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The screen lights up—a photo of Maria on our wedding day, looking as beautiful as ever.

I exhale sharply through my nose, forcing my rage into focus. I can’t afford to let it consume me. Not yet.

Then, the blasting of my phone pulls me from my innermost thoughts.

An unknown number stares at me, my lips peel away from my teeth in a sneer. I already fucking know who it is.

I answer without hesitation. “Where is she?”

A chuckle. Slow. Cruel. Mocking.

“Matteo, Matteo,” Giacomo drawls, as if we’re old friends sharing a drink. “You sound a little tense. It’s so early in the morning, too. Shall we book you for a Swedish massage? It did wonders for my back.”

My entire body goes rigid, my fingers curling into a fist. “Where is my wife, you sick, twisted bastard?”

“Tsk.” He clicks his tongue. “So demanding. And here I was, hoping we could chat. After all, I am the one who called you. Not her.”

I grit my teeth, my heart pounding. “Where is my wife, Giacomo? If you hurt her, then I will?—”

He chuckles again—darker this time. “You’ll kill me?”

A pause, heavy and deliberate.

“We both know that’s how this ends. So, why not have a little fun before the curtain falls? Come on… where’s your spirit?”

My jaw locks. “Giacomo?—”

“My God, I don’t remember you being so whiny,” he sighs dramatically like I’m straining him. “Maria is still in one piece—for now. I can’t just take her and kill her. Do you give me no credit for my craft?”

A sharp breath escapes my teeth. “What do you want?”

Giacomo laughs. “Isn’t it obvious by now? I want you to suffer. I had Daniele… and now I’ve taken Maria. And the cherry on top?” His voice drips with venom. “She knows it was your cold-blooded hands that killed her brother.”

He pauses, savoring the moment.

“Tell me—how did she look at you when she found out the truth? When she realized the kind of monster you really are? God, I wish I’d been there. I’ve been sitting on that little piece of information for a long time.”

He was the one who told her.

A fire ignites in my chest, blinding. “If you touch her?—”

“If?” He tsks again. “Matteo, Matteo. Let’s be honest with each other. We both know you’re running out of time. But seeing as it took you so long to figure out the warehouse, I’m going to throw you a bone. Call it my one act of kindness this year.”

My knuckles turn white, gripping my phone for dear life.

Valerio grunts under his breath, his own hands tightening around the wheel. I feel the car push forward as he makes his foot heavier, increasing the speed.

Giacomo’s voice drops into something colder. Darker.

“You have until noon,” he murmurs. “Or I start delivering Maria to you—piece by piece.”

My stomach twists. A growl rips from my throat. “You mother fu?—”

“Ah, ah, ah. Careful now, you wouldn’t want to upset me. I get a little handsy when I’m angry.” Giacomo’s amusement only grows. “As for that bone I said I was going to throw you. Listen very carefully, my old friend. You will need to catch this one quickly if you wish to save the damsel.”

I clench my teeth, my breath coming fast and hard. “Out with it.”

“Return to the ghost of the past, of the one you cherished last. Some memories you shared once you cared. Out with the old and in with the new. She looks oddly familiar to her, too.”