Page 24 of My Sweetest Obsession

I couldn’t tear my eyes away, witnessing the blood seeping from her skin, the water torturing her fragile form. The video ended with a sinister laugh, a taunt I knew was meant to break me.

I hurled the phone across the room, but Matteo caught the device before it collided with the wall. I unleashed my fury on the furniture, throwing a chair at the window, its glass cracking. Every item within reach was swept off my desk, and I pounded the wall, my knuckles splitting open, the pain a mere echo compared to the torment in my heart.

Matteo and Luca wrestled me back, their strong arms restraining my wild swings. “Get a hold of yourself, Nico!” Matteo’s shouted, his grip tight.

“We need you focused,” Luca said, his breath ragged. “Gigi needs you, so don’t let this break you. It’s exactly what he wants.”

I shook them off and stumbled toward the window, struggling to keep my shit together. With a deep breath, I willed myself to regain control, my anger transforming into determination.

“Luca, analyze that video and find any clues or location details. We need to narrow down her whereabouts.”

Luca nodded, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

Alphonse’s number lit up my screen, and I answered the call.

“What the hell is this?!” he growled through the line.

“A warning,” I bit out, my jaw clenching. “A message that he’s in control, and we can’t do shit to stop him.” I slammed my hand on the desk.

He chuckled derisively. “Of course he believes that. He’s been watching your every move. I had a conversation with the Capo della Polizia today. They intercepted some chatter regarding four drug mules trafficking heroine to Italy.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Alphonse’s tone grew graver as he continued. “When they apprehended the women, two of them died from an overdose at the airport.” He sighed heavily. “They were barely twenty years old.”

“What about the other two?” I asked. “Did they mention who took them?”

“Yes. The Puppet Master.”

My breath quickened, each inhale sharp and jagged. I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to dull the migraine that was forming.

The hot, seething anger pulsed through my veins, reminding me of the beast inside me trying to break free. I could feel it thrash against my ribcage with every heartbeat, demanding to make his presence known and avenge our girl.

“Did they get a good look at the man?” I asked, snapping my fingers at Matteo and Luca. They leaned in, their focus intense.

“Yes. I’m sending you his mugshot and information now.”

My phone dinged, and I pulled up the file, forwarding it to Luca. I narrowed my eyes as I scanned the man’s image—tattoos crawling up his face like a spider’s web, and he had a criminal record the size of a book, including sexual assault of a minor. His name was Gabriel Sanchez.

“We’ve pinpointed a few of his houses in Chicago,” Alphonse said curtly.

My body tensed. “Chicago?”

“Yes. The coordinates are coming to you now.”

The phone dinged again, and I pulled up the GPS data. “Received. We’re on it.”

“I’m catching a flight to you in the next few days, and I’ll have some of my men with me,” he said with determination. “Torture every motherfucker you come across until one of them gives up his whereabouts. We will do whatever it takes to bring my daughter home.”

And my woman, I thought, my anger fueling my resolve. I wasn't backing down either.

Ibraced myself against the car, my breath forming small clouds in front of my face.

“Luca, what do you see?” I asked, tugging my gloves on and scanning the area. We were in the middle of nowhere.

Luca was crouched with the handheld thermal scanner, his brow furrowed. He adjusted the device, the screen flickering to life. “There’s one guard outside and”—he paused, squinting at the screen— “and two inside sitting at a table.”

“That's it?” Lo asked, retrieving the weapons from the trunk with Matteo and Miguel. “This mission will be a piece of cake,” he added.