Page 63 of Wicked Knight 2

“Here.” He tossed it to me from the back seat.

Hot blood pumped hard and fast through my veins. The idea of never seeing her again made me want to punch a wall. Whoever helped her would pay dearly for this betrayal. As for Donata, she was never leaving the suite again. First I had to find her. I careened out of the parking lot and headed toward the main road out of town.

“There’s a cab over there.” Ivan pointed to the left.

I swerved over to the next lane and floored it. The adrenaline and rage gave me an odd sense of clarity. Donata was the mission. And this cab driver was in the way. When I caught up to it, I couldn’t see the woman’s face. I switched lanes and rammed my side of the vehicle against his.

“Pull over,” I called out.

As soon as he did, I pulled in behind him and jumped out. I stalked toward the yellow car with a million things going through my head. She lied about wanting to stay with me. Everything she did had been a calculated plan to get me to let down my guard. All the times we were together had been an act.

I opened the passenger door and froze. The woman staring up at me in terror and with tears in her eyes wasn’t Donata.

“Where the fuck is my wife?” I asked Ivan as I stomped back to the car.

“Get out of here.” Ivan shoved the cab driver back into his car and slammed his hand on the roof. He shuffled toward me with his hands up in the air as if I were some wild animal who needed to be handled with caution. “She could be anywhere by now, brother. She’s gone.”

As the vehicle pulled away, I braced my hands on my knees and screamed. Last night, she’d fallen asleep in my arms after we had sex. Now she was out of my life for good.

“She had no money. Or a phone.” I lifted my gaze to meet Ivan’s. “She couldn’t have done this on her own. Someone helped her. And I’m going to find out who. When I do, the asshole will pay with his life.”

“Maybe Galina or Belinda saw something.” Tore stepped into my line of sight. “Let’s go home.”

“Let’s go. If Belinda did this, she will be sorry she ever met me.” I climbed into the back seat and let my head fall back. “Fuck.”

Tore put the car in gear and merged into traffic. A part of me wanted to stay and keep looking for her. But that was a fool’s errand. Hiding wasn’t Donata’s style. She knew she had to keep moving. Ivan was right. She was long gone.

By the time the SUV crossed the compound gates, the adrenaline rush had subsided, leaving me with a numbing ache in my chest. As drained as I felt, my conversation with Belinda couldn’t wait. Out of everyone in the house, she was the only who didn’t agree with my decision to marry Donata.

I took long strides across the courtyard and headed straight for the kitchen. As soon as I entered, Galina and Belinda shot to their feet. The horror on their faces told me they knew why I was here, why I was on this war path.

“Maxim.” Belinda burst into tears. “We didn’t know she was going to try and escape.”

“She didn’t try, Belinda.” I prowled toward her. “She succeeded. You helped her, didn’t you?” I reached for her throat. “Don’t lie to me.”

“Maxim.” Galina gripped the edges of her apron. “Belinda was with me the whole time. She couldn’t have done it. It’s not her fault.”

“What makes you so sure?” I released Belinda to glare at Galina. “My wife is gone. Someone helped her. And I want to know who.” I raised my voice.

Galina’s body jerked, as her eyes filled up with tears. “I was here all morning. I never saw her. Did you ask the gate guards?”

“Of course I did. They didn’t see her either.” I fisted my hand and slammed it on the table. “Fuck.” I stormed out of the kitchen.

Ivan caught up with me at the top of the stairs. “Do you think the Italians will retaliate? I mean, there’s a good chance she knows how to get back here. What if she brings a whole army to get her revenge.”

I stopped to look at him. “I hope she does.”

“Maxim, you’re not thinking straight. Let’s talk it over with Papa.” He pointed at the library door.

“I need to be alone.” I shook my head.

“Fuck. We should’ve asked for a ransom when we had the chance.”

“Shut the fuck up.” I stared at him. “Is that all you can think about? Money. She’s my wife, Ivan.”

“Okay, yeah, I get it.” He swallowed. “You fell in love with the enemy. You lost yourself in the game. Or did you forget why she was here in the first place? It was all to avenge your mother’s death. She got in your head.” He jabbed a finger at his temple. “That’s what the Italian pigs do. She used you.”

“Shut up.” I punched him square on the jaw. When he dropped to the floor, I hovered over him. “I haven’t forgotten about my mother and what she had to endure.”

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