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I stagger back. What the fuck? My simmering anger turns into black rage in front of my eyes. I’m seeing red. After what happened last night, there’s no way this is possible. I need to figure out what’s going on. This isn’t like her. We’ve never even had an argument, let alone a full-blown fight. Where is this coming from?
“I’ll be right there.” Without a word, I storm out of the room and leave the guys behind. Thankfully, the roads are quiet because if a cop stopped me, I’d probably just shoot him and figure it out later. I’m in that kind of mood with my woman’s whereabouts unknown.
My car skids to a stop by the alley, and he’s right. Gina’s car is there. I furrow my forehead and run my hands across my face in frustration. Why the hell would she leave her car if she was going to take off? That makes no sense.
Emilio is standing there, waiting for me. He’s shifting his weight from one foot to the other and clearly unable to look me in the eye. I quickly rip the note out of his hands and look at it. It’s handwritten, and he’s definitely held back on what he told me.
Gio, I’m leaving you. I don’t feel the same way you do, and I want you to leave me alone. Don’t bother coming after me. There’s no need, you’re not the man I want. Gina.
First off, this isn't a female's handwriting. I’ve seen enough of it to know. While the words written on it sting initially, as soon as I clear my head and manage to look a little closer at what’s going on, it all clicks together. Instead of feeling a fresh surge of fury, the gears are turning in my head.
Somebody has taken her. That’s the only explanation, especially in my line of work. Everything about this note screams imposter. Gina and I have known each other for just a short while, but despite our limited time together I can tell there’s no way she’d write this—especially after the intense bond we just shared.
Whoever has taken her has made one fatal mistake—they misjudged Gina and her feelings for me. If I were a lesser man, I would have accepted this without question and moved on.
But no. I’ve made a living reading people, understanding their intentions, and studying whether they’re telling the truth or faking it. Gina’s reactions to me are real…she isn’t feigning them. She’s too innocent for that.
I grab my phone and call Jimmy. “What’s up, boss?”
“We have a problem. Get over here now and bring a crew with you.” As usual, he doesn’t ask any questions. Smart man, because I’m not in any mood to answer.
“Be right there.” And the line goes dead right away.
Tossing the phone aside, I pick up the note again. Yeah, definitely male handwriting. If it’s one of my enemies, hopefully, they’re not pussy enough to simply write a note and disappear. They’d throw it out there hoping that it would make me mad enough to commit a costly mistake. They’re probably assuming I’m too blinded by rage to think straight.
Old me might have done that, but not anymore.
Something about Gina and the short time we’ve spent together has changed me enough to take a breath and not storm away like a maniac. Although, all I can think about is getting to her and making sure she’s not hurt. I want to find her and make that person who’s stupid enough to think he can take the Terror of Tuscany’s girl and get away with it scream like a baby. I crack my knuckles, thinking of all the ways I can torture that punk. Gouge his eyes out with a fork? Electrocute him? Jimmy will be here in a few minutes, and then we’ll get to work.
This asshole isn’t going to see it coming. He won’t know what hit him. Now I just have to find him and get my girl back.
Chapter Fifteen
Gina
After dragging me inside some location, I can feel this man tying me to what’s clearly a chair.
Despite my situation, I try and think clearly. Not easy, but one thought keeps swimming in my mind.
This is definitely only one guy, which seems strange.
Who in the hell would want to kidnap me? Somebody who wants revenge against Gio’s family? But how would they know we’re together? Nobody knows yet.
The sack comes off my head, and I find myself in a dark living room. I blink and allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The problem is, I instantly recognize the decorations—straight out of a frat house, right down to the fluorescent beer sign on the wall. I look at the ceiling and breathe slowly, feeling the pounding in my temple.
And of course, standing there in front of me with a cocky grin is Peter. I move to lift my arms, but I’m bound to the chair. Still, I attempt to loosen the ties to no avail. I stare daggers at him.
“Peter? What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I knew he was obsessed with me, but this? It’s beyond anything I could have imagined.
He looks over at me and smiles, and it’s a very strange smile. Kind of an eerie one like I’ve never seen him make before. Creepy as hell. There’s a maniacal look on his face that reminds me of the killer clowns you read about on the Internet.
I knew he had a strange side when I dated him because I saw glimpses of it, but never could I have suspected he’d kidnap anyone, let alone tie them up in his frat house’s living room. He’s clearly crossed a line of craziness and illegality that he can never return from.
It’s not lost on me that Gio surely dips his toes in a sea of illegal activities as well, but it’s different. There are codes, ways of doing things, an actual sense of professionalism which clearly doesn’t include kidnapping women, especially ones who’ve already rejected you on multiple occasions.
He doesn’t say anything right away. He just tilts his head to the side and regards me with amusement, like I’m a shiny new toy he received on Christmas morning. For some reason, this Peter is way scarier than the violent one at the club, probably because he seems unhinged right now.
“Untie me! What the hell is going on? Are you crazy? Let me go!”
