That didn’t fucking help much. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest spanned over six million acres. Even if that was where they kept her, we weren’t familiar enough with the area to just start randomly looking around.
That would be a waste of resources.
“We can’t just blindly look for her there.”
“But it is four hours away. You will want to be closer when we find the location,” Massimo said. “I’ll have the helicopter pull up and bring you, Valentino, and a handful of men with you. I’ll direct other men to meet you there. The helicopter will cutyour travel time by half, but you would still be on your own until backup arrives.”
It wasn’t a good plan, but it wasn’t bad either. I turned to Matteo. “We need cars to get around once we’re there.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Romeo said. “And I’m coming with you.”
I nodded.
“Matteo and I will be here to work with the tech team. See if we can identify all the safe houses built around.”
“Okay. Send us the list as soon as you have it,” I said, already standing up. We were taking a risk by narrowing our search down to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It could all be for nothing.
What if they were holding her there?
What if we were wrong?
What would I do if I lost her?
I didn’t want to fucking think about that. We made a move to head out when Giulia and Luna stepped up to me. Their eyes were red and swollen. “Hey. Don’t look like that. We’re going to bring her home.” I looked over at Valentino, who nodded.
We had to bring her home. There was no other alternative.
I couldn’t fucking lose her.
Giulia nodded. “I know you will.”
I cupped her cheek affectionately and turned to Luna.
“Be careful,” she whispered softly.
I nodded.
Then we were off to find Isa. And the next time I stepped foot in Las Vegas, it would be with Isa. I fucking vowed it.
27
ISA
Novaand I lay side by side on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
I wasn’t sleeping, and I knew she wasn’t either, although she had been quiet, and any attempt I made to try to talk to her had been useless.
For someone who was forced to share her room with me, she knew how to avoid talking.
And I learned something about her.
She was stuck.
She might have been able to roam about the house, but she wasn’t free, and she didn’t like to go outside her room. And during the few times we did talk, I could tell she didn’t know much about the world.
She didn’t know much about what she wanted.
I reached my hand over for her. “Nova?”