Page 20 of Savage Hearts

“What—” My head swiveled with his as he pressed his finger to my lips. He jerked his head, motioning for me to stand and follow him out of the room.

“They’re here,” he whispered, then pocketed his phone.

I watched in fascination as he shifted a frame from the wall in the hallway, exposing a hidden panel, then keyed in a code to open the recessed door. As soon as it slid open, Beckett shoved me into a tiny room and pressed his lips to mine.

“You’ll be safe here. You understand?”

“Please don’t do anything stupid, Beckett.” I glared at him, my voice cracking with unspoken emotion.

He brushed a loose strand of hair from my cheek and trailed his thumb across my lips.

“I’m sorry I can’t be the man for you.”

“You could be,” I whispered, my eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“No, Celestina… I…” He closed his eyes as if in pain and shook his head. “Please, just stay here. Don’t open the door or turn on the lights. Only I know the code to the door. I’ll come for you when it’s safe. I promise.”

Emilia’s cry startled me, and I leaned down to lift her from the tiny bed. My body pinched in slight pain, reminding me how lucky I was to have her in my arms. The wound on my belly had mostly healed but would be a permanent reminder of what I nearly lost.

“How’s my favorite niece?” Vincenzo stepped into the room and smiled. “And my favorite sister?”

“Since when am I your favorite?” I cradled my daughter against my chest. “And she’s your only niece.”

“Still my favorite. Let me have her.” Vincenzo reached out and tugged my tiny infant from my arms. My eyes misted with tears as he held her in the crook of his elbow and pressed a soft kiss to her head. “Becks, anything your momma tells you is all lies.”

“Stop calling her that. Her name is Emilia.”

“Nope… sorry. You’re the one who decided to give her the middle name. She’s too tough to be an Emmy—so Becks it is.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed. “It was the only thing I could give her that was her dad’s since you still won’t tell me where he is.”

Vin leveled me with a glare. “Until we know where Manuel is, we need to ensure he doesn’t come for her. She’s an easy mark, Celestina. And right now, we need to shield her from men.”

“I get it, Vin. I do.”

And I did. Massimo had explained it to me until he was blue in the face—we had to keep her hidden. My gut churned with disgust at the thought of my sister was missing or worse, dead, and that my daughter was still in danger, anyway. Two long months and my brothers were no closer to finding her. Manuel had made no move to use her, which made everything worse.

Massimo had learned that Manuel Costa was involved with the skin trade business. My worst fears initially were that he’d killed her, but now… I worried he’d sold her. I wasn’t sure which was worse—death or the torture she’d be enduring if she was still alive.

“Any word on Carmela?”

“No.” Vin shook his head, his eyes darkening at the mention of my sister. “We’ll find her, Cee. I promise you.”

Beckett’s words filtered back in.I’ll come for you when it’s safe. I promise.

“I don’t believe in promises, Vin.”

eight

CELESTINA

The mahogany woodfelt odd beneath my arms as I leaned my arm against it. Tucked safely inside my elbow was my two-month-old baby. She was the only reason I hadn’t been swallowed by the darkness constantly swirling around me. Glancing up, I saw the other reminder of how my selfish ways had cost my family so much. Carlisle’s absence was hard on everyone, especially Massimo. They’d worked together for years, making him one of his closest confidants.

A lone tear dripped down my face as I shook off the dread pooling in my stomach. My daughter deserved a mother who was present all the time, and for the last few weeks, I hadn’t been. Massimo, being the man he was and recognizing the signs of depression, loaded me down with a protection detail and brought me here.

“How you doing?” Madison slid onto the stool beside me. “Look at that sweet thing.”

“I owe you an apology.” I turned my gaze to hers and swallowed. “We were supposed to be planning your wedding, and I went and fucked it all up.”

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