Chapter 120 Chapter: 120

Chapter 120 Chapter: 120
ALESSANDRO

I punched the bastard tied to the electric chair for probably the hundredth time, my fists slamming against his already bloody and battered face. Wishing he was the person I am desperate to find, that he was the one behind that damn video.

But he wasn't, the asshole was the only fucker missing amongst the men guarding my family.

Danny is his name and right now he looks nothing like the fucker he was when he was dragged here.

The bastard knew I'd kill him, so he ran. Thinking he could hide from me. It torture the bastard for hours now, his screams had gone from violent to hoarse to broken, wheezing hours ago.

“Tell me again,” I said calmly, rolling my sleeves up, with bloody hands. “Where were you when those bastards breached my home, killed our people, and kidnapped my children?”

“I don't…. I was on a break,” he wheezed. “I went… to the back of the house… for a quick smoke before…”

“See, that's the thing. I don't fucking believe you,” I growled, prying another nail free from his fingers with my dagger while he screams.

“Who took my children?” I gritted.

“I… I already told you,” the man sobbed. “I don’t know. I swear to God,”

I grabbed his jaw and forced his face up. I felt nothing as I stared into his broken eyes. I’d trusted him with my family, and he’d betrayed me for nothing. He had no excuse. I treat all my men generously.

“Do not swear to a God who will not save you.”

The room fell quiet except for the crackling of the small fire burning in a metal barrel nearby.

Logan stepped closer, careful, voice low. “Boss. We’ve verified his contacts. I can't find any proof of his involvement.”

I didn’t look away from the man’s eyes. “Keep digging. I'm also going to find out if that's true or not by the time I'm done with him,” I reply. “Get me the water.”

“Yes, boss.” He nodded once before going to the barrel and fetching a bucket of water. He dumped it on Danny's head. I stepped back and switched on the electricity. He shook violently as bolt after bolt crackled, zapping him.

I switched it off, and he instantly slumped into the chair. “Where are my babies? Who took them?”

“I…I don't k—know.” I electrocuted him again and again, each time taking him closer to death, only to bring him back again, and just when I was close to giving up. He spoke up.

“It's…it's the Russian Bratva. I've only ever talked to him over the phone.”

I straightened, rage simmering beneath the iciness. I pulled out my gun and fired right in the forehead; the sound of the gunshot echoed violently in the concrete space.

The body slumped. And despite killing him, my rage didn't dissipate.

“Get rid of him,” I ordered. “Give out my orders, I want the Pekhan of the Russian Bratva, I don't care how they do it, I want that fucker in the next 48 hours, him and anyone he fucking cares about.”

Logan didn't hesitate. “I'll spread the word.” I nodded. He takes a step and then pauses. “Boss, don't worry. We'll get them back.” I just nodded.

“The Russians are going to see this as a declaration of war.”

My face hardened, cold and merciless.

“Good, I want them to know I'm fucking coming for them all.”

Just like I'd ordered, my men went hunting, killing, and maiming all things Russians.
Their warehouses were set on fire, their bars razed to the ground, and their shipments seized.

I was out for blood; the old Pakhan was a man who had honor and principles. He doesn’t hurt women or children, but Alexei had no such compunctions.

Alexei and I have never seen eye to eye, but despite everything, I never thought he'd attack my home and kidnap my children and sister. That too without provocation.

But Alexei made a mistake, I'm going to make sure he regrets ever targeting my family and me. If there was anything I would never forgive, it would be someone attacking the people I love.

I’d spent the night searching, hunting, and calling all my connections, feeling the weight of helplessness crushing me, and I’d lost track of time. It’s time I go back to Andrea.

My heart ached when I thought about going home and telling her, I haven’t found our kids, and it broke something inside me.

And at the same time, I felt like a fucking failure, something I had no experience with, because if there was one thing Alessandro Marchetti doesn’t do, it is failure. Yet, here I was, helpless and broken, questioning if I could ever fix this.

When I walked into the nursery, I knew Andrea hadn’t left the bedroom; she'd permanently moved into the nursery after she came back from the hospital.

It was two days after we received that anonymous call and the video of Alessio and Adamo crying. Andrea doesn't eat or drink and barely talks to anyone.

She sleeps on the floor between our kids' crib, hugging their clothes and sobbing her heart out each night. And my heart weeps with her every single time.

Just like the past few days the room was empty except for her, the curtains were drawn, the light was off, I switched on the lights, and something raw slammed against my ribcage.

My Vixen was sitting on the floor between our children's cribs when I walked in. Her back was to me, her legs folded beneath her, her head leaning against one crib. The strawberry blonde hair I love so much hasn’t been brushed in days.

My family, and our friends, really tried to help her, but Andrea barely talked to them. They knew, just as I do, that nothing could fix her like having our children back in our arms.

They’d left her alone because that’s what she requested of them.

Andrea didn’t look up at me as I neared. She didn’t even show any sign that another human being had just walked into the room. I glance at the untouched tray of food beside me, and that same unfamiliar feeling of helplessness surges inside me.

I knelt beside her, brushing her hair out of the way so I could see her properly. “You didn’t eat, Andrea.”

Silence greeted me. I touch her head, and it feels warm. I move closer, wrapping my hands around her, and for the first time, she notices me. She exhales, but says nothing.

“You need to eat, you can’t live like this.”

“I’m not hungry,” she replied, her voice coming out hoarse and drolly.

“I know, but you need your strength, Andrea.”

“I can't stomach the thought of eating while my children are away from me, probably crying for their mother, for their food, Alessandro,” she said.

“My breasts are swollen from too much milk, and my poor babies are probably starving. I need my children, Alessandro. Please bring me back my babies,” her voice cracks, but she continues, sobbing.

“You're Alessandro fucking Marchetti, you're the shadow, there's nothing you can't do. I'm not asking you to kill or maim anyone, Alessandro,” she pleaded, sobbing, breaking my heart all over again.

“All I'm asking for is my children back in my arms, for our children to be returned to us. I can't live without them.”

“Please stop crying, I swear to you I’m going to bring them back, Andrea.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” she snapped suddenly, lifting her face. Her eyes were red and swollen. “When are you going to find our children, Alessandro?” Her sobs and tears in her voice shattered something inside me.

“I will find them,” I swore silently as I hugged her tight.

“I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“I should have been here,” she whispered, pressing her palms to her eyes. “I should have stayed home with them. I knew something felt wrong. I felt it.”

“You are not responsible.”

“I am their mother!” she yells. She pushes herself away from me. “I let someone else take care of them.” She swayed. I quickly tried to catch her. She raised her hand between us as she righted herself. “I don’t know what to think or do. It’s been three fucking days since the call.”

“And you still haven’t done anything,” she accused. My jaw tightened. I don’t blame her; her words came from a place of fear, anger, and hurt.

I stepped toward her, and she stepped back; that gutted me more than anything she’d said.
And I understand her because I feel the same way. These are my children.

My children are the most important people in my life besides their mother. I’d sworn to love and protect them from the second I knew about them, and it hurts to know I’ve failed them, that I have failed her.

“I am doing everything,” I said, my voice dropping low, filled with so much rage and anger, none directed at her, but at the circumstances and the people who dared to take my children and, in so doing, cause harm to people I love.

“Nothing will happen to them, the people who took them are cowards, they’ll never hurt them for fear that I would kill them,” I growled coldly.

“ And I would end them, I have killed men for less, broken men for looking at me the wrong way, and whoever is behind this will pay with blood.”

“You’re losing control,” she whispered. “Just give them what they want, whatever it is. You’re so blinded by rage that you can’t see clearly anymore.”

My voice sharpened. “Do not mistake my fury for weakness, Andrea.”

“And do not mistake my grief for ignorance,” she spat. “These people are your enemies, Alessandro; they’re probably doing it to get back at you for some past grievance. Our children shouldn’t pay for our sins, Alessandro.”

I have no words because everything she said was right, our children were kidnapped because of me, because of the kind of life they were born into, and the kind of father they have. God, I should have protected them better.

“You’re right, it’s all my fault, I should have protected them better.” I turned, striding towards the door.

“Alessandro!”

I whirl around in time to catch Andrea as she jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms around me and sobbing hysterically. “I’m so sorry, Alessandro. I was wrong, I shouldn’t blame you for this, it’s not your fault,” she babbled, crying, “I’m just so scared, please don’t leave me.”

I hugged her tighter, my heart aching, “I’m not leaving you, Andrea, ever,” I replied. “I’m just going to check in with Logan if there’s any update.”

“Forget whatever I said earlier, I don’t mean any of it,” she whispered, clutching me harder.

“Look at me, Andrea,” I ordered. She did.

“I’m not angry with you, I know what you’re feeling because I feel it too. I’ve replayed the image of them crying so much it haunts me,” I said quietly.

“Whenever I try to shut my eyes, I hear their voices in my head. Nothing is as devastating as this, Andrea.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

“Hush, don’t apologize, you’re right, it’s partly my fault for not protecting our children.”

She shakes her head as she begins to cry again, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m drowning, Alessandro,” she whispered, voice filled with anguish. Using my thumb, I wipe the tears away.

“So am I,” I confessed, just this once I allowed myself that weakness. “But we’ll get through this,” she nodded, then lay her head on my chest. She looked as exhausted as I felt.

I carried her back to our room, and together we showered. Then I forced her to eat because she wouldn’t eat until I ate with her. For every bite I fed her, she fed me too.

Afterward, I’d given her the orange juice with the sedatives and lay beside her until the meds finally kicked in.