonful because I know that if I don't, she is not going to let it go. She nods at me, looks me over and once she determines that I look good enough, she turns and disappears.

I shift my attention back to how quiet the house is. The house is quiet. It lacks the evidence of her presence.

"Daniella," I call out, but I don't get any response.

I get up from the wheelchair, which is really a big fucking pain in the ass. Renee and Vincent grumble at me, but I pay them no mind. I walk upstairs to her room and knock.

"Daniella, open the door, please. I just...I need to talk to you. Please, please."

But there is still nothing. I open the door slightly and find it unlocked, but there is nobody inside.

"Daniella," I call again, but no response.

I turn back to look at Renee. "Where is she?"

Renee looks blank, confused. "I...I don't know. I left her in the house to come see you in the hospital."

Panic sets in like cement on a hot day I instantly get worried. This does not look good.

"Daniella," I call, running through the house, pacing room to room. I go to the garden, but she is not there. I go to all her favorite spots in the compound, but she is nowhere to be seen.

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