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“It’s possible,” I insisted.

“It’s possible,” Draco agreed, going back to his sandwich.

I slumped into the bed. “How did she escape?”

Atlas’s eyes darkened. “Men broke into your condo, subdued Iosif, and took her.”

A deep, primal roar erupted from my chest, reverberating through the confined space. With a jolt, I shot upright, only to be abruptly restrained by the unyielding straps that held me in place. An all-consuming fury, more intense than anything I had ever experienced, surged through me, sweeping away every trace of humanity. In that moment, I embraced the beast within, unleashing it with the desperate hope that this untamed part of myself might somehow find a way to rescue my wife from the peril she faced.

“Iosif said they spoke Italian. That she didn’t resist them,” Atlas added. “She might not have shot you, but this damns her, Markos. Even you can see that.”

I shook my head, whipping it back and forth. “She called her family, you idiot. Those aren’t the ones assassinating us.”

Atlas narrowed his eyes. “Her family?”

“Yes,” I seethed. “She’s a mafia princess, and her brother is a fucking don.”

“Oohhh shit,” Draco breathed.

“Yeah, and now they have her, they aren’t likely to give her back.” I dropped onto the pillow.

At least she was safe. Whatever unknown enemy we faced wouldn’t hurt her.

A dark resolve spread through me. First, I would eliminate the threat to my family, then I would bring her back, the queen that she was. Because Serena was my family. It needed to be safe here for her. I wouldn’t lose the only one who mattered. I never thought I would have a family of my own again, and I would be damned if I lost that now that the winds of fate blew her into my life.

Chapter 37 – Serena

The celery juice churned in my stomach. Rubbing my chest, I signaled Shepherd. “Could I please have some scrambled eggs?”

The butler’s professional façade was impeccable. But I knew him well enough to see the flicker of surprise in those knowing, sage eyes.

“Very good, signorina,” he intoned and left to tell one of the maids.

I felt Alessandro’s stare from the end of the table. Ignoring him, I leaned across and pointed to Penny’s toast. “Could I steal a slice of that?”

“Sure!” She passed her plate with a smile.

“It’s good to see you have such a healthy appetite, sorellina,” the don murmured.

I resisted the urge to throw something at his smug face. “The longer I’m away from the sea, the more it will fade.”

That drew his black brows together, but he didn’t reprove me. It was true, I was a changed woman. I was awake at this ungodly hour and had joined my family for the morning meal—which I was eating with gusto.

The crispy toast did little to settle my stomach.

But that had more to do with my brother’s stern countenance. Since myrescue,he’d been abominable. And I was equally pissy. This wasn’t what I wanted. I hadn’t called him to take me away.

But the great don of one of Chicago’s premier famiglias was not to be reasoned with.

No, when I asked him to fight for me, he’d simply scooped me up and forced me first into his car and then his private jet. The bastard.

“I just want to make sure Markos is okay,” I said, turning to glare at Sandro. “Please. Let me have my phone.”

“Alessio, it’s been bothering her for days,” Penny insisted, moving to place a hand on her husband’s. Underneath her feet, her shelter dog turned guard dog shifted.

I wanted nothing more than to crawl on the floor and cuddle Piccolo. He liked me, and he only tolerated my brother. I could use his comfort right now.

“No phones.” Alessandro stooped to pick up his briefcase. “I have something else for you, Serena.”