Page 334 of Valentino

I don’t care.

I did what I had to do in order to protect her.

Her dot stops, I watch it go into a building.

Got you.

I glance at the clock and then the map, I’m only fifteen minutes behind her.

I made good time.

The road goes on and on and I look around at my surroundings. “How does she even know about this place?” I mutter, distracted. “This is in the middle of nowhere.” Did she just get in a cab and say drive?

She must have.

Ring, ring…. Ring, ring….

Giuliano.

“Hey,” I answer.

“We’ve got a lead.”

“You have?”

“Carlo is at an Airbnb in Piacenza.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention….

“We’re sending a SWAT team out now.”

The earth moves on its axis.

No.

Perspiration wets my skin…betrayal…breaks my heart.

“We’ve got this Val,” he replies. “We’re going to get him…. You just find Anna.”

I nod, unable to push a word past the lump in my throat.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yep.” I clench my jaw. “Do you have an address?” I ask.

“No. But we have a photo image of the house. I’ll send it through now.”

My hands tighten around the steering wheel.

“You stay in your apartment,” he tells me. “I need you in a safe location.”

“Sure thing.”

The sky turns red…. As an apoplectic rage begins to fire deep within my soul.

She’s going to him.

I change the gearstick hard and the car speeds up, fury like I’ve never felt before takes me over.