Page 17 of Twisted Obsession

I slowed as I approached the fortified gates, just enough for them to get them open, and then I was out and onto the road. As my tyres connected with the tarmac once again, I couldn’t contain my laughter any longer.

My only confusion was the happiness behind it that was driving my laughter.

The screen in front of me flashing up that it couldn’t connect to my phone, prompted me to relax my foot off the accelerator. Before I turned into one of the many corners of the coastal road I had chosen to take back home, I knew I needed to get hold of Marco. So, with my eyes still on the road ahead, I leant across the centre console and searched in the glove box for the burner phone I always had with me. Finding the cold metal with my fingertips, I pulled it out as I shifted my body back upright and without casting my eyes down, I felt for the button to bring the phone to life.

As it vibrated its welcome in my hand, I watched my console seek to connect. For now, I wanted the plane stood down. I couldn’t remember the last time I wanted to take my time in getting back to the U.K.

But here I was, and a few days at the beach while I deepened my connection with the very beautiful Giovanna, was no more than I deserved. I worked hard back in England for my uncles and had more than enough holiday owing.

‘Phone connected,’ the female automated voice informed me.

‘Phone 355 7235574,’ I instructed.

The dial tone sounded as my car sped on.

‘Marco.’

‘Alright, mate,’ I replied as a smile stretched over my face at just how pissed off he sounded.

‘Dante?’ he spoke my name out loud as though he wanted others to hear.

‘The one and the same. What the hell has crawled up your arse and died?’ I laughed as I questioned him.

‘Dante?’ My name sounded out in the car again, but this time I heard my older brother Alessio speak.

‘Alessio… what the fuck’s going on?’ I asked as confusion hit me.

‘Thank Christ, we’ve been trying to get hold of you… where the hell have you been?’ My thoughts went back to the many missed calls I’d had while I was with Giovanna.

‘I took Giovanna and her mama home as per Don De Luca’s orders.’

The microphone whistled as he exhaled loudly into the phone. ‘You need to get back here, and fast.’

‘Why?’ I tentatively asked.

‘It’s Mia.’ I heard his voice crack.

‘What’s Mia?’ As I questioned, instinctively my foot pressed a little harder on the throttle, and I watched as the speedometer showed the needle bouncing on and off 180km.

‘She’s missing.’

‘I don’t understand. Where is she missing from? She was at Serafina’s with one of the De Lucas when I saw her last.’ I could feel my head shaking from side to side.

‘They had a row, he left… now she’s gone. Salvatore thinks it might be something to do with Enzo Ferraro. There’s a suggestion that he might have been the one who Zeno was working for.’

‘NO!’ I shouted out as the realisation that my baby sister was now at risk. ‘Where?’ I asked as my foot pressed the throttle to the carpet and my knuckles turned white on both hands as I fought to control the car I was driving at a ridiculous speed.

‘We’re leaving to search the beach and surrounding area.’

‘I’ll be about ten minutes.’ He went to speak further, but I disconnected the call, unable to dislodge the thoughts swirling around my head.

‘First Zeno.’ I said my older brother’s name out loud as I remembered his death at the annual meeting of the ‘Ndrangheta ten years previously. He hadn’t been a good brother, or even a good son, but Salvatore De Luca literally had my brother’s blood on his hands.

‘Serafina and now Mia.’

I drove on remembering a conversation and promise I made to Serafina on her wedding day.

‘You agreeing to this farce of a marriage…’ Serafina opened her eyes wide at me hoping I’d say no more in front of Mia. Luckily, Mia was twirling in front of the large mirror that dominated the guest bedroom and the net underskirt of her dress was rustling enough to drown out my voice. I nodded once at Sera in understanding and carried on. ‘You agreeing tothis marriage today, has given you a lot of clout and Papa has listened to everything you wanted, but even you didn’t really think he’d allow you to arrive at church without at least one male member of your family, did you?’

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