Page 118 of Downfall

She kept our child a secret.

I have to take a deep breath, to calm myself again because every time I think about it, that for six years she’s been hiding this from me, it makes my blood boil.

My child is out there.

My child that I never even knew existed.

I pull up a new screen and try searching for any and all births that might just fit the parameters. There are thousands. I run a system, searching for Rose’s name. Searching for my name too. I don’t expect anything to come back but it does. Barely two minutes after the scan begins it pings.

I pull up the record. My heart thumping in my chest. The words as plain as day. It’s logged from a city two hours away.

Lara Marie Capulet. Mother Rose Capulet. And father… I gulp seeing nothing but a dash.

I look at the date, mentally calculating it even though I know I don’t need to. I know exactly what it means. That Rose was pregnant before I left. That maybe even the last few times we were together that life was growing inside her. Did she know? Was she aware?

They may not have put my name on the certificate but it makes no difference. This child is mine. I know it. I know she’s my daughter as much as I know it’s oxygen in my lungs.

“Where is she?” Sofia asks.

I glance at her. She’s peering over my shoulder.

“Rose said they stole her.” I murmur sounding more like a ghost than a human as it sinks in. Lara. My daughter’s name is Lara. “I think Ignatio must be keeping her away somewhere.” I add gritting my teeth.

Ignatio has my child. My daughter. I clench my fists, driving my nails into my palms. We know enough about his activities for me to be fearful of what he might do to her. But she’s leverage right now. She must be.

I pick up my phone, call Turner, and start shooting off questions. We’ve been watching everything Ignatio has been doing. We’ve been tracking his money too. Linking most of it back to his illegal businesses.

But then Turner reminds me of the not too inconsiderable sum that goes to a charitable organisation each month. An organisation no one seems to have heard of. An organisation we all thought was a way he laundered his dirty money. I narrow my eyes. Is that where my daughter is?

The only details we have is a registered mailbox. There’s no address beyond that. I get Turner to go there, to all but break into the damn place and find out anything he can.

He calls back nearly an hour later and this time he has an address.

“Is that where she is?” Sofia asks.

I look back from the scrawled note I’ve just made to her face. “Let’s go find out.”

She nods looking across at Ben. “Should one of us stay? In case Rose wakes?”

I’ll admit right now Rose is not my concern. She’s safe. She’s asleep. I know exactly where she is. While out there somewhere my daughter is in danger.

Fuck,mydaughter. Ihavea daughter.

“No.” I say grabbing my gun. I don’t care if I have to shoot every fucker between me and Lara, I’ll do what’s necessary to get my child out. To get her safe.

“I’ll get Holden to guard her door.” Ben says.

I pause for a second. Holden was in the room, was there when I stripped her. I don’t want him or anyone else thinking that’s still an option.

“No one touches her.” I snarl.

Ben nods quickly.

“No one does anything to her. No one goes in her room. No one even speaks to her till I’m back. The door is locked and that’s how it remains.”

Ben meets my gaze and I don’t wait to hear his reply. Sofia is giving me a look that tells me she thinks I’ve seriously fucked up. Like I don’t know it. Like that’s not bloody obvious.

I storm from the room, calling as many of the men as I can. If this is a fight then by god am I going to win it.

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