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“I told you, didn’t I?” she whispers, barely audible. “We’re just toys to them.”

Her husband calls again and she walks away faster. I watch her disappear, her figure swallowed by the hall.

Chapter Twenty-One – Vieri

The moment the call drops, I toss the phone across the room. It clatters hard against the marble floor, but it doesn’t break. Pity. I needed the release.

My glare sweeps the room like a loaded weapon. Enzo sits on the edge of the table, teeth gritted as he presses a blood-soaked cloth to his hand. Alfio stands beside him, still breathing hard. Omero leans against the wall, arms folded, eyes sharp.

“I’m sorry,” Alfio starts, voice low.

I cut him off. “I asked for one thing.”

My voice isn't raised, but it vibrates with heat. The way fire simmers before it explodes.

“One fucking thing. Don’t lose her.”

“We didn’t lose her,” Enzo groans, shifting his weight. “She was kidnapped.”

His face is pale, sweat pearling at his brow. Blood runs sluggishly through his fingers, soaking the cloth. Omero places a firm hand on his shoulder, muttering, “The doctor’s on his way. Just hang on.”

I ignore them.

My chest heaves, not from exertion but fury, cold and heavy in my ribs. My hands don’t shake, not even as I walk to the gun rack and unclip the gun. The weight of it grounds me. I chamber a round with one flick of my wrist.

“Lapo wouldn’t just take her out of the blue,” Enzo mutters, voice tight. “What did you do to him?”

I turn slowly.

Omero straightens. “He’s got a point. That bastard’s a parasite, but he doesn’t move without motive. What aren’t you telling us?”

I stare at them both.

Then I walk to the door.

Enzo stands abruptly, swaying. “If you’re going after her, I’m coming with you.”

I stop in the threshold, head tilting back just enough to see him from the corner of my eye. My voice comes quiet. Controlled.

“Sit. The fuck. Down. Before I break your legs myself.”

He blinks, stunned into stillness. I don’t wait for him to answer.

Turning fully to Omero, I nod toward Enzo. “Get him patched up. Keep him in bed. The house is yours until I get back. Try not to lose it like you lost her.”

Omero scowls but doesn’t argue. He moves toward Enzo and catches him by the elbow, easing him toward the hall.

“You okay?” he murmurs. Enzo shakes him off but leans on him anyway.

I shift my focus to Alfio.

“Come with me.”

****

Rubber screeches against asphalt as we tear out of the driveway. Alfio mutters something beside me—maybe a curse but I’m not listening. My grip on the wheel is white-knuckled, the leather biting into my palms. I don't blink when we run the first red light. Or the second. Horns blare around us, tires squeal in protest, and a car veers off the road with a terrified honk.

“You’re gonna kill us,” Alfio breathes, bracing one hand against the dash. “Slow down, Vieri.”