Page 38 of Ruthless Secrets
“This isn’t funny, Marco!”
“Clara, calm dow?—”
“I can’t calm down! My baby is missing!”
“Wait, what?” Marco barks down the phone.
“Why the hell would you do this?”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I would never do that!”
“I want to believe you, Marco, but the reality is that I don’t even know you!”
This conversation is only making me more hysterical, and Marco’s silence isn’t helping.
When I look down into Zoe’s crib and spy her favorite pink bunny, it feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest.
“Marco… Please. Don’t do this.”
“I promise you, Clara. I didn’t take Zoe. But I have a pretty good idea who did.”
Chapter Nine
MARCO
It seemsI’m not the only one who has learned of Zoe’s existence tonight.
Zoe. My baby’s name is Zoe.
And my worst nightmare has come true. Alfonzo Rossi has gotten his filthy hands on my daughter. If I’m not careful, I might not ever get the chance to meet her.
“Clara, I need you to stay calm.” I start driving back toward her apartment.
I am anything but calm, but I don’t want to freak Clara out any more than she already is. I need her to know that I have this under control and that, despite my feelings about her dishonesty, I will make sure that she and Zoe are protected.
Clara’s hysterical sobs filter in through the sound system in my car, and I press my foot all the way to the floor.
“I’m going to get her back.” I dodge in and out of traffic, ignoring the blaring horns of cabs as I pass them at lightning speed. “I need you to know that I have this.”
“My sweet baby,” she sobs.
“Promise me you’ll stay right where you are.”
Clara continues to cry, but I need her to assure me she’s not going to do anything stupid.
“Clara?”
“Okay,” she mumbles.
“I’ll be there in two minutes.” I hang up.
I knew Alfonzo was a sick fuck, but the fact that he’s kidnapped a six-month-old baby is a new low even for him.
I’ll make sure he regrets ever laying a finger on my child.
As expected, Clara is a complete wreck when I turn up at her door. Her entire body is violently trembling, and her eyes are red and swollen from crying.
Despite everything that’s happened, I wrap her in my arms and pull her against my chest as she cries. I can’t even begin to imagine how she’s feeling.
