Page 38 of My Sweetest Obsession

“Thank you,” I said, my voice steady, but the beast inside me was threatening to reveal himself and go on a killing spree.

“I’m glad we were able to save you,” I said. But my heart couldn’t help wishing Gigi had been found then too.

“Nico, please find Gigi and bring her back home.”

“I will,” I promised.

Even if I had to die to get her.

My knuckles turned white as I pounded the punching bag, each blow driven by the anger simmering inside me. Matteo struggled to keep the bag steady, his arms shaking from the force of my strikes. The sound of my rage echoed through the gym, a primal release of emotion.

After the incident at the funeral, we were still not close to finding Gigi. The pain of her continued absence and not being any closer to finding her was like a festering wound, driving me to the brink.

“Damn it, Nico, you’re gonna break the bag!” Matteo shouted, his voice barely audible over the thunderous strikes.

My fist was cocked, ready to strike, when the doors swung open.

Miguel who was standing in the doorway with serious expression immediately caught my attention.

“Boss, Enzo is here,” Miguel said.

“What the hell does he want?” I spat, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

“He claims to have information about the bomber.”

My heart skipped a beat, torn between feeling hope and battling against my seething anger. “Let him in,” I growled.

Enzo strolled into the room, his posture relaxed as if he hadn't shattered my trust. My jaw clenched at the sight of him.

“Enzo,” I snarled, my hands still curled into fists.

He met my furious gaze without flinching.

“Nico! I got something,” Luca said as he bounded down the steps two at a time. He halted in place when he looked at Enzo.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Uh, maybe I’ll tell you later.”

“No,” I snapped. “Tell me now. Did you find something on the cell phone that could lead us to the Puppet Master?”

Enzo’s head snapped in my direction. “What are you talking about? Has he been sending you messages?”

When I didn’t respond, Enzo cursed under his breath. “Damnit, Nico! I told you to tell me everything. How can I help you find Gigi if you keep me in the dark?”

“What did you find?” I asked Luca, ignoring Enzo.

“Right,” he replied, stepping closer, his expression grave. He handed me a stack of papers. “These are text messages from the Puppet Master to Smiley.”

“Enzo, did you have some information about the bomber?” I asked, scanning the series of messages.

“Yes. His name was Rafael Santiago,” Enzo said. “He was normal as they came. Blue-collar. Divorced, with a family we managed to locate—all unharmed, by the way.”

“Then how the hell did he have connections with the PM?” Matteo asked.

We all turned to him. “The what now?” Enzo asked.

“The PM,” Matteo said like we should already know. “The Puppet Master. It’s a stupid name anyway, and way too fucking long.”