Page 4 of Hunter

His smirk finally fades, replaced by a stern expression. “Sophia is safe. I had nothing to do with her kidnapping.” He moves, trying to wiggle free. “Let go of me and I’ll explain.”

I scoff. “What did you fucking do to her?” I snap, a sick feeling settling in my stomach.

He releases an exasperated sigh, like he’s tired of playing along. “I did nothing but help. She’s safe with my wife back in Miami. The best doctors are taking care of her. She will be fine.”

Doctors?My blood runs cold. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

Luca shakes his head, exasperated. “For fuck’s sake, Volkov.”

Images of Sophia flood my mind—horrible scenarios of what could have happened to her because of this bastard. My vision blurs. I feel the rage building inside me, uncontrollable. Before I even realize it, I’m on him, shoving him into the wall again, the sound echoing through the alley.

His head hits the cement wall with a sickening thud, but I can barely hear it over the deafening roar of rage drowning out every other thought. All I can see is Sophia’s blood, her pale, lifeless body flashing before my eyes. Helpless. Frail. How fucking helpless she must have been.

This—this is his doing, his fault. I slam my fist into Luca’s face again, the world narrowing until all that exists is his face. He will die by my hands. No one else will have the satisfaction of making him bleed.

A sharp, unyielding grip wraps around me—who the hell? I elbow the body pulling me away, pushing them off with a grunt. I don’t care who it is. No one will stop me. Not now. Not when I’m so close to ending this bastard. I grab Luca by the collar, shaking him violently. “You piece of shit Italian scum,” I snarl, the words dripping with venom. “You’re dead.”

But as I move to reach for my gun, it’s not there. My stomach drops. Where the fuck is my gun? I scan the ground, but it’s nowhere around me.

Strong arms lock around me again, pulling me back. “Maxim, calm the fuck down. Let go of him,” Andrei’s voice cuts through my haze of fury, but it’s no use. His words fall flat.

Is Andrei on his side?

“No,” I growl, pushing him off with more force. His muscles tighten, resisting my every move. “How fucking dare you tell me to let go of him?” My voice is a rasping scream. “Who’s side are you on?” I demand, the disbelief and betrayal heavy in my tone.

“Your side, brother,” Andrei snaps back, his voice tight with frustration. “Always your fucking side. But you’re not thinking rationally. You’re letting your anger control you.”Think rationally.How the fuck am I supposed to think rationally? The woman I love has been taken, and the man standing before me is the reason why.

“How are you going to find her if you kill him?” I feel Andrei’s words slither through the fog in my mind, but I can barely grasp them.

She’s being taken care of.

Luca’s words echo in my head like a distant memory, taunting me. I stare at Luca. Blood dripping from his split lips, his body slumped on the floor half-unconscious in front of me. If he’s telling the truth, how did he find her first? Why did he help her? As much as I hate to admit it, Andrei is right. I’m letting my anger control and blind me, and if I want a chance to find Sophia or get answers, I need to stop and listen to Luca.

“Alright,” I say through clenched teeth, my voice barely above a whisper. Andrei nods then turns and heads toward the car. When he returns, he is holding a shirt that has seen better days in his hand. Andrei works quickly, his face impassive as he cleans Luca’s wounds. I lean against the wall, watching through blurry vision. Never have I lost control like this.

Even when I killed his father, it was controlled, calculated. This? This is pure, unbridled fury. Luca stirs as Andrei puts something under his nose. After a few moments, he gasps for air, sitting up, his eyes flickering back to life. He grins—the bastard grins—and staggers to his feet, using the wall for support.

“Even with all this blood covering my face, I still look better than you,” Luca mutters, his voice laced with the same mocking tone he always used. I want to break his neck just for that smile.

I cross my arms, trying to steady myself. “Where is she?” I ask, my voice eerily calm. Calm enough to be dangerous.

“Like I said earlier, Maxim…” Luca coughs, his hand pressing against his stomach. “She’s safe. She’s with my wife in my temporary home.”

I take a step forward, my pulse pounding in my ears. Bullshit. This man is lying through his teeth. I can feel the rage building again. He doesn’t have a wife—my last report on him didn’t mention anyone. “I’ll ask you one last time. Where the fuck is she?” I’m so close to losing it again. Why is he trying to play the hero when he’s anything but? What does he want from me?

He rolls his eyes, and my fingers twitch. If he pulls out that damn comb again, I’ll make sure his smile disappears for good. But instead, he pulls out his phone.

“Luca,” I snap, frustration creeping into my voice, “I’m done with your games.”

“I’m calling my wife to prove I’m not lying,” he says, tapping the screen.

“I don’t believe you,” I growl. “You’re just trying to get me to lower my guard so you can finish what you started with Sophia.”

Luca looks at Andrei, his expression mocking. “Come here. You make the call. Maxim needs to calm the fuck down.” He turns back to me with a wrinkled nose. “The disgusting vein in his neck is pulsing again.”

Andrei hides a laugh behind a cough. I roll my eyes. Idiots. Andrei glances at me for permission, and I give a sharp nod. “Dial Cecilia,” Luca orders, handing the phone to Andrei. The phone rings a few times before a soft voice answers.

“Hey, where are you?” Cecilia asks, her tone almost worried.

---