Page 41 of Ruthless Secrets
I thought tonight was already a shit show when I caught Clara listening in on my conversation with Andre. But then to find out I have a kid, and that kid has now been taken by Alfonzo fucking Rossi…
There’s no amount of bourbon that is going to make me forget this night.
It’s a miracle I’m not stopped by the police on my drive out to my brother’s estate. Not that I would have bothered stopping for anything. Each second that passes is another second where my daughter’s life is in Alfonzo’s hands.
All the lights are on in my brother’s house as I speed down the gravel drive. There are four SUVs parked outside along with Andre’s car. He must have called for even more backup, which I’m grateful for.
Alfonzo’s already proven tonight that we’d be stupid to underestimate him, so I want to make sure we’re prepared for any situation.
My heart is racing in my chest as I climb out of the car.Watching the minutes pass by on my dash on the drive here had my adrenaline turning into fear.
I can’t be too late.
I’ve already lost both of my parents and Melanie. I can’t lose Zoe too. Surely, the world isn’t that cruel?
I race up the front steps and almost trip over the crying bundle of blankets that is lying outside the front door.
“What the fuck?” I bend down and pull back the blankets to find a pair of brown eyes, identical to my own, staring up at me. “Zoe.”
I collapse to my knees and scoop her up into my arms. The relief I feel holding her against my chest is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
She’s alive.
“Hi, Zoe.”
She yawns, and I can’t help but laugh.
“You had us all worried for a second, but I want you to know that I’ve got you.”
As I look into Zoe’s big, brown eyes, it hits me that I’m holding my daughter for the very first time.
The rush of emotion is overwhelming, and I know that I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
“Let’s call your mama, huh?” I reach for my phone.
I freeze as I notice a message on my lock screen from an unknown number.
Nothingand no one is out of my reach.
My teeth grind together.
I don’t know how the hell Alfonzo managed to get my number, but that’s the least of my worries.
Right now, I need to call Clara.
Zoe blinks up at me as the phone rings, and I can’t help but smile.
She’s so beautiful, and I can’t wait to have a chance to get to know her.
“Have you found her?” Clara asks.
“I’ve got her right here. She’s absolutely fine.”
“Oh, thank god.” Clara starts crying once again on the other end of the phone.
I know I should put Zoe in the car and take her right back to Clara, but I don’t. Alfonzo likely has his guys watching me right now, and I’m not about to give them another opportunity to send my family a message.
Clara’s sobs slow a bit. “Where is my baby?”
