Page 59 of Heated Redemption
“Nick and Alexis are gone, and their phones are crushed on the kitchen floor. I don’t know if they were abducted or if they ran, but they’re off the grid with no phones, Michael.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, gritting my teeth. “Are the police investigating?”
“I’ve maneuvered things so the FBI has jurisdiction. I’m going to do my best to keep it under wraps, but I can’t control the media. If they get wind of it, it might go on the local news.”
“Which means John’s men will be hunting them,” I said, furious. “He has a hit out on Alexis with a huge bounty.”
“I know. I’m going to track them with all the resources I have, Michael. I’ll do my best to find them first. I have some partners I can trust to help me. They don’t know everything, of course, but they’re friendly to the families.”
“Thanks, Leo. Let me tell Bianca. I’ll form a team of men to look for them too. Nick is competent so hopefully he’s still with Alexis.”
“There’s one more thing. There was a note carved into the wooden fence post. It readAlexis for Simon.”
“Jesus,” I rasped. “Fuck those assholes. I’ll dedicate all my resources to finding them.”
“I’ll be in touch with updates.”
The phone went dead and I looked at Bianca, my heart breaking at the news I had to give her. She lowered the gun before striding toward me.
“Michael? What’s wrong?”
I gently gripped her upper arms. “That was Leo. Nick and Alexis are gone from the safehouse.”
“Gone?”
I updated her on the situation, including the note etched into the fence.
Rage flashed in her eyes as her hand tightened on the gun. Lifting it, her eyes narrowed as spoke with purpose.
“I’m done being the dutiful mafia wife,” she said, her tone filled with a quiet rage. “Those bastards are going after my daughter, and I’m going to help you take them down.”
Pride swelled deep in my chest at her grit. “I still have to protect you, stella.”
“Then, protect me, but I won’t stand idly by while those assholes threaten Alexis. How do we get her back?”
Placing my finger under her chin, I gazed deep into her eyes. “Together.”
She nodded firmly and I gripped her free hand. Leading her inside, I vowed to save her daughter and the closest thing I had to a son.
And once they were safe, I was going to murder John Armetta and end this war once and for all.
