Page 64 of Sicilian Savior

I helped them up, gave Lucia a kiss, and got to work showing Luca the best ways to filet a fish. When we finished, I washed my hands, smacked Lucia on the ass, and whispered a few things I intended to do to her after Luca went to sleep.

A pink blush spread across her cheeks before she leaned up and pressed her lips to mine. “Hurry back so we can eat and put him to bed.”

I pressed her against my body and whispered, “I’ll drive like the fucking wind.”

“I love you,” she said as I walked out the door.

Turning back around, I blew her a kiss and winked. “I love you more.”

I jumped on Axel. After a quick ride to town and picking five different flavors of ice cream since I couldn’t decide, I veered my bike back up the drive to the house we temporarily called home.

Nothing was out of place as I parked my bike, but an inexplicable shudder traveled through me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as a feeling of unease settled into the pit of my stomach. Every bone in my body screamed danger, and it was a feeling I’d learned to listen to long ago. A sixth sense I’d honed.

I climbed off my bike, taking cautious steps toward the house, surveying my surroundings as I approached. When I got to the front porch, my heart stalled out when I saw the open front door. I leaned down and pulled the sidepiece from my ankle holster, flipping off the safety as I lifted it up.

“Lucia?” I called. “Are you in here?”

Nothing.

“Luca?”

I reached the front door, peeking inside and scanning the room, my training and instincts taking over.

Nothing.

A little farther, and I saw the remnants of a broken glass in a pool of water on the hallway floor. My heart pounded as I moved through the house, looking for any signs of life.

Or death.

The latter thought nearly took me to my knees as I wondered if I’d stumble upon them every time I turned a corner. I’d gone into countless situations like this one in my life, my gun drawn as I moved room to room, not knowing what I’d find, but in all those times, I’d never felt fear coursing through my veins like I did now. Pure terror pumped through my body, but I ignored it as I continued searching for my family, hoping and praying I’d find them alive.

When I finished searching the house and found no sign of blood or a struggle, I exhaled a breath. At least they were alive when they’d left here.

My stomach clenched when I saw Lucia’s purse and cell phone on the table, knowing she’d never have willingly left it behind. And she always left little notes for me when she ran errands or had to step out.

No note was pinned to the corkboard in the hallway, and I didn’t have to stretch my imagination far to know exactly where they were.

With Victor.

The monster inside me raged once again, and I narrowed my eyes as I picked up my phone.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Knox

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“What’s up, Beefcake?” Wes answered.

“Lucia and Luca... they’re gone.” The words felt like razorblades tearing out my throat just uttering them out loud.

His chipper tone dropped when he breathed out, “What?”

“Front door open. Shattered glass. Her car and purse are still here.”

“Where... what...”

“Have you found Victor?”