Cold realization creeps in.
I turn sharply. “Leone.”
He steps closer immediately. “Boss.”
“Izzy’s gone.”
His eyes narrow.
“She was just here,” I say. “Find her. She’s somewhere around the school. Parking lot, street, alley—everywhere.”
Leone nods once and immediately starts barking orders into his phone.
I step away from the crowd and start searching myself, moving toward the back lot. Every second that passes feels wrong.
I should have kept her beside me. Should have been watching her instead of the teachers. I know better than this.
This is my world. Dark, cold, ruthless. I led her into it.
And then I left her alone.
My phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
I answer immediately. It’s Pavlov. When the call ends and at loss on what to do, I throw a punch at the wall. Pain explodes up my arm. Skin splits across my knuckles.
“Boss!” Leone shouts, but I don’t listen.
I punch the wall again. And again. Each impact sends another sharp jolt through my hand, grounding me in something solid.
I let this happen.
I dragged them into my world and pretended distance would protect them.
My son is in the hands of my enemies.
The woman I love is tied up in a warehouse because of me.
My chest burns with rage so violent it feels like it might rip me open.
But rage alone won’t save them.
Control will.
I lower my hand slowly, breathing through the pain.
“This ends today,” I snarl.
Vladimir Pavlov made a mistake. If he thinks I’m walking into that warehouse to die quietly, he has no idea who he’s dealing with.
I will burn his entire empire to the ground before I let him touch my family.
Leone’s eyes flick to my bleeding hand. “What now?”
“Set a perimeter around the docks,” I tell him. “Wide. I don’t want anyone close enough to spook them.”
He nods immediately. “And you?”
