Page 42 of Luciano

The party was over.

Dre was in the hospital, Dewanda had gone with him, but not before she stood in front of me, her face twisted in rage.

My father had been rushed away.

The music, the champagne, the fucking celebration—all of it erased like it had never happened.

Because none of it mattered. Because Ava had been taken.

Her cousin had confronted me. "You did this," she hissed, voice shaking. "You're the reason she's gone." She accused me, though we had no idea why she was gone. This could have been anything. A power play, a kidnapping.

I hadn’t responded.

I didn’t need her to tell me any of the things she was saying.

I already knew.

I let my wife be taken.

On my wedding night.

I should’ve left her where she was.

I told her I could protect her. I told her she’d be safe with me.

And now she was gone.

I was a man who fixed things. Who handled problems before they could become real threats. Who saw every angle before the first move was even made.

And I’d let them take her.

I should’ve been faster. Seen it coming. Done something. But I failed her. Now, fixing this was the only thing that mattered.

Dewanda had shoved me. She wasn’t scared of me. I could have crushed her windpipe in seconds, but she still lunged at me, still swung.

Saint pulled her back before she could do any real damage, but that didn’t stop her from yelling at me. I understood her anger.

"Get her back, Luciano," she growled. "Or I swear to God, every gang banger from Cali will be in Florida by tomorrow on your ass and the motherfuckers who took her. Play with it if you want to."

Then she left.

Now, it was just me.

Those who I suspected were involved, and a line of my men—the ones who had failed Ava. Sixteen people about to meet death.

Saint was beside me, silent. He knew what was coming. He had sent Aria home with guards.

My hands shook.

With rage.

With fear.

I hadn’t been scared in years. I was scared of losing Ava. Ava was out there. Somewhere. Where the same things that happened to my mother might happen to her.

The thought made my stomach twist, made my vision swim with red.

I couldn't think about what they might be doing to her. I couldn’t.

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