Page 121 of Beautiful Desire

“Fabi, can you hear me?”

When he doesn’t answer, panic rises within me. I rip apart his shirt before lifting his t-shirt, finally making it to the bulletproof vest and allowing me to inspect the bullet holes. I feel all over the vest and try to take it off when his voice breaks out in the warehouse, sending a flood of relief through me.

“You could at least buy me dinner first before you try to have your way with me,” he jokes.

“Thank God,” I say as I throw myself on top of him, giving him a makeshift hug. “You were out for so long, I thought we’d really lost you there.”

From the way Marco roared and held his chest, I was really convinced I had killed him.

“Get off me,” he says. “Blabbermouth over there wouldn’t shut the hell up, so I caught up on some shuteye.”

Quickly, I extract myself before extending my arm out, helping him to his feet.

“You good, man?” I ask, needing more confirmation that I didn’t injure another person who’s felt more like family than my own ever did.

“Yeah, although if you had gone an inch to left, you would have shot me for real,” Fabi says, inspecting his chest and removing his shirt.

A smile breaks out across my face as I playfully scold him. “Quit your griping.”

My shoulders sag in relief. He’s okay. Our plan worked.

“I was all for that Nero stronzo being killed, but I won’t lie, I’m a little upset I didn’t get to do it myself. How the hell are we supposed to find your daughter now?” Fabi asks as he removes his t-shirt and the bulletproof vest containing the fake blood packets.

“Fuck!” I yell loudly in frustration. “I wasn’t even thinking. He got under my skin so much when he told me about Massimo, I just couldn’t take it anymore. What are we going to do now?”

Before he can answer me, we hear Marco from somewhere in the distance. “I might be able to help you with that. Or should I say,hemight.”

Turning, we see Marco laid on top of Nero’s second, Frankie. His head is facing away from us as Marco keeps him in place, although he doesn’t appear to be trying very hard to get away.

“I said I would help you if you just get off me,” Frankie mumbles.

“Let him go, brother,” Fabi says.

Marco stands before dragging Frankie up off the ground, keeping a firm hand on him at all times in case he decides to run.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I rush over to them and spit out, “Where is my daughter?”

“She’s being held at Nero’s place. I’ll take you there,” he says, dejection evident in his voice.

“Nero’s place? You mean the hotel he’s been staying in?”

“No, he rented a place last week and had it furnished with a crib for when he—” He stops himself as he realizes what he just said. “I’m sorry, man. I told him not to do it. I said this was a bad idea. The guy was crazy.”

“How far away is this place?”

I don’t want to talk about how he’s sorry. I just want my daughter back.

“Fifteen minutes, tops, depending on who’s driving.”

“That would be me,” Marco answers. “I’ll make sure we’re there in ten.”

Stepping away, I walk back to where Nero’s lifeless body lies on the ground, bleeding out. Bending down, I feel around for his cellphone. Locating it in his suit pocket, I take it out and grab the guns from his holster. Standing, I walk back over to Frankie and hand him the phone.

“Contact whoever you need to and let them know Lily is to be released to me. Make it sound like the order is coming from Nero. Capisce?”

Nodding his head, he quickly takes the cell.

Looking between Fab and Marco, I indicate with my head to move as I call back to them, my body alive with anticipation. “Let’s go. I have a daughter to meet.”

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