“It’s because of her father.” Irina was hysterical.
“What? Talk to me now!”
Irina gripped my arms. “She believes her father is dead. She was in tears. Hysterical. I could barely understand her.”
Jesus Christ.
“What?” I did everything I could to calm my voice. Irina was close to being hysterical herself. “Tell me what you know.”
“She said her brother had her father killed. To take control of their empire.”
“Who told her that?”
“I don’t know. She was upset. I just talked to Francesco a few days ago. I cannot believe he’s dead.”
“Where is she, Irina? She’s in danger and I’m likely the only man who can protect her.”
“She went on stage and couldn’t handle the performance. She ran off before I could catch her.”
I glanced at Donatello. “Find Ms. Novikov a comfortable place and stay with her. I’m not finished with you yet, Irina. If you’re not telling me the truth, you will suffer my wrath.”
She continued to grip my arm. “I would never hurt her, Jaxon. Never.”
“Yeah? And why is that?”
The way her expression changed was chilling. “Because she’s my daughter.”
I took a step away, shaking my head. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true. I gave birth to her. I was just supposed to be the surrogate, but things didn’t work out that way. Teresa Scavullo’s eggs weren’t viable. I was paid well for my body and for my silence.”
Jesus. “Anastasia doesn’t know.”
“No, and she can’t. I only wanted to protect her. I would do anything to do so. You need to save her, Jaxon. Please.”
Maybe what she’d told me was true. Maybe it was a lie. At this point, the only thing that mattered was finding Anastasia. “Where’s her dressing room?”
She pointed to a room only a few feet away. I bypassed her, storming into the location.
My angel’s phone was on the dressing table and there was no sign of a struggle. If she’d been taken from the building, the chances of seeing her again were slim. I grabbed a leotard tossed over the back of a chair, bending down and sliding it under Zorro’s nose.
“I need you, buddy. Find her. Find my Anna.”
His ears perked up and after a single woof, he took off running.
I didn’t give a shit about the agony in my legs or the pain in my head. I would find her. And I would protect her.
Zorro didn’t waste any time, rushing down the corridor. With no one to hinder our movement, it was easy to follow.
When he reached an exit door, he sat back on his haunches, barking. As soon as I flanked his side, I threw open the door.
The loading dock flanked an access road. As soon as I was on the concrete plank, the sound of tires squealing in the distance caught my attention.
Things again seemed to move in slow motion as I turned my head.
Just as Anastasia screamed while being shoved inside a speeding sedan. Exactly like the one from before. While there was nothing more I wanted to do than to take aim and fire, I couldn’t risk hurting her.
This time, I didn’t need to give Zorro a single command. He took off charging the vehicle.
