Diego
Vanessa sits in silence during the jet ride home, nervously biting her lip and picking at her nails. The abrupt end to our honeymoon ignites a fury within me, she was finally beginning to be happy in my presence.
Now, we're being thrust back into my world, and while it's familiar territory, I can't help but feel a pang of longing for her world. A world where we cuddle and talk for hours, make love on the beach, and simply slow down to savor each moment of the day together.
After we deal with this stupid shit with her sister, I swear to myself that I'll make time to escape to her world. I want to create countless cherished memories with her and our future children.
It's a promise I'll keep to us both.
Once we land, I take her hand and lead her to the town car to go home. Charlie nods in the rearview mirror when he sees me, "Nice to see you again, Jefe and Mrs. Reyes."
"Likewise, Charlie," I reply.
It's good to be home...somewhat.
Vanessa responds with a soft hum, her gaze fixed on the window. I can't help but wonder if her thoughts are consumed by her troublesome sister, or if she's questioning whether I'll truly grant her the freedom she deserves, or if I'm simply leading her back to a gilded cage.
Yet, I meant every word I said. As long as she has protection and I'm aware of her whereabouts, she is free to go wherever she pleases. Once I find her sister, of course. If there's a chance she was taken, I can't risk the same happening to my wife.
Upon our arrival at the estate, the men I summoned await in the living room, ready to deal with this mess. Among them stand approximately twenty individuals, including Leo, my Capos, and Salvador.
The faster we find Alicia, the better. If she fled, she couldn't have gone too far. If she's been abducted, the Russians are notorious for swift and brutal actions. They won't wait long until they begin torturing her or worse.
"Who fucked up?" My voice thunders through the room, demanding attention. All eyes are on me as I take a seat in the armchair and pull Vanessa onto my lap. Her body instantly relaxes, allowing me to wrap an arm around her waist.
Glancing at the faces of my men, I immediately notice Luis's absence. "And where the fuck is Luis?" I demand, raising an eyebrow.
Leo gestures for Leroy to speak. He swallows hard before speaking, "Jefe, he was supposed to take Alicia to the mall, but they never returned, and we found their phones destroyed in a ditch," he explains nervously.
"Have you found the car he took?"
"No, Jefe," he answers quietly.
Motherfucker.
I slide Vanessa onto the chair and rise to my feet, pacing back and forth as I stroke my chin. Piping red rage courses through my veins at the mere thought of betrayal once again infiltrating my clan.
"It sounds like Ms. Alicia convinced Luis to run away with her and betray me," I seethe, my voice laced with venom.
"No, Jefe. He would never do that to you," Leroy insists, his voice firm and unwavering. "The only reasonable explanation is that both of them were taken by one of our enemies."
"I sure as fuck hope you're right," I snarl through clenched teeth, my body vibrating with restrained fury, my fist balled tightly as I thrust it into the air. "Because if not, the punishment he'll face will make the Russians' methods seem like child's play."
The fear in the room quickly becomes palpable.
Good.
Never again will someone betray me like Antonio did. I don't give a fuck if Alicia's pussy is made of gold, or if he just lost his damn mind. If I find out my assumption is correct, I'll skin his ass alive.
"He's right, there's no way Alicia would leave without me," Vanessa chimes in.
My poor wife. She's oblivious to the truths I've uncovered. I'll hold off on revealing anything until the details are confirmed-but if what I know is true, it will break her heart, and then I'll just have to go find a way to bring Antonio back to life so I can kill him again.
Meanwhile, the individual who has a part in these secrets has vanished without a trace, and I'm determined to find her. No matter what it takes.
Leo clicks his tongue, his expression remaining stoic. "If the Russians are involved, we'll need to act fast. They could both be dead within forty-eight hours."
"We can't rush into attacking the Russians without solid proof. It'll only escalate into a full-blown bloodbath," Sal interjects sternly. He takes a deliberate sip from his glass as he scowls at Leo.
"We don't have time for solid proof, Sal," Leo snaps back, "they could be torturing them as we speak."