Page 77 of Dangerous Devotion

“Hero,” I barked, turning to my brother. “Find out where Father is. Now.”

Hero nodded grimly, pulled out his phone, and made a call.

I paced as I waited, my fingers itching to wrap around someone’s throat—preferably our father’s.

Peaches and Goofy called for help while I helped them pull one after the other out of the SUVs.

Hawk groaned, his eyes fluttered, but then he went back under.

I looked up when Peaches turned Max’s head and pulled a dart from his neck. “Tranquilizer.”

I cocked my head. This whole scenario was getting weirder by the second.

After what felt like an eternity, Hero lowered his phone. “Father’s still in New York,” he reported, his voice tight. “Hasn’t left for Italy like he was supposed to.”

That was all I needed to hear. The pieces fell into place with sickening clarity. Father had still not given up.

He was behind this. All of it.

My jaw clenched so hard, I thought my teeth might crack. “I’m going to New York,” I growled. “It’s time I had a chat with dear old Dad.”

Hero nodded, then turned around. Because right at that moment, the cavalry arrived.

I made sure they had enough working vehicles to transport everyone, then jumped into the Jeep.

This was something I needed to do alone, but before I could speed up, Hero jumped in front. “I’m coming with you.”

I cocked my head. I wanted my little brother as far away from this situation as possible. But maybe it was time to acknowledge that me trying to fix everything all alone, me trying to control everything, was not working. “Jump in,” I said, and Hero followed suit.

I glanced at him. “But if you get hurt or worse, I’ll kill you and kick your corpse all the way to Italy myself,” I said.

Hero didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. This wasn’t like Hero. Usually, he’d be cracking jokes or offering his opinion, whether I wanted it or not. His silence was unnerving.

“Listen,” I started again, softening my tone. “I know you’re worried about Bella and Mira.”

Hero shook his head. “I’m not worried. I’m fucking done with the asshole.”

I nodded and called ahead to La Dimora to let them know to prepare the helicopter. Then, and only then, did I allow myself to think about Jemma. Was she still alive? Was she scared?

Hold on, Punk, just a little while longer. I’m coming.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The van came to a stop. I tensed, and my pulse skyrocketed as I heard muffled voices outside. I stared at Birdie and she back at me.

There hadn’t been enough time to even talk, let alone make any kind of plan.

“Fight for your life,” Birdie whispered, her eyes wide, her body tight like a bow. “Don’t look back. Don’t let them catch you. Be brutal.”

I nodded.

The doors burst open, flooding the space with harsh, artificial light. I squinted, momentarily blinded. I didn’t expect to be parked inside a building.

Birdie wasn’t as affected as I was. She jumped out of the van in an explosion of speed and energy, her battle cry bolting through me like lightning.

The two guys who opened the van were stunned into submission while she flew past them, landed, and ran toward the closing gate at full speed.

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