Page 72 of Sworn to My Heart
I storm inside like a tornado, ignoring his remarks. He follows me and grabs my arm. “Alin, what’s wrong with you?” he demands, recognizing the panic in my eyes as I turn to him.
“Alin, I won’t ask again,” he says, his voice threatening this time, his grip on my arm still tight.
“What happened?” His gaze turns mad.
“Cora. Where is Cora?” I respond to his question with one of my own.
“Cora is at the mall with some old family friends. She texted me that she’s with Graham. You’re such a drama queen,” he says, sighing and releasing my arm. I wish drama queen stories were my only problem right now.
The realization hits me. My face pales, and I feel my legs turning to jelly as I collapse to the floor. I didn’t want to believe it, but they took Cora. They took Cora. I can’t breathe.
Mariano shakes me, starting to grasp that something is really wrong.What do I do? How did they manage to kidnap her? Who are they?
“Alin, what do you know that I don’t? Speak, now!” he commands, and Luca walks in through the door, joining the chaos. I don’t need to look toward the entrance to know he’s here; I can feel his presence everywhere.
“I… I can’t,” I stammer in panic, realizing that my chances of saving Cora are better if I go there alone.
I’ll have to convince them to let me go. It won’t be easy, but I can’t lie to Mariano and Luca when it comes to Cora’s safety.
“Someone kidnapped Cora,” I say so quietly that I look up tosee if they even heard me. Judging by Mariano’s expression, he heard me loud and clear, as if I spoke into a megaphone.
He immediately pulls out his phone and dials Graham.
“No need to call Graham,” I stop him.
“Graham was with me and Luca all day,” I release a breath that was trapped in my lungs, and tears start to fall. Saying it out loud makes everything real.
Mariano dials Cora’s number over and over like a madman, getting her voicemail each time. Luca makes some calls too, and judging by their expressions, they understand I’m right.
“Find her, now!” Mariano barks into the phone, making me jump. I don’t even recognize him anymore; he’s lost all semblance of humanity. He really is like Luca.
I turn my gaze to Luca now, not knowing how I’ll face them if something happens to her. His expression matches Mariano’s, and I realize that today isn’t going to be any better than yesterday or the day before. The monsters have emerged from their cave to hunt.
“You don’t need to locate her. I know where she is,” I say, as Mariano and Luca end their call, their threatening, monstrous glares fixed on me. I understand I have no other choice.
I take out my phone and show it to Luca.
“At first, I didn’t understand which friend he was talking about. I have no friends on land besides Cora and I know she is always safe with Mariano. It was hard to believe she’d disappear without anyone noticing,” I say, feeling wretched. All these hours, I hadn’t opened that message, and she must be suffering. Tears stream down my face, but I won’t let them break me—not this time. I get back on my feet, take a deep breath, and stop Luca and Mariano when I realize they’re planning to head out and send their men.
“I’m going. Alone,” I declare firmly.
“Do you really think you’re going alone?” Luca retorts, refusing to even consider it, continuing to bark orders over the phone.
“Luca!” I shout, my blood boiling with anger and fear. “Read the message again. It clearly says no Italians. You want Cora alive? Send me. You know very well I can handle a battalion if needed,” I state, making it clear that I’m adamant about going alone.
“Alin, he wants you. I’m not handing you over to him on a silver platter,” he says, and I see the vein in his forehead bulging again. It looks like it’s actually going to burst this time.
“I’m going there whether you agree or not. Cora’s life is in my hands right now, not yours. I’ll go in alone. You can stay here and plan your sweet revenge once Cora is back in your hands,” I say. Luca breathes heavily, displeased, but he knows I’m right and that he can’t stop me.
He punches the wall hard in frustration, and I promise myself I’ll get revenge for him, for Cora, and for Mariano.
I glance at my phone and see it’s already 9:30 PM. I have half an hour to get to that location. I run downstairs, hearing Luca’s footsteps behind me. He hasn’t given up yet.
I don’t want to do this, but Cora’s life depends on me right now. I raise my hand, and with a slight wave, he’s pushed back and falls onto the entryway carpet. He still doesn’t give up, quickly getting up and running toward me, but he doesn’t reach me before the elevator doors close.
“I’m sorry, Luca,” I whisper into the air, as if he can hear it. I have no idea how I’ll face them again if something happens to her. I deserve whatever comes at me.
I will avenge every hair on her head that falls, I swear. My anger raises as I imagine her, helpless and scared. I won’t let it go unpunished.
