Page 144

Dima laughs, rolling up his sleeve, showing off a large snake tattoo, and finally takes a glance at Sage. An evil chuckle rolls off his tongue as he takes two long strides toward her.

She hisses when he jerks her head to the side, forcing her to look at me. “You can thank your sister here for reuniting us.” He roughly taps Sage’s cheek. Dropping her head, he walks in front of me.

I wince, pain riding up my face when he rips off the tape.

“Sister?” I shriek, setting my eyes on Sage.

She’s not as shocked as I am.

She knew.

A tear falls down my cheek, and she turns her head away, looking away.

Dima laughs again and rips the tape off Sage’s mouth. “Oh, that’s not even the biggest secret she’s kept from you.”

42

Antonio speedsstraight to the shelter and swerves into the back alley, where Emilio awaits us.

I jump out of the car and punch Emilio in the face.

“Shit,” he hisses, rubbing his jaw. “I deserved that.”

I shake out my fist. “You’d better hope we find her.”

Emilio nods, his face burning. “I won’t sleep until we do.”

He knows he fucked up. While we all bitch anytime we havebodyguard duty, we know it’s still an important job. The person we’re watching needs to stay safe. It stings when shit goes wrong as a result of our incompetence.

Emilio and I grew up together. Both our fathers were Lombardi capos, and now, both of them are dead. Enemies murdered mine, but Emilio’s father?

Wemurdered him.

He’d chosen Antonio’s uncle’s side during the civil war. I’d never seen Emilio so torn when he had to turn his back on his own blood. There was an internal struggle, but Emilio’s father was also a piece of shit, not a good one, like mine.

Like me, Emilio has seen a lot of death.

Also like me, he holds most of that shit inside.

Damien steps out of the car, kicking a takeout container away with his foot. “We’ll find her. Don’t worry, Julian.”

His assurance doesn’t help.

I’ll fucking worry until Genesis is back in my arms.

Emilio jerks his head toward the back door, and we follow him. He knocks on it, and Ollie answers, sticking his head out and waving us inside. The five of us walk toward Lora’s office in a straight line as women and children gape at us.

Ollie slaps me on my back when we reach the doorway. “I pulled up the security footage. We have the make and model of the van and the plate number.”

I jerk my chin toward him. “I appreciate it, man.”

Lora jumps up from her chair when we enter. Her eyes are red and puffy, and a wadded tissue is in her hand.

“Julian!” She rushes over to hug me. “I’m so sorry! Safe Hearts has always been a safe space. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

I tap her shoulder in comfort. “It’s not your fault, Lora. You just stay calm and take care of the shelter. We’ll find Genesis.”

“Please”—her lower lip trembles—“you have to.”