Page 71 of Innocent Bratva Twins

“I’ll have my phone on me. If you need anything, shout. It’s just a precaution, man. But I feel a lot better having you here. There’s a cold beer in the fridge. I think there’s leftover pizza, too.”

“Aah. That sounds like exactly what I need. Pizza.” Luka says, pressing his hand over his stomach. “Please tell me it’s that bacon, pine nut one with the dark sauce.”

I grin. “It is.”

“Fuck yeah,” he says, happily.

I say goodbye and head down to the car. Every time I leave her, I’m anxious about it. But I have no choice. I can’t just sit at home and wait for this mess to fix itself.

I work for hours, focused and dedicated.

The tiredness hits me around eleven in the morning. I guess I’m not superhuman after all. Being awake since two or three in the morning eventually catches up with you. Apparently, three hours' sleep isn’t enough.

I pick up my phone, trying to decide if I should grab something to eat and try to push through till midday or head home and get some rest.

I’ve gotten a lot done, and I definitely have the sense that I’m getting somewhere. I’m closer to getting to the bottom of all of it. I can feel it.

Sighing, I decide I should eat something and try to get a bit more work done. As much as I want to get back to Sera, I need to use my time to the fullest.

My phone rings just as I’m walking towards the elevators.

“Luka. Hey man, how’s it going there?” I ask.

“Nico—she’s gone. She got out. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“What the fuck?” I shout in panic. “How? What the hell happened?”

“I was—she—she snuck out. I fell asleep, but—“ he stammers.

“I’m coming home. Don’t fucking move,” I snap, running towards the elevator and slamming my finger against the button.

I close my eyes and take three deep, slow breathes. I can’t freak out. It’s not Luka’s fault. I can’t keep taking my anger out on my siblings. I need them with me.

All the way home, driving back to my apartment, I keep telling myself she’s okay. I need to stay calm—she’ll be fine. I’ll talk to Luka. We can get the guys together and get out there to look for her.

It’s going to be okay.

Upstairs, Luka is in a state.

"Fuck, man,” he says, his brows knitted together and his eyes dark as I walk into the penthouse. “I’m so sorry.”

I sigh, holding up my hands. “It’s okay. Just tell me what happened.”

“I had your house key clipped to my belt. I fell asleep for maybe an hour, around nine-thirty maybe. When I woke up, it was ten-thirty. At first, I didn’t realize she was gone. I went to warm up the rest of the pizza and realized the keys weren’t there—that’s when I noticed she was gone. The keys were unclipped from my belt, and she had snuck out. She’s been so quiet, just sitting in her room all morning—“

“It’s okay, man. It’s not your fault. Seriously. But we have to find her.”

Luka nods. “I called the guys. They’re already heading out with their eyes open. I’m going to check her apartment—Yilian is on his way here to look around the building and ask on the streets if anyone has seen her. We’re going to find her.”

“Okay, go, call me if you hear or see anything.”

Luka nods and runs towards the door. He tugs it open and disappears through it, leaving his laptop, notebook, and a half-finished beer on the coffee table.

I take a deep breath. Another one.

Where would she go?

Images flash through my mind, her body beneath mine, her lips parted, sweet little sounds in my ears, her skin, smooth and beautiful.