Page 59 of Lorenzo's Claim

“If you want to kill Victor, go for it. By all means, have fun, but forget about tryin’ to hurt her.” He sighed. “Maybe try to give your marriage a go. Stop tryin’ to own her and let her be your?—”

“Don’t say it.” I narrowed my eyes as he continued.

“Let her be your equal.” Emmet spoke confidently as if he knew he was saying the right thing.

“She’ll never be my equal,”

Red echoed Gino’s words from earlier. “Then let her go.”

“No. That woman will never walk away from me. I won’t let her.” I stood, slapping my palms on my desk. “Let’s go home. I’ll deal with the fallout tomorrow.”

“With your wife or her father?” Nicolo asked.

“I don’t give a shit about the fallout with Victor.” I didn’t mention Ana, and of course, it didn’t go unnoticed.

“Maybe try and talk to her. Make her understand your reasons for doing what you did,” Red suggested, sounding too damn hopeful.

“Let’s go,” I ordered as they jumped to their feet.

The driveback to the house was a blur. I shut myself off to everyone, not wanting to hear whatever else they had to say. For the first time, my mind raced with thoughts of Anastacia. Her defiant gaze, her sharp tongue, and the way she always seemed to slip through my fingers no matter how tightly I gripped.

The second Red parked the car, I strode inside, my footsteps echoing against the marble. Maybe Red was right. Maybe I had to tell her everything and explain my reasons. Before I had time to second guess everything, my feet led me to her door, ready to help her understand.

I pushed her door open, instantly feeling as though something was off.

The room was empty.

Not just of her presence but of everything.

I flung her closet doors open, my blood boiling as I noted her clothes were gone. There was no trace of my wife in this room anymore. She’d taken everything. It was as if she’d never been in here at all.

All that was left was her wedding ring on the bedside table.

Rage surged through my veins as I stormed out of the room, marching straight to the office as I summoned my men. “Get in here, now.” I demanded, my voice cutting through the silence.

They came running in after me, their faces twisted with confusion. “Check the cameras,” I ordered, barely regaining control. “I want to know exactly when she left, how she left, and where she went.”

As I paced the floor, Red rapidly pulled up the footage, his fingers flying over the keyboard on my desk. As the screens flickered to life, there was nothing. Nothing at all. No movement from her whatsoever. It didn’t even show her coming home.

“How the fuck is that possible?” I queried, my fists clenching at my sides. “Everything from her room is gone. It’s as if she was never here.”

Gino stepped forwards, his voice remaining as calm as possible, but it was clear he was worried. “She’s gotten around those cameras before, she could have done it again.”

Finn exhaled as he burst through the door. “Nobody saw her enter or leave.”

“She must have had help. I’ve been away from her for an hour tops. She couldn’t have managed all this alone.” I smashed my fist into the desk, my knuckles cracking as they hit the wood. “Find her,” I snarled. “I don’t care what it takes. Bring my wife back to me.”

“Already on it,” Emmet assured as he exited the room with everyone except for Red.

“On me, Red. We’re paying the Fedorov’s a visit.” I had no idea why I thought she’d be there, not after what happened tonight, but I’d give it a go.

Red spedtowards Anastacia’s old home, the tires screeching with every turn. I knew he, along with some of the other men, had grown close to her. They developed a soft spot for her despite my warnings.

“Do you really think she left?” he asked.

“That's the only explanation, Red.” I muttered. “If she thinks she can walk away from me, she’s wrong.”

“We’ll bring her home. No matter where she is, we’ll find her.” He sounded so sure, so confident in his own words.

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