Page 51 of Defy

Hold on, Princess, I’m coming for you.

As I get dressed, I start running through theories in my mind.My money is on Luis.

Then again, surely Libby would have put up a fight. Screamed? Scratched? There would be marks on him. I would have heard her. Even in my deepest sleep, her voice would wake me, let alone her panicked scream.

My stomach churns as I fly down the stairs to meet everybody.

All eyes turn to me when I enter the room.

“I want everything we know, and I want it now,” I demand.

“All we know is that she’s missing and she wasn’t picked up by any of the cameras which most likely indicates that she had help,” Omar starts.

I want to say that there’s no way I know where they all are either. I haven’t been back that long, but once I was made head of security, I had access to the control room, which means I know exactly where all the blackout spots of the cameras are located, so it’s no longer a valid argument and makes me look guilty.

“Why would you assume that help came from me?” I ask.

Luis can’t hold his tongue. “Because,hermano, we all see the way you look at her.”

Controlling my features, I look right at my brother as I try to discredit him, “You mean with lust in my eyes? The same wayyoulooked at her as you were climbing on top of her trying to shove your dick down her throat? If I remember correctly, it was you who admitted you’d love to see those blue eyes look up at you while she choked on your co –”

“Enough!” our father raises his voice.

“I want this entire fortress searched. I want the grounds searched, and I want the boats in the marina and the water surrounding it searched.”

Once the guards rush out to start their task, my father comes to me and sits on the edge of the table while I stare blankly ahead, willing my mind to work.

He starts talking and it takes great effort to focus on his words. He smells faintly of cigar smoke just like always. “I don’t trust either of you. Your brother is a little shit and I could see him pulling this stunt to fuck the girl and ruin you. But I’m not entirely sure Luis is lying and it’s clear you have feelings for her. You always did have a soft spot for a Santos,” he spits as he gets down to my eye level. “But let me tell you this, when I find out which one of you disrupted my revenge, you better hope you remembered to say your prayers.”

With that he slides off the table to begin the hunt for Libby all over again.

~

WHEN I FINALLY GET back to the control room, picking up speed with every step, I don’t even get a chance to knock before the door swings open.

“Dom,” Diego pulls me inside and quickly shuts the door.

“Was this you? Please tell me you did this and she’s okay.” I’m pleading and I don’t even give a fuck. I’m losing control and the feeling is so foreign. Inevergive up control.

“No, Dom, it wasn’t me,” he says somberly. “The cameras were cut around two a.m. but it was good work. If I didn’t have intimate knowledge of this system, I never would have spotted it on the feed.”

“Who knows this system that well?” I demand, my hands running through my hair just to stay busy.

“Most of the guards, Luis, Omar, and Imelda are the only ones who have regular access,” he answers.

I’m going to murder my fucking brother.

“Diego, I’m out of time. I need to get to Mateo’s.”

He gives me a quizzical look, forcing me to waste time explaining. “It wasn’t my mother and it obviously wasn’t Omar. The guards have no invested interest and wouldn’t risk their life to help her. That leaves Luis. He’s made it pretty damn obvious that he wouldn’t mind if she came to harm. There are enough eyes here looking for her, but if the cameras were cut, then it’s likely that she was taken off the grounds. If Luis is behind this, the first place he’ll take her is to Mateo. He’s going to try and make the negotiation that our father wouldn’t. The only problem is, I don’t trust him not to shoot them both once the papers have been signed.”

Diego wastes another few precious minutes digesting my words. Skepticism crossing his face.

“What if you’re wrong?”

“Then I give myself to Mateo and help him think of places to search for his daughter so he can send his own men.”

“And start a fucking war on our streets?”

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