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She’s a defiant little thing, though, I have to admit. She never wants to do as she’s told, but don’t worry, we’ve taken great care of her.

Taken great care of her?! Look at her! My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, each beat echoing with an intensity that was foreign to me. An unfamiliar fire ignited within me, a mix of rage and helplessness that surged through my veins. I could feel the heat rising in my face, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts.Every fibre of my being screamed for justice, a fury so intense I could almost taste it.

She doesn’t belong to you anymore.

Don’t bother trying to find her. She’s his now.

“Motherfuckers!” I roared, gripping my phone tightly as the messages stopped. All eyes landed on me, including Kip’s.

“Mate, what is it?” Gino questioned, snatching the phone from my hand. It took him a split second to scan the messages. “Shit.”

“Who the fuck has her, Kip?!” I demanded. “This isn’t a game anymore! They’ve hurt her, beaten her to within an inch of her life,” I seethed.

“I-I don’t know,” he whimpered. “I’m s-sorry.” His apology was useless and pathetic, one I didn’t wish to hear again.

I didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. I strode back to where he hung, not thinking twice as I sliced my blade across his neck, making one clean, perfect cut. He spluttered for a few seconds before his head drooped. “Get rid of him,” I said. Red and Finn were more than happy to oblige. “Meet me at the house once it’s done.”

“Where we off to?” Gino asked as he followed me out of the warehouse.

“Victor’s.”

I strodeup the steps of Victor’s house, not stopping until I hammered on the door. Within minutes, Florence appeared, pulling it open, her smile fading the second she saw me.

“Where is he?” I asked, not in the mood for pleasantries.

She scowled. “I don’t see how that is any of your business, Lorenzo.”

“I won’t ask again, Florence,”

“His office.” She sighed. “Is it about Anastacia?”

I didn’t answer. She didn’t deserve to know. They didn’t give a shit before, so why now? I stormed down the corridor towards Victor’s office. It was about time he realised all this happened because of him.

I kicked his door in, four pairs of eyes honed in on me, including his.

“Ricci, you seem to have lost your manners.” Victor scoffed, sipping his whiskey, the cigar smoke from the ashtray surrounding him.

My eyes scanned the men as their eyes darted between Victor and me. And, of course, Chad was there.

I slid my phone across Victor’s desk, ignoring his last smartass comment. It took him a second to realise what he was looking at, but then the penny dropped. He was looking at his daughter. His fingers tightened on the phone, his face falling as he took in all the details.

“Still think she’s seeking attention?” I questioned, snatching my phone back from his bandaged fingers.

“I’ll help you find her,” he said quickly and without hesitation. “Whatever it takes, I’ll?—“

“Shut up, Victor,” I snapped, cutting him off. He flinched, something I had never seen. Chad stood to interject, but I didn’t even warrant him with a glance. “You can sit the fuck down, too. This has nothing to do with you, you useless piece of shit.” I slammed my fist on Victor’s desk. “You thought she was craving attention and being dramatic.”

Victor opened his mouth to protest, but I cut the bastard off, yet again.

“You didn’t want to help before, and I most certainly don’t need your help now,” I sneered. “You’ve done enough damage already.”

“I’ve always tried to protect her! How the hell is this my fault?!” He stood, his chair tumbling to the floor.

“Maybe you need to take a good hard look at who you employ then, Victor, since one of the men that took her had a snake tattoo on his neck. Fair enough, it was burned off, but that’s your mark.Yourfucking mark, Victor!”

“That’s absurd!” It was clear he was in denial, his face a picture as if he couldn’t believe anyone on his team, past or present, would betray him.

“There’s nothing absurd about it. Someone you banished took my wife as some sort of vendetta against you,” I sneered. “You haven’t made one move since seeing Anastacia’s photo,” I said. “Actually, that’s a lie. You stood up. Well done, father of the year.” I clapped my hands in a sarcastic gesture as his eyes narrowed. “You really don’t care about her, do you?”