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I heard my father and Enzo arguing in the background, their voices getting louder and louder and eventually snapping through my thoughts.
“Brianna would never have let me take advantage of her,” Enzo said matter-of-factly.
“Are you saying that you didn’t screw her?” Carrick snapped, and I turned and glared at him.
“Carrick!” Dad and I barked at the same time. “That’s my sister, you asshole!” I punched his shoulder. Bree and I might not always get along, but I wasn’t going to stand for anyone talking about her like that.
“I’m not prepared to discuss the details of my physical relationship with Brianna in front of her family, and you should be more damned respectful.” He glared at Carrick, and I saw the sliver of evil in him. He was more civilized than the rest of the beasts he called famiglia, but it was there… but why would he want to sabotage the deal he’d made? It didn’t make sense.
“Please watch your language, Carrick,” Dad followed up.
I glanced over at Cait. She was watching the whole thing with an anxious gleam in her eyes, clutching the edge of my dad’s desk. She looked so frightened and alone, like she was completely falling apart.
It reminded me of the day she’d found out her parents were dead. She’d been so lost in her own grief that I’d had to pick her up and carry her out of the principal’s office. In that moment, our little feud wasn’t important… and it wasn’t now either. She needed someone.
Fuck it.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on Enzo as they argued amongst themselves, so I took that as my opportunity to move next to Cait. She was trembling, and I ached to put my arm around her and comfort her, but I was sure she would just push me away.
I heard them mention a boat… Mom and Quinn had been killed on a boat.
I felt sick.
“Do we know how she was taken?” Enzo queried and I tuned back into the conversation.
“From outside Cait’s apartment. Pulled into a van,” I replied, narrowing my eyes at him. Was he really innocent in all this? How did we know this wasn’t pay back for us going after the Cambria Heights warehouse? He’d sent us there… this could all be a set up… no. It couldn’t be. It just didn’t make sense for this to be his doing. There were faster, more deadly ways to hit us where it hurt… there was no need for all the theatre between him and my sister.
“She was coming back for you,” Cait said tearfully, offering him a sympathetic smile. I stared down at her and prayed she wasn’t wrong about him. I had no idea where her faith in him had come from, but if she trusted him, then I had no choice but to trust him too.
Moments later, Jerry stumbled into the office, a small box in his hands. He looked ill.
No.
“What is it, Jerry?” Dad asked. “Please tell me that’s not…” his voice broke. He already knew what it was. We all did.
Jerry gave my dad the box. He looked inside, even though he knew. He gagged, rushing towards the bathroom attached to his office and then locked himself inside.
Enzo prowled closer, peering over the edge of the box.
“Fuck!” he yelled, and suddenly, I knew he’d not been involved in this. He looked gutted. Like he’d rather be dead than contemplate what was happening to the woman he loved.
Despite what I’d said and done, despite knowing how she felt about me… Cait dove into my arms, burying her head in my chest.
Jesus Christ.
I knew I should push her away, I knew I should continue to make her hate me, but none of that mattered right now.
All that mattered was getting Bree back.
“Shhh,” I soothed, stroking her hair. I didn’t care if anyone saw. All I could think about was if someone took her from me… I felt bad for Enzo. I was ready to line up with him to destroy the people who’d done this.
Dad suddenly reappeared, flying across the room at Enzo. “I swear to God, when we find her, I am going to do to you, whatever has been done to her…do you understand me?”
“Yes, and with all due respect, I don’t give a fuck. I just want her to be safe. I have turned against five generations of history to be here. I love her. Let me help.”
“What do they want? I’ll give them whatever they want.” He sounded so desperate. So heartbroken… to lose another child… I couldn’t imagine how he felt.
“The guys that have taken her are not happy about the treaty. They want a war.”
