Page 54 of Ruthless Rival

“Where should we go?” Alessia asked.

“I know a great little place called Por Qué No,” Alberto replied as he shot me a wink. “How does that sound?”

I realized all eyes were on me. They were following my lead, wanting me to choose what would make me happy. It was strange having so many people care about my happiness and wellbeing. I hadn’t ever been in a loving family before. My father only ever thought about himself, and even Carlos had some selfish tendencies.

“That sounds perfect,” I said with a beaming smile.

Iso’s phone suddenly rang, prompting him to look surprised. He placed his hand over the breast of his suit jacket to quiet it down. “Sorry, sir,” he told Alberto.

Alberto shook his head. “It’s fine. Take it,” he said before turning back to me.

Iso nodded and walked out of the house, lingering on the porch in front of one of the foyer windows. He answered the call and held the phone up to his ear.

My eyes shifted toward the window, watching Iso.

A Look of shock spread across Iso’s face. His grip on his phone tightened as his free hand rested over his mouth for a moment.

“Is he okay?” I asked Alberto.

Alberto looked past me at Iso and frowned. “It’s not a good sign seeing a bodyguard look like that,” he muttered. “Must be a personal matter, though. If I need to know something, he’ll tell me.”

I nodded, but my eyes still lingered on Iso as he stared down at his feet, looking lost. Unease filled me for a moment, but I turned away to give Iso some privacy, hoping everything was okay.

Marco clapped his hands together. “Let’s go pick up the wives and husbands then go.” He chuckled.

I joined in on their laughter. Our family was so extensive and extended at this point. We were a whole unit, and we never left anyone behind. I went to take Alberto’s hand, but I paused when I saw the bandages that looped around the top of his hand and palm. I couldn’t believe he’d gotten shot. I wouldn’t have ever been able to heal if he had died in that warehouse.

Alberto smiled and took my hand gently.

Before we could head toward the door, my phone rang. I checked to see that it was Ignacio, prompting me to flash everyone a sheepish look. I didn’t mean to halt our plans for a moment, but I forgot to update Ignacio on what happened. “Sorry, it’s my cousin,” I said before answering. “Sorry, I meant to call you.”

“Gabriela, Carlos is gone.”

I gripped Alberto’s hand harder out of reflex, making him wince slightly. I quickly let go and took a step back from everyone. “What do you mean Carlos is gone? Y-you mean…h-he’s dead?” I asked as my heart thudded heavily in my chest. His words didn’t make any sense.

“No, not that…I asked everyone on the floor I could find about him, and he has disappeared!” Ignacio replied, sounding just as shocked as I felt.

“But he was in a coma!”

“I know!” Ignacio exclaimed.

I turned to look at the Mancinis, seeing their wide eyes and confused looks. I honestly didn’t expect Carlos to ever wake up. It had been months and months. I knew I was supposed to have hope for his recovery, but I was also a realist. He couldn’t have just disappeared. “No one knows where he is?” I asked. My brother was missing right after my father died. Something felt off and dread crept down the back of my neck like cold sweat. Carlos was always guarded by members of the cartel. What happened to them?

“No, I’ll ask around some more. I’ll call when I find out something,” Ignacio said then he ended the call.

I turned to Alberto with tears in my eyes. “I don’t know where my brother is,” I breathed out, unable to make my voice come out any louder. My throat and chest felt so tight like a snake was constricting me.

“It’s okay.” Alberto placed his hands on my upper arms. “He couldn’t have gotten far.”

“No… I don’t know where anyone is. My brother. My children. Everyone is gone!” I replied, shaking my head as tears streamed down my cheeks. Panic swelled inside of me, doubling the pressure and making my breaths come out quickly and faintly.

Alberto turned to Lorenzo. “Get Gabriela some water,” he said while helping me sit on the floor. “You need to calm down, amore. Think of the baby.”

I placed my hand on my stomach as I drew in a deep breath and then slowly released it. My tears dried on my cheeks as I caught my breath, trying to keep my head from spinning so much. “I don’t want anything to happen to our baby,” I told him. I couldn’t bear it.

Alberto cupped my face with both hands. “Nothing will happen to our baby and I promise I’ll help you find your kids,” he said.

I gazed into his eyes, finding nothing but love and honesty. I thought things would level out now since the cartel was gone and my father was dead. That was the plan.

But it seemed like things were only getting started.