Page 11 of Unraveled Love

Addi tensed next to me. “Antonio?” she asked.

“The man I shot. He’s closely related to them, a nephew of one in command. There will be repercussions for our involvement.” Her face paled, but as he registered her fear, his expression softened in a way I didn’t see coming. “You did well today, and you’re all welcome to stay here. The suite is yours as long as you need it. I’m taking some men, but there are others guarding all exits and the elevator to this floor. You’ll be safe until you figure out your next steps.”

As he spoke, he scanned the room, tipping his chin toward Jaxon and me. He came closer to Addi and crouched down on the other side of the coffee table, below her eye level. He was anything but submissive, and the move was shocking.

“You take care of yourself. Trust these men to keep you safe. And if I can offer a suggestion?”

She nodded, her cheek bobbing against me.

“Self-defense—learn it. All women should, in all forms you’re comfortable with. Do not mistake me, you did nothing wrong and none of this was your fault, but it will help you feel stronger moving forward.” He offered a brief look that might have been a smile and stood, straightening his suit pants.

“Thank you,” Addi whispered.

It was a damn good idea. I’d brought up teaching her how to shoot, but I should have already taught her defensive maneuvers, at least a few ways she could escape if necessary. Based on what Charlie said, I doubted they would have helped much in this situation, but he was right—it’d help Addi feel more in control.

I kissed her temple, holding her close, and turned back to Luca. “Thank you for everything.”

“I’ll keep you posted on my end. You as well?”

“We will,” Jaxon offered before I could. “And if you see Daniel—”

“I’ll alert you immediately.”

Both had a deadly gleam in their dark eyes. I’d have pitied Daniel for what would soon be coming to him if I didn’t want a part in it myself. No, there was no pity for an animal like that.

The deal struck, they shook hands, and Luca left the room on an abrupt spin, no goodbyes other than the handshake. His man was already at the door, and his gaze scanned the room quickly before they departed.

The door barely clicked shut before Addi asked, “Daniel?”

5

Addi

Luca’s absence didn’t settle the tenseness in the room for a single moment. While I’d told them what had happened from what I could remember, I hadn’t missed the ring of fury circling Jaxon’s eyes or the anger in Luca’s. Next to me, Shawn’s body pulsed with it.

Retribution was coming for those who’d hurt me. I wasn’t entirely certain if it made me as evil as the men who’d taken me, but in a sick kind of way, I was looking forward to them receiving what was coming to them. I also wanted to know what was going on. Based on the looks and whispers I’d been privy to over the last couple of hours, they knew a whole lot more than they’d said. Staying in the dark wouldn’t help me.

“Where’s Daniel?” I asked, pushing off Shawn. I placed my hand on his thigh as I readjusted myself to give me leverage, and his closed over mine, clamping both of our hands to his thigh. I’d curled up to him on instinct, needing his warmth and calmness.

Now, I needed a level head.

I didn’t miss the looks the men flashed again. I’d lived with those looks, men silently debating how much truth a woman could handle, but I refused to let that happen this time. Not when it was my life at risk. Not when I’d already lived through enough.

“Tell me,” I stated. “I need to know the truth, and I need to know everything.”

Next to me, Shawn sighed, and it was one of giving in, allowing me to relax back into the couch. Despite my hands quivering with nerves, I brought my wine glass to my mouth and found strength in Shawn’s hand still gripping my other one.

“Daniel was able to escape the tail we had on him. We have no idea where he is, but last we knew, he’d taken off from Raleigh once you were taken and headed south.” Jaxon’s voice was a firm, consistent rumble. Somehow, the lack of emotion in him for the first time brought me comfort. I needed the facts. My own emotions would no doubt be enough for all of us. “We assumed he was headed back to Charleston, so Shawn and I headed there, certain you’d be taken to him. We were wrong,” Jaxon finished, his jaw tightening.

Shawn spoke up. “That’s why it took us so long to get back to you. The teams split, and by the time we realized it, we were too far south.”

His tone carried an apology and regret. Neither was necessary, but it also didn’t lessen the spike in my veins at reliving what had happened in the time I missed.

My wine sloshed in my stomach. “So, Daniel is missing. What happened to MaryAnne?”

He flinched, giving Jaxon a quick glance like he didn’t want to tell me what was next. “We believe she headed to New York to her family.”

Her family. She was related to the Mancussos, which meant she’d gone back to hide with some mob family? Until when?

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