Page 103 of Vows of a Mobster

I picked up my cell phone and went to dial, when Antonio’s voice had me stopping. “Mateo.”

There was agitation and anger on his face. “What happened?” There had to be some more shit happening with Irish.

“It’s Brianna,” he started and I instantly tensed. “She left the house and they can’t find her.”

“Did they check her house?” I asked him, working hard to temper my anger.

He nodded. “She’s not there either. The men watching the house said she never came.”

I dialed her number, but the phone rang without an answer, going straight to her voicemail.

“Who was watching her?” I bellowed with rage.

“Luca,” he answered, trying to remain calm. “He has been looking for her since seven a.m. She must have snuck out of the house.”

This didn’t make any sense. She was bringing Emma over to live with us. I thought back to yesterday. We didn’t bother with a condom. Was she seeing a doctor?

“Check her OB/GYN,” I demanded. “Check the whole goddamn city. And put a fucking tracker on her phone.”

I was always known for my cold demeanor and for my reason. But now, I wanted to rage, break everything within my reach. My eyes landed on my desk, where I first tasted her, where I first had her and I balled my fists.

Was she lying to me last night?

I gritted my teeth, furious. She knew all I wanted to do was keep her and Emma safe. And now, she was out there alone. Declan or his men could get her. I saw the way he watched her yesterday. He liked what he saw, his eyes roaming her body.

“Mateo, we’ll find her,” Antonio was still here. “I promise-”

He was interrupted by his phone ringing. He answered and I knew it was about Brianna.

“They found her,” he told me while he was still listening to whoever was talking on the other line. “She is back at her cottage.”

I didn’t wait for the rest. I left my office, and the few people that were around disbursed in front of me like the Red Sea, scurrying away.

“Mateo,” Marcus’ voice reached me.

“Not now.”

He grabbed my arm. “I need to talk to you.”

With speed, my hand wrapped around his throat and pushed him against the wall. His body shook the wall from the force of the impact.

“Not now!” I snarled at my younger brother.

Surprise and fear flashed in his eyes. Maybe he finally understood.

“Mateo,” Antonio’s voice was behind me, his hand came to my shoulder. I shook it off. I didn’t want to hear his voice, I didn’t want his hand on my shoulder. The only one I wanted was Brianna. Her soft voice, her hands on me.

“Mateo,” Antonio repeated.

“What’s the matter, brother?” Marcus was dumb to talk. “Brianna ditched you already? She’s too good for you.”

My fist connected with his jaw before I could think. And I didn’t stop.

“You. Don’t. Speak. Her. Name.” I punched him again.

“Is jealousy eating at you? Can’t compete with the younger studs?” he taunted.

Rage burst through my blood, making me see red. I pulled my gun out and pushed it against his skull.