Page 65 of Merciless Oath

I hurry to the door and flip on the lights. We stare at Matilda’s empty bed, blanket thrown back, her pillow on the floor.

“Maybe she went to the bathroom?” I suggest hopefully, already rushing out to the hallway. Enzo’s hot on my heels, heading to Alfonso’s room and banging on the door.

When I find the bathroom empty, I spin around, almost knocking into Rafael.

“What’s going on?”

“Matilda’s not in her room,” I manage to breathe out.

My throat is closing up. Terror is sinking its sharp, nasty claws into me. My brain is spinning like it’s inside a washing machine. Nothing makes sense.

Alfonso and Enzo stumble down the stairs, tugging on their boots and running out the door. I hear them screaming Matilda’s name outside.

Lux bolts up the stairs, briefly touching my shoulder with fear in her eyes, and runs to Rosie’s room. She emerges a second later, clutching her baby and shaking her head.

“She’s not in there either,” she whispers.

I sink to the floor, ugly sobbing and hugging myself. I don’t need any messages, texts, or clues this time.

I know who has my child.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Enzo

We fanout across the property, searching every single room and building from top to bottom. I call Uncle Joe as I’m running around the greenhouse, checking behind plants and under tables.

“I’m on it, Enzo,” he assures me. “We’ll have eyes across the city.”

“Get a hold of Jack and Rocco,” I grunt, stepping into the chilly air again. “Get a group up here to Rafael’s house. We need backup.”

“Got it,” he says, clicking off. I take a deep breath and try to still my insane heartbeat.I swear, if Alexandra’s behind this, I’m going to destroy her.But I already know the answer. I know we’re searching in vain.

I bump into Valentina near the house, and she collapses in my arms. She’s no longer crying, but I see the terror and anguish in her tear-streaked face.

“Nothing?” she whispers into my chest. I stroke her back, giving her a second of comfort amid the chaos.

“I have my guys keeping an eye on the city,” I tell her. “They’re tracking every car coming in from this direction. They’re also sending a group up here to help with the search.”

“She took her, didn’t she?” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “She told us she would, and we didn’t listen. She warned us.”

“We’ll get her back,” I try to soothe her, but underneath my bravado, I’m terrified.

“Enzo!” Rafael calls from inside the house. We duck inside and join the rest of our tiny crew in the living room.

Everyone looks hollow-eyed and tense. Even Rosie looks concerned despite the fact that she’s passed out in Lux’s arms.

“Let’s head to town and look around,” he instructs, his breathing coming in fast. I know he just sprinted around the entire property line, confirming that the security system had been disabled. “Valentina, stay here with Lux, would you?”

Valentina looks like she’s about to protest, but I pull her in close and place a kiss on her temple.

“He doesn’t want to leave Lux alone,” I whisper. “And you have the skills to destroy anyone who decides to pay an unwanted visit. Please stay with her?”

She sucks in a shallow breath and nods. I know it’s killing her to stay here instead of throwing herself into the search.

“When the Romano boys get here,” Rafael says apologetically, “you and Jack will meet us in town, okay?”

With Valentina’s blessing, the three of us head to the car. Rafael tosses me the keys, nominating me the driver.

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