Page 69 of Forsaken Promises

Rage grows within me and I can’t stamp it down. So I let it consume me, burning me from the inside out. I’ll tear this city apart brick by brick if I have to. I’ll fucking burn it to the ground to find her.

Because she’s everything to me. And once I find her, I will confess my soul to her, tell her how much I love her.

One of my father’s men bursts into my room, a tablet clutched in his hand and a look of grim determination on his face.

“We have footage from the cameras outside the house,” he says. “You need to see this, sir.”

I snatch the tablet from his grasp, my heart pounding as I press play on the video. And there, in grainy black and white, is a sight that makes me almost drop the device.

Sofia, storming out of the house and being stopped by Luca. There’s a brief struggle as Luca grabs her. Sofia’s face is contorted in fear and anger as she tries to fight him off. And then, the sickening sight of her body going limp in his arms, her head lolling back as he injects something into her neck.

White-hot rage surges violently through me. How dare he lay a hand on her? My hands shake with anger as I slam the tablet down. How dare he take her away from me?

I’ll fucking kill him for this. I will rip him apart with my goddamn bare hands, make him suffer in ways he can’t even imagine. And when he’s begging for mercy, I’ll grant it to him.

Slowly. Painfully.

This will be a murder I’ll happily commit.

I turn to the man. “Gather the troops,” I bark. “We’re going after her, and we’re not coming back without her.”

He nods and holds a phone up to his mouth as he barks orders into it. And in that moment, I feel a sense of power wash over me, a certainty that I was born for this, that I was always meant to lead and command and fight for what’s mine.

I’ve spent so long running from my responsibilities, desperately wishing I could be normal and not the heir to a crime syndicate family. But now, with Sofia’s life on the line, I know I can’t hide anymore. I can’t pretend I’m not exactly where I’m meant to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do.

And I’m meant to get my wife back.

Because I love Sofia. I love her with everything I have. I loved her when I saw her for the first time at that funeral. I loved her when I broke her heart and walked away from the best thing that ever happened to me.

And I love her now, love her with every fiber of my being. I love her in a way that’s raw and real and all-consuming, a way that makes everything else fade into significance. She is my everything. And she ismine.

And I always get back what’s mine.

I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back to me, to keep her safe and make sure that nothing orno onehurts her ever again. Even if it means embracing my role as the Sicura heir.

I’ll do it for her. I’ll walk backward into hell for her.

“Sir, the men are ready.”

I look up, my face cold and impassive. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

As we approachLuca’s estate, I feel a sense of grim determination settle over me. This is it, the moment of truth. I don’t give a fuck that this showcases my ability to step up and take my place as the heir to the Sicura empire. I don’t care.

All I need is Sofia.

I turn to the men gathered around me. “Listen up,” I say, my voice ringing out with a strength and authority that surprises even me. “Our objective is simple. Find Sofia, and bring her back safely. Anyone who tries to stop us, anyone who gets in our way—you shoot them. Understood?”

“What about Luca Strambo, sir?” someone calls out.

“You leave him for me,” I snarl. “Do whatever you need to incapacitate him, but the death blow ismine. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir!”

We move forward as one, silent and swift as shadows. I take the lead, my gun drawn and my senses on high alert. The estate is impressive, all sleek lines and modern architecture. It’s clear that Luca has done well for himself as our Family rival.

Luca always had ambition and drive, and it’s obvious that’s propelled him to new heights of success and power.

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