Page 70 of Forsaken Promises

But at what cost? Luca could have made something of himself. Instead, he’s fixated on destroying me, destroying my Family. And that fixation has grown twisted and extreme over the years.

Christ, the man needs therapy.

As we breach the perimeter and storm the main building, I feel a sense of unease in my gut. Something’s not right here. Something’s off in a way that I can’t quite put my finger on.

And then we barrel around the corner to come face to face with Luca’s men.

Ah, I see. This was a trap.

But I’m not afraid. I’m not backing down, not when Sofia’s life hangs in the balance. Luca hates me so much that I have no doubt he would kill her just to spite me.

I lead the charge, my gun barking and my fists flying as we battle with Luca’s men. I shout orders and rally my men, directing them with a clarity and a precision that feels as natural as breathing.

“Flank left!” I yell. “Fire,now!”

They obey without hesitation, laying down a hail of bullets that sends the enemy scattering like rats. I press forward, my eyes scanning every nook and cranny for any sign of Sofia.

Where are you? Where are you, my love?

I’ll tear this whole place down to find her. There will be nothing left when I’m done.

Suddenly, I hear a scream, high and piercing and filled with terror. It’s coming from a room just down the hall.

My blood turns to ice and my heart hammers against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. My breath comes in spurts.

I know that scream. I know it like I know my own breath.

It’s Sofia.

I don’t hesitate, plunging forward before I even realize what I’m doing, my men following behind me.

I don’t even care that we don’t have a plan. All that matters is her. All that matters is getting to her and saving her. To have her in my arms again…

Luca is a dead man. And I'm going to be the one to send him straight to hell, to make him suffer in ways he can't even imagine.

I reach the door in a matter of seconds but what feels like an eternity. Please, let nothing have happened to her. My heart is in my throat and my gun drawn. I don’t even bother with subtlety or stealth. I don’t even try to ease the door open or peek inside to assess the situation.

Fuck being cautious. All that matters is action.

I kick the door down with all the strength and fury I possess, the wood splintering and cracking beneath my boot.

And the sight that greets me on the other side… it’s like something out of my worst nightmares.

My vision turns red. All I can feel is a rage that consumes me from the inside out until there’s nothing left but the need to destroy, to put a bullet right between his eyes and watch the life drain from him.

Luca is a dead man. And I’m going to be the one to send him straight to hell.

34

SOFIA

I’ve searched every inch of this godforsaken room for some way out, but there’s nothing. No windows, no vents, no loose floorboards or hidden passages. Just four solid walls and a door that might as well be made of steel for all it does me.

Fuck.

Fear and frustration bubble up inside me, threatening to spill over into panic, but I push it down. I force myself to breathe through the tightness in my chest and the pounding of my heart.

I can’t let Luca see my weakness, can’t give him the satisfaction of knowing just how scared and helpless I feel. I may be trapped, but I’m not defeated. Not by a long shot.

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