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"She's been taken," Antonio explains in a rush, "kidnapped by the Petrov family. We don't know where they're holding her or if they're even alive, but we need your help to find them. To find her."
"You let her get abducted?" I roar furiously, filled with disbelief.
Xavier throws his hands up and says, "It's not like we walked her to their doorstep, Lucas, she left!"
She left? "Why the hell would she leave?"
The two of them exchange a look of guilt. It's their fault.
My mind races as I take in Antonio's words and they hit me like a ton of bricks. Mia, kidnapped by the Petrov family - it's a nightmare scenario. I can't even imagine what she must be going through right now. And then there's the fact that Xavier and Antonio are asking for my help. I'm not sure if I can trust them, but I have to try. For Mia's sake.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the rage boiling inside me. "Why should I help you? You two let her get abducted."
Xavier flinches at my harsh words, but Antonio steps forward, his eyes pleading.
"We messed up, Lucas. We know that. But we're the only ones who know the Petrov family well enough to help find her. Please, just hear us out."
"Hear you out?" I repeat in outrage. "This is your fault. You let this happen--did you kick her out?"
"No," they shout back over each other.
"We never would do something like that," Xavier says firmly.
"Mia left by choice," Antonio adds quickly, looking over at his partner with a piercing stare.
I scoff and shake my head incredulously. "Clearly you made her feel that she needed to leave." I watch as their faces fall and know the answer before they even say it.
With one swift look around, I know I can trust them--but only out of desperation for Mia's safety though. At least, enough to let me know this is important and worth risking my life for hers again if need be..
"Why come to me?" I ask.
Xavier steps forward, a pleading look in his eyes. "You have connections, you can help."
"So? What makes you think I can help?" I ask, my voice cold and clipped. "That I want to help you?"
"Come on Lucas, don't play dumb," Xavier snaps. "We know you have connections in the police and the FBI. You can find anything."
"We need you to find her," Antonio presses.
"Fine," I say finally. "But we do this my way."
Antonio nods eagerly and Xavier looks relieved.
"Thank you, Lucas," he says fervently.
"But if I find out you're lying or using me in any way," I warn, "I won't hesitate to take you down."
They both nod, understanding the severity of my threat.
"Let's get to work," I say, taking charge of the situation.
53
LUCAS
"What do we do first?" Xavier asks, looking more than ready to spring into action.
I glare at the two of them. "You go home. You wait for me to call you. You do absolutely nothing."
