"Where are you going?" Stefan asked.
"To look for her! He already has a fucking advantage!" I told him shortly.
"She's with Bianchi," Dante filled Stefan in.
"Marco?"
I nodded at my brother. I needed to get out of the house and find her but if we rushed into this I would be outnumbered and wouldn't be able to help Mia.
"We need to grab the guys from the casino," I said. Stefan followed as we walked towards the door. "What are you doing?" I asked, rounding on him.
"I'm coming with you," he said.
"Like hell you are. You caused this!"
"Me?"
"Stefan! Do as you're fucking told! Stay here!"
He didn't argue, seeing that I was not joking.
"Give me that," I said, and Dante handed the phone back. I tapped out a message quickly.
What do you want?
A few seconds later a reply came through.
Financial backing.
I pushed past Dante and walked out of the house, my friend following behind. Mia would be back home with me no matter the cost.
Chapter Thirty Three
Mia
My muscles ached from being tied to the chair. Marco had been in and out all night and I had barely spoken to him. I didn't have a whole lot to say while I tried to figure out how to escape.
He walked in and snapped a photograph. "About time we see what Lucas thinks of all this," Marco said.
My stomach twisted thinking of Luc. Our fight last night seemed so insignificant now. I should have just listened to him.
"I think he needs a bit of encouragement," Marco commented. From the pocket of his pants, he drew out the knife again and I shrunk back against the chair.
"What are you going to do?" I asked him, watching him carefully.
"Don't worry, sweetheart," Marco said. "I won't cause too much damage. I have customers that would pay a high price for you."
I felt the bile rise in my throat. What had I gotten myself into? Marco advanced on me and trailed a finger along the smooth skin of my cheek. "Such a pretty face."
Marco lifted the knife and I tried to push myself back, but his free hand grabbed the back of my neck. Dragging the tip of the blade across my bottom lip, I held my breath, scared to move and winced when the skin split. Warm blood fell from the wound and down my chin.
"Let's see if that helps him make the decision a little quicker," Marco smiled. When he pulled the phone from his pocket to take another picture, I turned my head away, but Marco grabbed my chin roughly and held me in place before he sent the photo. "See if your boyfriend truly cares that much about you."
"What do you want from him?" I asked.
"I need some financial backing from your other half," Marco explained to me. "Wanting to expand my horizons but Lucas doesn't share the same visions as I do."
"Why do you even need his money?"
