Page 130 of The King of Hearts

No one has tried to leave or enter the island since Savina was taken, indicating they have to still be here. Between myself and Alexander, we have a couple handful of men combing every inch, but that shit takes time. Time Savina may not have.

I take my phone from my pocket and look at the picture that’s still pulled up on my screen. I received it from an encrypted number an hour ago. Renewed anger rockets through my bones when I look at the still image.

Savina is tied to a bed with her legs spread out, her arms over her head, and attached to the railing at the head of the bed. She’sfucking naked. Her eyes are puffy and closed, and although she appears to be asleep, it’s not hard to miss the stress she’s feeling, even in an unconscious state, from the frown on her brow. Her luscious brown hair is tangled and spread out on the pillow beneath her head, and the flash from the camera highlights the paleness of her skin. The area around her mouth is red and there are dried tear tracks, along with a white substance, staining her cheeks. My veins throb from the pure lava flowing through them because I know what her appearance is from.

There’s a hole in the wall over by the door to Alexander’s office from my fist when I first got the image.

As I stare at the picture, my phone vibrates and a notification appears for a new message at the same time I hear a chime go off from someone else’s. I click the notification.

Emo: I’m at the door. Let me in.

“What?” I half listen as Bishop barks into the phone.

Ignoring the others, I stalk out of the office to the front door and look at the small screen beside it. A familiar face I haven’t seen in years stares back at me. Beside him is another man, but I can’t see his face because it’s angled away from the camera.

I press in the code to deactivate the alarm. As I push the last number, a voice barks behind me, “How in the fuck do you know our alarm code?”

I disregard the question as I yank open the front door. I called Emo earlier and updated him on the situation with Savina, hoping by sheer luck he’d be able to get me the answers the private investigator hasn’t been able to. I’ve spoken with him before about the letters and photos I’ve been receiving, but up to that point, I haven’t asked him to look into it yet.

The man beside Emo turns when the door swings open, and I get a good look at him. Heat creeps up the back of my scalp,and a red haze slides across my vision when I recognize him immediately. I haven’t seen him in years, and my memories are foggy, but I’d know his face anywhere from the plethora of photos in my mother’s room. He looks the same, but also different. One thing is for sure though. This isn’t the same man from the video Emo sent me a few weeks ago, but he looks similar. He’s aged and has lost a lot of weight since my childhood, and although his face is the same, it’s slimmer and looks paler with dark circles around his eyes. The man looks like he’s on the verge of passing out.

I give zero fucks how fucking frail he appears. I give even less that he’s my missing father.

I glare at the man who sired me, all the while he looks at me with a sort of awe in his expression.

I hate this man with every fiber of my being, and I hope he sees that on my face.

I switch my gaze to Emo. “Looks like you found my father,” I comment unnecessarily.

“He was a bitch to find,” Emo replies in a deadened tone. “Let’s take this inside. There’s shit you need to know, and it pertains to your girl.”

I want to demand he tell me now, but I spin on my heel instead, knowing they’ll follow. As soon as I’m in Alexander’s office, I turn and address Emo. I don’t even look at my father as he comes into the room. He moves slowly, taking measured steps, as if he’s barely staying on his feet. But his back is straight, and I know it’s taking a lot of effort to stay that way.

“What do you know?” I ask my longtime friend.

He glances at my father. “I found him?—”

I cut him off. “I don’t give a fuck where you found him. My only concern right now is locating my wife.”

“I’ll get to that part in a moment.”

“Emo,” I growl.

“In a fucking minute,” Emo barks. His expression remains unfazed, even if his words are harsh. “This part is every bit as important as to where she is and who took her and why.”

I clench my jaw, my blunt nails digging into my fist. “Then get to it.”

“I can only tell you what I saw when I arrived. Antonio will have to tell you the rest.” I jerk my chin up, indicating for him to continue. “I found Antonio a couple of towns over from the mainland in Beckenridge. He was tied to a bed in the basement of a dilapidated house, barely conscious. There was an IV set up. From the state he was in, I assume that’s how he’s been getting vital nutrients for a while. Do you remember the video I sent you a few weeks ago?” I nod. “I sent the video out to a guy I know. He’s a video analyst. I don’t know the details, and I’m sure you don’t care, but he was able to get me the name of the man.”

He gestures to my father with a hand. “I’m sure you’ve noticed, this man is not the same one in the video, but he looks damn close.”

He does look eerily similar to my father. Almost as if….

“He’s my brother, Theo.”

I jerk my head in his direction. Antonio looks like he’s about to fall over. While I don’t particularly care if he drops dead in front of us, I want answers before it happens.

I walk over and grab a chair, then shove it in his direction. “Sit the fuck down before you fall,” I grit out.

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