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Looking at the screen, however, I see it’s from an unknown number. That’s a huge red flag. No one has access to this phone number except those in the inner circle.
I debate what to do for a few moments. If I were in New York, I’d track Romeo down before opening the text. As it is, I’m nearly a thousand miles away with no backup. I didn’t think I’d need any for this trip, especially since I only planned to be here for a few days before giving up and flying home.
Another text comes in while I’m making up my mind, this one with an image attachment. I give in and open both texts, my blood pressure spiking when I see what they contain.
I concentrate on not snapping my goddamn phone in half while reading the first text.
Lovely family you have. If you want to see them again, convince Romeo to back off the UFCW.
Unimaginable rage boils up from the depths of my soul when my eyes land on the image attachment. It surges through my veins, pumping adrenaline into every cell and making my muscles scream with the need to pulverize every motherfucker who dared to look at my Cambria, let alone touch her.
My phone shakes as I tighten my grip, my gaze never leaving the screen. Cambria is tied up and slumped against the wall, a piece of Duct tape covering her mouth. Her white-blonde hair is tangled around her face, a mix of dirt and blood woven through the strands. Cambria’s head is lolled to the side, her eyes closed. I see a fucking needle mark on her neck, along with bruises, scrapes, and a few open wounds.
Jesus fucking Christ, I can’t breathe. My heart comes to a stuttering halt, pain searing through my chest the longer I take in the suffering they put my woman through.
Raul is next to her, his arms also tied behind his back with a piece of tape over his mouth, but it seems they were gentler with him. He’s awake, at least, and the rage in his eyes nearly matches mine. I know he doesn’t give a shit about himself, but he’s ready to murder these men for touching Cambria.
The last thirty years of bitterness and apathy toward my father evaporate instantly, and his words from earlier in the week come back to me.
I realized the same thing you’re about to. That Cambria is special and worth fighting for.
“You’re goddamn right,” I growl, finally tearing my eyes from my phone. The longer I stare at it, the less rational my thoughts are. I’ve never had a problem focusing my anger into productivity or reining it in enough to come up with a plan, but right now, all I want to do is find those fuckin’ Colombos and rip their throats out.
In my hazy rage, I think clearly enough to call Romeo. It goes to voicemail, and I immediately call again. Cursing loudly, I get a few looks from strangers on the sidewalk, but I shoot them a glare that sends them running.
I dial Romeo’s office number, hoping desperately that he’s there, and left his cell somewhere else. He picks up on the second ring, and I don’t let him get a word out before I jump in and tell him the issue.
“They have her. And my father. They… they… they fuckin’ got ‘em while I was out, tied them up, and, and, and, fuck! Fuck, Romeo, what do I do? Goddamn Colombos have my woman and my dad. They want us to back off the union or else…”
“Dante,” comes Armando’s voice. Everything in me recoils.
“What the hell—”
“Romeo is, uh, indisposed at the moment.”
“Go. Fucking. Get. Him.”
“No way, man. If I walked in on him and Thalia, he would pluck my eyes out and chop my dick off before throwing me into the Hudson with a cement brick tied to my neck.”
I know he’s right, but I don’t care. Nothing else matters.
“This is life or death,” I grit out.
“Talk to me,” Armando says. “I can help.”
I scoff, but it’s not like I have a choice. “They were digging through my garbage,” I say, more to myself than to Armando.
“Yeah, we went over that a few days ago. I didn’t know they had tracked you down.”
“I didn’t either. I didn’t think it was a real threat. I just… I wasn’t in the right headspace. Fuck, I fucked up, and now they’re in danger, and I just found her, and…”
“Calm down, man,” Armando interjects.
“Fuck off,” I growl.
“I’m serious, Dante. You’re no good worked up like this. Trust me. I know you think I’m some idiot who likes to punch things, but I’ve come a long way since Romeo first found me. It all started with controlling the rage instead of letting it control me. You get what I’m saying?”
“No. I need answers, Armando. I need my hands around their throats. I need to see the life drain from their eyes. I need–”
