Chapter 112 Either I go with you, or I go alone.
Dante's POV
The drop in his voice heightened my senses immediately as my heart skipped a beat.
Not because something had happened, but cause from the way he's sounding, it had everything to do with Serena.
My eyes involuntarily went to Serena and she was already staring at me.
But this time, she wasn't looking confused or scared as before, she looked worried.
And I couldn't tell what was written on my face, but the creases around her brows deepened at the sight of my face.
She stepped forward and I involuntarily took one back.
“Tell me what happened, Nico,” I whispered into the phone so she wouldn't hear.
But she was already edging closer to me.
“What is it, Dante?” She asked and I shook my head, taking a few steps back and gesturing to her to wait.
“The scouts that went out to survey all terrains went as far as to all the safe houses,” he started and paused.
My body instantly felt weak as my mind began to piece together what he possibly meant.
No, it can't be. That would be too far from him, I thought.
Then I remembered how he murdered the elder and my hope dissolved fast.
“Is she dead?” I asked immediately, feeling the thoughts mount up.
There was another pause on the other end before he finally spoke up.
“No, but she was nowhere to be found,” Nico finally admitted.
“Is that my mother?” I heard Serena ask from behind me and sure enough, she was standing right behind me, eavesdropping.
“You shouldn't have done that,” I said firmly to her as I turned around.
“My mother is missing?” She asked again, but with less conviction now.
“Nico, were they able to gather anything that could help us find her location?” I asked as Serena began to pace around.
“No, they only said they found the house empty and pretty banged up, like someone forced his way in and destroyed everything,” he replied.
“And how do we know that this someone is Nico?” I asked.
“Dante, really? You are really trying to be logical now?” Serena asked as she was quickly losing her cool.
I gestured to her to relax and listened for Nico's reply.
“We can't tell, nothing pointed to anyone in particular. From the information I got, it could be anyone,” he replied and I exhaled deeply.
“Come over immediately with some men, we'll be heading there in 30 minutes,” I instructed and hung up after he affirmed.
“Perfect, I'm coming,” Serena said firmly as I ended the call.
“No, you aren't. You weren't even supposed to hear that conversation,” I countered.
“Yeah, but I did. Dante, this is my mother we are talking about,” she exclaimed.
“And she was in my safehouse, under my protection. I'll do everything I can to find her,” I replied firmly.
“You don't look like you would,” she countered.
“Serena, we have to face this squarely. It could have been anyone, we can't go throwing blames on Luca,” I replied.
She paced around for a minute, honestly looking devastated and annoyed.
Then she paused suddenly, staring out the large window.
Serena's POV
My blood ran cold.
I knew something was wrong when he began acting strange, and it didn't help that he switched moods so quickly.
And it didn't help that he kept staring at me the way he did, like all hope was lost.
So when he peeled back to have the conversation, I just knew it had to do with me and hearing it was about my mother just toppled everything.
My mother can't be missing, it hadn't been up to two weeks since I last saw her.
They told me she would be safe, that there was nothing to worry about.
And the more Dante tried to push it aside or play it down as not a big deal, the more it burned in my chest.
And when he refused me following them, I ticked off.
In my panicking, I remembered the text from the unknown number last night as it froze me at the spot.
Could this be what he was referring to last night?
I turned towards Dante slowly and he was already watching me.
“What's happening today?” I asked carefully.
“In what way? What do you mean?” He asked back, raising a brow.
“I mean, is there any event or something going on today that has to do with Luca?” I asked directly and he hummed.
He must be wondering how I got to know, but at this point, I couldn't care less if he knew.
My mother's life was at stake and after just finding her, I wouldn't want to lose her again.
“Luca's coronation is happening later this evening,” he replied carefully, giving me a pointed look.
It was right.
“Who was right?” Dante asked suddenly and I realized I had said that aloud.
“Nobody,” I replied, returning to pacing around.
“Serena, what is it you aren't telling me?” He asked and I shook my head.
“Let's not deviate from the main topic here, my mom is missing and I'm ready to do whatever it would take to find her,” I replied firmly.
As I walked around, I caught sight of his face again. He didn't look convinced, but as a car pulled up in the yard, he nodded.
“I'll go see what I can find,” he said and turned to leave but I held his hand.
“No, I'm coming with you,” I replied.
“Serena, you can't. It's dangerous,” he replied.
“I've gone over 3 years without setting my eyes on my mother and now that I've found her, I'm not ready to let her go. It's either I come with you, or I find my way there alone,” I said firmly and didn't blink for a second.
He studied me carefully, and after a brief moment without a word, he shrugged.
“Whatever happens is on you, let's go,” he said and turned towards the elevator.
I nodded and followed him, stepping out after the awkward elevator ride down.
We met Nico at the entrance and he shot me a look like he was wondering why I was here.
“She's coming along, she knows,” Dante replied and Nico offered me an apologetic look before turning around to leave.
I looked back to see if I'd find Valentina but she wasn't out, so I quickly joined Dante and Nico.
The drive there was ultimately uneventful and quiet.
No one said a word and I was so eager to find her that I couldn't bother saying anything either.
What was there to be said anyway?
We got closer to the hidden junction that led to the safehouse.
I could still remember the road clearly but as we got to the point where the roads met, the driver hit the brakes hard.