Page 36 of Savage Hearts

“I’m so torn.” I pressed my lips against my daughter’s head. “I want to hunt him down but can’t leave her. My father didn’t care about my mother, and he was the reason she died. I want to be better than him… better than his blood running through me, but I don’t know how. I only know leaving her is fucked up—and I can’t do it again.”

“You can leave her, and honestly, you should.”

Turning in my chair completely, I glared at Madison.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

Madison tilted her head at me, the sympathetic look crushing me to the core.

“She did this because of the guilt she harbors, Beckett. She never blamed you—she blamed herself. She thinks Carmela was taken because of her. That Carlisle is dead—because of her.” Her voice cracked at the mention of the man she’d called a friend, a man I owed my life to for saving Celestina and could never repay. “Had he not argued and fought for her, she’d likely be dead—your daughter, too. And while you’re back, she doesn’t know if it’s for good.” I started to speak, but Madison waved her hand in the air halting my words. “I know you told her you were here for the long haul, but that’s going to take time to sink it. Hell, Beckett. We all feel guilty about what’s happened to her. Why didn’t we see it? When she asked to plan my wedding, I thought it was because she wanted to stay busy—now I realize it was to stay hidden.”

“Hidden?” I shifted Emilia in my hold and glance over at Celestina’s sleeping form.

“She’s been hurting since she woke up in the hospital. We thought she was coping… she wasn’t, and that’s on us… on her brothers. Trust me when I say they’re feeling as low as you. You and I both know what it’s like not to be able to help someone we love.” She paused, staring at me like she could see straight into my soul.

Over the last few days, Madison and I learned that we were cousins. Unlike my father, hers had been a loving parent until his wife was murdered. That was the catalyst to turn him into a drunk like my father. All this time, I thought I was alone in the world, and she’d been right here under my nose, barely surviving on her own.

“There have been nights I’ve worried about Massimo.” Her voice broke my trance. “He spaces out, and I can see the pain reflecting in his gaze. When he touches my stomach, it’s like he’s afraid. I’m terrified I’m going to lose him if we can’t find Carmela. He’s built a wall around him, Beckett. One, I fear I won’t be able to get through one day. And when that happens, my heart will crush inside my chest… baby or not. Without him, I’m nothing. So, don’t sit here… let me do that. You go out and find that bastard who’s destroyed… no, who’sdestroyingthis family.”

“I’m sorry, Bella.”

Massimo’s deep voice interrupted our conversation, causing Madison to startle and stand suddenly.

“Massimo.”

“Come here, Bella.” He held out his hand, beckoning her toward him. “I did not mean to make you feel afraid. I’m sad, but you and little bit,”—he pressed his hand to her barely swollen belly—“are the most important things to me. Yes… my family is important, but you will always come first.” He covered her mouth with his, making me turn away from the intimate moment. “Now. Beckett, my wife, is right.” He strode across the room and scooped Emilia from my arms, making me growl. “Calm down. I need your help, so letting Madison take over here is necessary. She understands you, Beckett. And since you are family in more ways than one, trust us to have your back.” He pressed a kiss to Emilia’s head. “We have information and are planning a strike.” He placed my daughter in his wife’s arms. “Channel this anger and help me end this. I’ll be downstairs. Madison, I love you. Fino a domani.”

“Be careful, Massimo.”

He dipped his head and left the room.

“Will you call me if something changes…” I paused, my eyes settling on Celestina’s still frame. “If she wakes up, make sure she knows I’m coming back, Madison. She’ll think I’ve abandoned her again. I don’t think she’ll survive that.”

“I’ll tell her, Beckett.” Madison pressed her hand to my back. “But she needs this done nearly as much as you do and will understand if you aren’t here.”

Pressing my lips to Celestina’s head, I gave Emilia one last kiss and left the room. Every step I took away from her splintered my heart a little more. Pushing down the pain, I strode down the steps to find Massimo, Vincenzo, Antonio, Michael, Donny, Alex, Filippo, and his son, Lorenzo, gathered in the living room.

“You ready?” Vincenzo asked, knowing how hard it was for me to leave Celestina.

“Yes. Where are we going?”

“To meet up with the Silva brothers. Apparently Cristian and Katya, Matais’ wife, have found something. We’re heading to Vin’s place, where they’ve set up shop, to get the details. Miguel will be meeting us there. He’s got intel as well on Manuel.”

We loaded into the car, leaving Antonio, Michael, and Filippo behind. Apparently, Massimo wasn’t willing to trust the women to just anyone. Miguel had sent over several of his men to stand sentry outside, ensuring they were completely secure. I still felt restless, knowing the woman I loved was left vulnerable, despite having armed men surrounding her.

Pulling into Vincenzo’s house, I forced myself to breathe. If the information they had didn’t lead us to Carmela or Miguel, there was only one way we’d get him out of his hiding place. Glancing around at the men as we climbed the steps, I knew telling them what I was thinking would get a load of kickback, but at that moment, I shoved down my thoughts and followed their lead.

I came to a stop as we stepped into the dining room. A beautiful blonde woman sat beside a man I recognized from Massimo’s house. They were working intently on their computers, looking up only when Matias spoke.

“Ah, I see you’ve made it. Come, sit down. Cristian and my wife have much to share with you. Katya.” He stepped behind the woman and placed a kiss on her lips when she looked up at him. “You remember Massimo and his brothers?”

“Yes. I’m sorry we’re meeting like this, though. I’d hoped it would be for a wedding.” Her thick Russian accent held a hint of amusement. “Come, we have much to share with you.”

Taking a chair opposite Katya, I waited with bated breath for her to tell us how we were going to bring down the monster who’d nearly taken everything from me.

“So… what do you have?”

My question drew a grunt out of Lorenzo, but I ignored him, not giving two fucks about his opinion of me.

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