Page 196 of Vicious Games

Whoever did this… they knew our weaknesses.

They knew Anna.

And they knew us.

They did their fucking homework alright.

They must’ve spent months learning how she moved, how she thought. Learning that she was the heart of this family—quiet and soft-spoken, but holding every single one of us together without even realizing it.

And I can see it now—so clearly it makes me sick.

Some asshole walking right through the front door, pretending to be just another guest.

How did he lure you, Anna?

Did he smile at you?

Say all the right words?

Or did he look hurt, and—being you—you instinctively wanted to help?

Did you follow him, thinking you were saving someone, not knowing you were the one being hunted?

“Stop, Lucky.” Enzo’s voice cuts into my thoughts like a blade. “You’re spiraling. You’ll lose it if you keep going there.”

I lean back in my chair, head bowed, and pinch the bridge of my nose.

“This is all my fault,” I whisper.

“It’s not.”

“It is.” My voice breaks. “She came up to me at the party and asked me to dance with her.” I laugh, the sound bitter to my own ears. “I told her I would.Later.Later, Enzo. What if later was already too fucking late?”

Enzo stands, walks over to me and goes to his haunches, pulling me into a hug—his arms tight around my shoulders, his forehead pressed to mine.

“Stop. Thinking. Like that,” he says, steady and fierce. “It’s not too late. It will never be too late. We’re going to find her.”

I shut my eyes. Swallow the burning tears that threaten to fall.

But I won’t cry.

Not until she’s home.

Not until I know who took her.

And not until I’ve made them pay in blood.

“Is everything okay over here?” Frankie’s voice cuts through the tension like a balm—warm and soft, soothing the ragged hole in my chest.

“Everything’s fine,” Enzo lies, forcing a tired smile.

I lift my head and find her standing in the doorway, holding a tray of snacks like she still believes food can fix this. Her eyes are red and puffy, proof she’s been crying most of the night, worried sick for my sister’s safety.

“I brought you both something to eat, just in case—” Her words trail off the second she sees my face, gaunt and probably a little unhinged.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” Enzo says, already rising. “I should check on Alejandro anyway.”

“I saw him praying with your mom and Lourdes in the kitchen,” Frankie says softly.

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