Page 208 of Salvatore

I fixate on the security monitors, my gaze narrowed on his still form while my brother stands over him, gun pointed. Alonso speaks, his mouth moving quickly before two men rise from behind the sofa, one clutching a bloodied hand to his stomach.

They fan out, sweeping the penthouse, searching for me.

It’s Alonso who strides into the office, a smirk of approval spreading his lips on his approach to Lorenzo’s body.

I hold my breath, too afraid to flinch.

His boot slams into the ribs of Salvatore’s uncle, then he fires two gunshots into the dead man’s chest.

My heart is lodged in my throat as I type another text.

Ivy

Liv, please hurry.

Liv

Remy’s on his way. I promise.

Ivy

I have to leave the panic room to save Salvatore.

Liv

DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE. REMY WILL BE THERE SOON.

Please just wait.

But it’s torture sitting here, drowning in helplessness.

Alonso treks across the numerous monitors, down the hall, back into the living area. His men meet him in the kitchen, the blood-torn one hunched against the island counter as they circle Salvatore laid out on the floor.

Then I’m forced to watch as they grab him—hands and feet—and drag him toward the penthouse door.

Everything burns—my throat, my eyes, my chest.

Ivy

My brother is taking him.

I dig my nails into my palms, desperate for Salvatore to wake up. To tell me the right thing to do. But then they’re gone, leaving me to slide to the floor in a mess as I whimper, cry, finally scream.

I rock in place, my arms circling my legs, grief shrieking inside my skull for what feels like an eternity.

He’s gone. As good as dead. They’ll never let him live.

Sobs wrench from me, squeezing my ribs. I’m midway through a gulp of air when the panic room door slides open and Remy moves to stand before me, his grim eyes taking me in.

“Are you hurt?” he asks.

“They took him.” I scramble to my feet, swiping the moisture from my cheeks. “They killed Lorenzo.”

His jaw ticks as he nods. “But you’re okay?”

“Yes. We need to find Salvatore.”

“Do you know where they would’ve taken him? I presume not the same building you were kept.”

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