Page 68 of Lorenzo's Claim

“Lorenzo!” Nicolo called from the kitchen.

I exited the room, making my way to where he stood, drenched and disheveled, his usual composure shattered.

“Any news?” I asked, feeling somewhat hopeful.

Nicolo shook his head. “Not about Ana, but Chad… He’s got a nasty cut across his nose. A deep one, too, and I know that isn’t Victor’s style.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Finn and I have been tailing him. Something just felt off when you mentioned him and how he was with Ana.” He sighed.

“Carry on. I don’t have all night, Nic,” I told him. I loved the guy, but boy, did he take forever to get to the point.

“He’s been disappearing in the middle of the night. At times when Victor won’t notice him gone. It’s as if he has his own agenda.”

My mind raced. I knew he was a snake, but this… This was some next level betrayal, obsessive shit.

“Did you follow him?”

“We started to but we didn't want him to catch on. Not yet, anyway.” He lit a cigarette, pouring himself a whiskey.

“Right. I want you to rig his car with one of the best tracking devices you can build,” I nodded, knowing he could do it with his eyes closed. “If it means no sleep, so be it. I need her home, and I need Chad finished if he’s involved.”

“You have my word.” Nicolo smiled.

“I need you to go undetected. Follow him closely until you can get to his car. If he catches on, he could do something to Ana.”

“I promise he won’t know a thing.” He finished off his drink and headed to a hidden room at the back of the house.

I’m coming, Ana.

That’s a promise.

***

Two nights later, we followed the tracker’s signal that brought us to a secluded, abandoned house that looked as though it would blow over in the bloody wind.

“What if she’s not in there?” Red asked, carefully getting out of the car.

“She is. I have a feeling.” I drew my gun from my waistband as we slowly made our way up to the house, broken glass crunching beneath our feet.

“The door’s open,” Nicolo whispered as we noticed shadows dancing on the walls inside.

We slipped into the abandoned house, our footsteps silent despite the creaking underfoot. My heart pounded in my chest, a relentless drumbeat of fury and dread. I could feel the weight of every passing second. I could only hope Ana was here. All signs pointed right here. The thought of her in this godforsaken place sent a spike of adrenaline through me, sharpening my senses.

My men moved with practiced silence as they scanned every corner. Each movement they made was fluid and deadly, and I trusted them implicitly with helping me bring my wife home.

The first masked man appeared from the shadows, his breath visible in the cold air. Red grabbed him with a sharp, swift move, pressing his body against the rotting wall beside us.

“Where’s my wife?” I demanded as Red’s hold on his neck tightened.

“I don’t know who your wife is.” He chuckled sarcastically, and it was at that very moment I knew she was here.Thank fuck.

“Wrong answer,” Red sneered as he sliced his neck open with ease and grace.

We watched him slump to the floor as heavy footsteps came from our right. “Mate, stop messing around, where are you?” the second masked prick called as he appeared in the doorway. “Shit,” he gasped.

I pulled the trigger the second I saw him, precise as it pierced his skull right between the eyes. The third was next. He tried to retreat, tried to warn whoever else was hidden in this shit hole, but Gino was fast. He was already on him, his grip like iron around the man’s neck. One quick snap, and it was over.

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