Page 80 of Savage Vows

“Police chief has been called. He’ll be here soon.”

“Give me every detail. No matter how small.”

“On it, boss.”

Alessia returns to my side, and my hand tightens briefly around hers, more reflex than intent.

The sound of footsteps echoes down the hallway. Then Nico steps into view first, his suit crisp despite the hour, his expression as grim as I’ve ever seen it. Bella follows close behind, her face tight with worry but still calm—steady, like she always is.

“Matteo,” Nico says, his voice low but firm. He glances toward Alessia and offers her a nod before returning his focus to me. “Any updates?”

“They’re still in surgery,” I say. My answer is as flat and emotionless as I feel.

Nico exhales and drags a hand into his hair. “The Don’s security and Nash are working leads. We’ve pulled every route plan from the past month. If this wasn’t random, we’ll find out who leaked the route.”

My jaw tightens, and I nod. “I want answers.”

Bella moves past me, her attention on Alessia. “Are you okay?” she asks gently.

Alessia hesitates, glancing at me as if looking for permission to speak. “I’m fine,” she says, though her voice wavers slightly.

Bella rests a hand on Alessia’s arm. “I know this isn’t easy. But you’re handling it well.”

For the first time since we arrived, Alessia’s shoulders relax just slightly. Bella has that effect on people. She knows how to say the right thing without trying too hard.

My phone buzzes again.

“Dario,” I say, moving to the far corner of the room. I give the small update that I have. “Where are you?”

“Headquarters.”

Per the plan. Designated survivor. If there’s an attack at the hospital when the whole family is together, consequences could be devastating.

“I’d rather be at the hospital.”

I understand how he feels. “Anything?”

“Maybe. Watching the accounts. If this was a power play, they’ll come for the money next—freeze assets, create chaos, make the businesses panic.”

We couldn’t ask for a better CFO. My grip tightens on the phone. “You think this was random?”

“Not a chance,” he says without hesitation. “Someone knew the convoy’s route, Matteo. That doesn’t happen by accident.”

“Unless he wasn’t the target.”

“So why did the bomb detonate at that exact moment?”

My youngest brother is confirming my thoughts.

My jaw clenches, and I glance back toward the waiting room, where Alessia and Nico are sitting in tense silence. Bella has stepped out of the room. Maybe to make a call. “We’ll find out who and eradicate them.”

“You just keep everyone alive over there,” Dario replies. “Shit, I’ve got suspicious activity. Locking down accounts.”

Yeah. This wasn’t fucking random. Someone deliberately tried to kill my father. Whether they succeed or not is irrelevant because I will hunt them down like the animals they are.

We’ve enjoyed a period of relative peace between families. And as of now, I am the king of vengeance.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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