Page 93 of There Is No Love

Alora

Iwatchedashe walked out the door, and I collapsed to the floor in tears. I knew it was what was best, him being here, showing he cared about me would only end badly for him. I took a deep breath and walked over to the bed. I crawled in on the side he had been sleeping on, laid on his pillow, breathing in his scent. I pulled the covers up over me, bundled them in my arms, and cried myself to sleep.

“I don't know, Dad said that he wanted me here to be with you in case things went sideways. He’s supposed to call me today and update me.”

“That is strange, you should check in with him.” Nick just looked at me. “I’m serious Nick, after what Gianni said, we should be in the loop of what's going on.”

“Fine.” He pulled out his phone, and dialed, putting it to his ear. “It's going straight to voicemail.”

My phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket, Arturo’s name on the screen. I sighed and answered it. “Is he having you call me instead of calling me himself now?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Luka, he couldn't just call me himself and tell me he made it?”

“Alora, what the hell are you talking about? Luka called me last night, but the service was bad, and I couldn't make out what he was saying. He was supposed to call me and loop me in on your meeting with Gianni, but I haven't heard from him.”

My heart dropped, “He didn’t fly back home last night?”

“No. Alora, what the hell is going on?”

“Alora?” Nick rushed over, “What’s up?”

I could feel tears behind my eyes. “How long after Luka left did, they leave last night?”

“I don’t know.”

I slammed my fist to the table. “Dammit, Nick how long?”

“Uh Michael left right after him, and then everyone else left about an hour later why?”

“Arturo my dad has him, they took him. I know it. This is all my fault.”

“Fuck!" Arturo's voice boomed through the phone. "Alora, stay there, I am on my way, I’ll get the chopper and leave now.”

“No, I can't wait. Call me when you land.”

“Alora,” Arturo called, but I hung up on him. I jumped up and ran to the stairs, and into my room.

“Alora, wait. Let’s stop and think about this.” Nick ran into the room after me.

“There is no time! They have had him for over ten hours already.”

“Alora, you can't, we can't,”

I spun around and grabbed the collar of his shirt. “Stay here or go with me. But I am going with or without you. It is my fault they took him.”

“Alora this isn't your fault.”

“Nick! He killed Max, he took Elena from me, and if you weren't his nephew, he probably would have taken you from me a long time ago! I am going!” I grit my teeth as tears poured from my eyes. I was so mad I couldn't push them down anymore. “I have to get him. He can't take him. I can't fucking lose him too; okay?!”

“All right. I hear you.”

“Is there anyone we can trust?”

Nick shook his head. “I don’t know, maybe Gino, possibly Franco.”

“Then we’ll go on our own. Go get ready, meet me in fifteen minutes.”

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