Page 5 of Ruthless Vengeance
He’s the only reason I haven’t gone storming over to Tommaso’s hideout and opened fire on every fucker who dared lay a hand on my girl.
“What exactly did she say?” Andre asks for what feels like the hundredth time.
He crosses his arms over his chest as he leans against his desk, a deep frown on his face.
I repeat what Clara told me, word for word, including the location she gave me.
My body is vibrating as I think of her, terrified and alone, waiting for me to come and get her.
How could I have let this happen? I promised her that I would keep her safe and instead, I’ve put her in more danger.
“Lakeview Drive…” A crease forms between Andre’s eyebrows. “Do we know if this is a legit location?”
“Does it matter?”
“Marco.” Andre gives me a look that would make our father proud.
I run a hand through my hair. “I know! I’m not thinking straight.”
I stare down at the phone in my hand, feeling like a knife is being stabbed repeatedly into my chest as the screen remains blank.
Clara hasn’t called back, which only adds to my suspicion that this is a trap. Besides, why would she say she’d leave the phone on only to disconnect right after I said I loved her?
“I’ll get Jax to look into it.” Andre pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts quickly typing out a message. “Before we do anything, we should know what we’re facing.”
I start pacing around the study, my stomach in knots. I consider pouring myself a drink to try and numb my thoughts, but I can’t risk slowing my reflexes if I’m destined to come face to face with Tommaso.
“This is all my fault.” I think back to the night in the hotel bar all those months ago when I first met Clara.
I thought it was going to be a one-night stand, nothing more than sex. Never in my life could I have predicted falling in love and starting a family with her, and I don’t regret it for a second.
She has been the greatest joy of my life, and Tommaso knows it.
“I should have stayed away…”
Andre exhales sharply as he pockets his phone. “You realize how obvious this is, right?”
“Pretty fucking obvious? But if there’s even the slightest chance she’s really there… I have to go.”
“And walk right into Tommaso’s hands? You’ll be dead before you even get to Clara.”
I bristle at my brother’s words. “She could already be dead. Trap or not, I have to go to her.”
“If this is a setup, we can’t match his numbers. We need reinforcements.” My brother frowns. “I think it’s time you give Cillian a call.”
He’s right. As much as I want to storm out of here right now and tear apart anyone standing between me and Clara, I can’t do this alone. Not if we want to come away from this alive.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I pull out my phone and dial Cillian.
“You don’t have a choice, Marco. You’re doing this for Clara, and for Zoe.”
I think of my daughter sleeping peacefully in her crib just down the hall, and my chest tightens.
I can’t let her grow up without her mother.
Cillian answers after two rings, sounding too damn cheerful for my liking. “Well, well. Thoughtyeforgot about me.”
I really don’t have time for his bullshit. “I need all the men you can spare. Tommaso has taken Clara.”
