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The truth is, I am not so sure. I have no idea if he will come to his senses and finally believe me. I don’t entertain his question with my answer—because I don’t know it.

“I understand he is your boy, but there may come a time where you have to make a decision. We need to kill the entire hive, and if he is a part of it, then he will need to go down too.”

I don’t want to hear it. I don’t even want to entertain the possibility of that thought coming to life. I will walk away from this with my wife and my son.

Just as Dario opens his mouth again, both our phones buzz.

I glance down. Maria. Her name lights up my screen, and for a split second, the chaos of the world fades. A smile tugs at my lips—instinctive, helpless.

How quickly she’s become the still point in my spinning world. The calm in my storm.

I tap her name—and joy vanishes in an instant.

My stomach drops. Four words:You were right. Hurry.

I shoot up from my chair. Dario’s already on his feet, eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“Something’s wrong. Ginny sent me a message—‘Get to Matteo’s house. Fast.’” He scowls. “I thought you said that place was locked down tight.”

I’m already on my feet, storming toward the door. “I do.”

I made sure that not a single person could make it within a fifty-foot vicinity of her without me knowing. That place is an air-tight fortress—or so I thought.

“I need to get to her.”

Dario’s right behind me, his phone already to his ear. “Call your wife. I’m getting Gin.”

He glances at me, voice low and dangerous. “If they lay a hand on either of them, Matteo… I won’t wait for permission.”

My hand is already dialing Maria. But it rings, and there is no answer. I try again, but the same thing happens. My mind goes to the worst possible places, thinking the worst thing imaginable has happened to her.

The panic slowly begins to settle into the marrow of my bones. I move down the hallway, my mind going at a million miles a minute. I knew I should have never left her on her own. She is barely two weeks out of the hospital, and now she is?—

“Why does hell always break loose when Ginny’s with Maria?” Dario growls, his voice tight with urgency. “First your son, now this?” He rakes a hand through his hair, already pulling his phone back up. “If your security’s compromised, tell me. I’ll triple it myself.”

I grit my teeth but say nothing. He’s not blaming me—he’s scared. Same as I am.

“We move now,” I snap. “You can yell at me after they’re safe.”

We burst through the front doors, adrenaline thundering in my veins. Dario is already dialing again, jaw clenched, his phone pressed so tight to his ear it might crack.

“Still going to voicemail,” he mutters. “Fuck.”

I don’t wait. I throw open the driver’s side door and slide in like the car itself might explode if I don’t move fast enough. Dario jumps into the passenger seat, still trying Ginny, his knuckles white.

I slam the car into gear. Tires screech, metal groans, and we rocket out of the parking lot like demons are riding the bumper.

I dial Tony. One ring. He answers.

“Yes, boss?”

“Something’s wrong. Get inside—now. Find Maria and Ginny. I don’t care what you have to break down or who you have to go through.” My voice is ice and steel. “And whoever’s responsible? I want them breathing when I get there.”

“Yes, sir.”

The line cuts.