Page 119 of Flawed

His words steal my breath. Love seems extra cruel at this moment.

He swipes my tears, stating, "I don't know where she is. If I knew where she was, I would tell you."

"You liar," I accuse.

" Stellina—"

"Don't call me stellina," I shriek.

He clenches his jaw. Silence fills the air. Neither of us moves until he repeats, "I'm not lying. I don't know where she is."

I still don't believe him. I try again. "Please. If you ever cared about me—"

"I care about you more than anybody on Earth, and I'm telling you the truth. I don't know where she is, but I promise I'll find her," he vows.

I want to believe him, yet I don't know if I can. I wonder how someone that I feel so strongly about could be part of a family that's so vicious.

He repeats, "I promise you, I will find her."

More tension swirls around us. He glances at my lips then steps back.

I say nothing. I start to leave.

He grabs my wrist. "Stellina."

I spin, ordering, "Don't!" I can't handle an onslaught of Luca and all that we are and all that we can never be when this is going on.

Hurt fills his face. He opens his mouth.

"Don't!" I repeat.

He shuts his mouth and then closes his eyes.

"Let me go, Luca," I say in a softer tone.

He gives me a final sad glance then obeys.

I step outside his penthouse and into the elevator. The moment the doors close, I break down.

I knew the Abruzzos were horrible people. I was right to keep my daughter from them. Yet nothing makes me feel good about this. It only hammers home the reasons Luca should have never been in my life.

If he can side with that family, his soul has no moral compass.

I don't know if he'll make good on his promise to find Pina. Maybe he's lying and already knows where she is. And I'm sure deep in his heart, he does love me. I know I've always loved him. Yet I'll never forgive him for having loyalty to a family who sought harm on my friend.

And I've never been so scared in my life.

21

Luca

A Few Months Later

Every daythat passed without me finding Pina, I felt more desperate. All I saw was Chanel's eyes, begging me to find her. And the hatred that swirled in them for who she thinks I am never stops haunting me.

When I heard what happened, I knew Biagio was behind it. But nothing I did led me to where he was hiding Pina. Months passed before he finally transported her to Jacopo's compound.

The itch in me to kill both of them has never been greater. They've crossed another line. The only person on this planet I feel any true connection to is disgusted by me. If I don't find Pina and return her alive to the Marinos, Chanel will never trust me. There won't be any point in sticking around New York. I still harbor hope I'll one day get a life with her. But there's zero chance if I don't come through.

---