Page 136 of Contract of a Billionaire

“You’re going to come home,” I growled. “I’ll come for you. Just hang in there. I’m coming for you. You just stay alive. Be strong, just a bit longer.”

Shouting and screams filled the background.

“Autumn, we have to run.” A woman’s voice. Baby crying. Men shouting. “The Taliban found us.”

My heart froze. It fucking froze. I’d gone through my share of things but this fear was unlike anything else I experienced.

I could hear her deep inhale, like she needed courage.

“Kol, Mommy loves you,” she whispered. “O-okay?”

“Okay, Maman.”

“Good boy,” she croaked. “I have to talk to your daddy.”

I nodded at Bianca and she took him out of the room.

“Please take care of Kol. My parents… please keep them in Kol’s life. Keep him safe. Not a part of crime. Make him feel l-loved, and if he f-forgets me,” her voice broke and a hiccup escaped her, “ –tell him I’ll always love him.”

Her last word broke on a choked sob. “You’ll tell him yourself,” I said firmly. “We are going to raise him together. The right way.”

She whimpered while explosions sounded in the background. “I-I’m scared, Alessio,” she admitted with a soft sob. “I never thought it’d end– “

“This is not the end,” I growled. “Just the beginning. You are mine. You’ve always been mine. And I’ll be damned if I let this be it. I’ll come and get you,” I vowed. “I’ll get you and God help me, Autumn, I’m never letting you go. And wherever you go, I’ll go.” She whimpered. “Don’t cry, love. I’m coming for you.”

A high-pitched scream sounded in the background. Blaze of gunfire, shots, more screams.

“Autumn?” I roared.

More screams.

“Head down.” A man’s voice barked at her. Her voice was distant, shaky. I could feel her fear in my own bones.

A loud blast echoed through the line. Another explosion.

“Autumn, listen to me,” I shouted, getting her attention. “Stay on the line. We need to trace the call. So we can get the location.”

Another roar of an explosion sounded through the receiver. And then dreaded silence followed.

“Autumn?” I rasped. No answer. “Autumn?” I roared.

My eyes frantically turned to search out Nico. Dread pooled in my stomach at his expression.

“Did you get the location?” The voice didn’t sound like mine, it was too calm. Too distant. But my mouth moved, the question was mine.

“I have the general area,” Nico answered. “It should be enough to scan. Something to start with.”

“We should head out today,” Sasha grumbled. “The longer they’re there, the less chance of their survival.” I nodded. “If the Taliban captures them, they’ll r–”

“Don’t you fucking say it,” I warned, my control fraying. “Don’t you dare.”

Sasha gave me a somber look. “Just be prepared. She might not be the same.”

He’d know. He saw my sister’s face right before she took her own life.

* * *

Almost three months.