Chapter 126 An Old Fella
Dante's POV
I didn't bother checking what it was as I snatched the phone from the slot on the dashboard.
I flung it to my ear and when it didn't automatically connect, I pulled it back down to realize that it wasn't a call.
It was actually a text. My fingers, as sloppy as there were with all the sweat from the endless search, tapped the screen hurriedly.
The screen lit up, and it was exactly what I'd been hoping for, a message from Serena.
My heart slammed against my chest as I tapped it open as carefully as I could.
“Hey, I'm safe now. I’m in one of your underground hideouts with a friend of yours. I'll be back in the morning. Don't worry about me.” It read.
The first thing that hit me was relief, it ran over me so intensely that I leaned in the seat.
She was alive, she wasn't shot or laying in some ditch or worse, in Luca's clutches.
I let out a ragged breath, leaning my head back against the headrest for a second as my eyes stung from the strain of the night.
But then, her words sank in deeper. “A friend of yours.”
She's with a friend of mine. Which friend?
I didn't have the slightest idea who that could be, I barely had casual buddies dropping into my cribs like this.
My mind raced through the short list of people who even knew about those bunkers that could have moved so quickly.
It couldn't just be any of the random men, it had to be someone trusted in my inner circle.
But Nico was with me and for the best I knew, I didn't tell anyone we'd be coming here, except…
“Nico, did you inform anyone we'd be coming here?” I asked to my left.
“No, Don. Not a soul,” he responded immediately.
Then, could it be a trap? Had she been tricked into sending this?
Many thoughts circled my mind as they threatened to wash my relief away. We've found Luca to be very cunning, he could have staged something.
"Nico," I called out again and handed the phone to him. "Read this," I instructed.
He glanced over as his eyes quickly scanned the screen. "She's okay. That's what matters, boss," he replied after pulling back.
"Yeah, but 'a friend'? Who the hell could that be? We need to turn around, check the bunkers—"
Nico shook his head firmly and I paused.
“It's too late for that, Don. Day’s breaking in a couple hours, and we're running on fumes, besides, we are low on gas,” he added, pointing towards the reader stuff.
I took a deep breath, turning away and refusing to look in his eyes.
“We can't possibly hit every underground spot tonight, we've got loads of them and you know that,” he added.
“We can try,” I cut in.
“Yeah, but it's a wild goose chase in the dark. If she messaged you, she's secure. Whoever's with her... if they're one of ours, they'll bring her back safe," he replied.
“And if they aren't?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“We'll give ourselves better ground to hunt them down. And besides, we can't lose on both ends, leaving the base without our presence is unsafe and bad for business,” Nico replied.
I gripped the wheel tightly with my knuckles going white. He was right, damn him.
Pressing on now would leave us exposed, easy pickings for any other plot Luca had out there.
But the not-knowing still troubled me.
"Fine," I growled lowly. "We head back. But first thing tomorrow, if she's not there, I'm tearing through every hideout myself," I added and Nico nodded.
No arguments needed.
I threw the car into gear and peeled out towards the direction of what used to be the safe house.
The drive was short and by the time we turned the corner, I avoided looking at the mess that probably still laid there.
Luca's got a lot of explaining to do in my hands. I drove past, someone would clean that up later.
I maintained a crazy speed all the way back to my penthouse, not bothering to exchange words as my mind barely settled well.
I pulled through the gates and into my yard in about 45 minutes later.
The exhaustion had begun to settle halfway through the ride and as I parked the car, it felt unbearable.
I looked over the mansion and the whole place looked untouched, the guards were at their posts as usual, no signs of a breach.
I killed the engine and stepped out, every muscle screaming for rest.
“I'm grabbing food and crashing," I muttered to Nico. "You do the same. We'll need it,” I added and shut the door.
As I walked off, I heard his car revving up, and in a short while, he was out.
I stepped inside quickly, generally avoiding any greetings and headed straight for the kitchen.
My eyes caught the clock on the wall as I passed, 1.23 am. No need waking anyone up now for this.
I stepped into the kitchen and rummaged through everything in it, searching for whatever was quick.
Maybe a leftover meal, or something. It wasn't long before I found a plate of cold pasta.
It had to do.
I threw it into the warmer and set the timer, leaning on the counter to catch my breath.
As the timer ticked off and I pulled it out, a sound from the door caught my attention.
I turned and found Valentina standing at the front door, staring at me with heavy eyes.
“Valentina,” I whispered.
“Dante,” she replied softly. “How's she?” She asked.
I took a deep breath, instantly realizing who she was talking about.
“She's well,” I replied calmly and she nodded.
“Where's she?” She asked. “I want to see her,” she added.
I hesitated for a second too long and she noticed.
“Where's she, Dante?” She asked again and I nodded slowly.
“She's not back yet,” I replied, spreading the pasta slightly.
“She's not back yet? Or you don't know where she is?” She asked calmly, more worried than anything else.
“I do, it's complicated,” I replied, getting slightly annoyed.
“Dante, I've been worried sick since afternoon, I think I have the right to know where she is,” she muttered.
I took a deep breath, guess I'll give her that right.
“She was taken, but she escaped, texted me that she's in one of my secret hideouts with a friend,” I replied honestly.
“A friend?” She asked, slightly worried, just like I was.
“Yeah, we couldn't search her out tonight. She said she'll be back tomorrow morning, we've just got to wait,” I replied.
She let out a deep breath and I could tell she wasn't fully convinced, but she followed it with a shrug.
“Since when did you start eating pasta?” She asked in a lighter mood.
“Since I couldn't feel my tummy any longer,” I replied and she chuckled.
“Help yourself, I'll go be with the children,” she
Wow, I had completely forgotten about them. I would so love to get them off my back, but Valentina looked to be clinging to them more each day.
I believe she sees them as the children she never had, it would be hard when she has to let go, but she must.
I silently took down the heap of pasta and headed straight to my room. I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep, but the moment I took off my clothes, hit a cold shower, then laid down, sleep came on its own.
I slept soundly but woke up unnaturally as Serena's name rang in my head like an alarm.
I sat up straight, getting up and getting myself ready like I would do any other day.
But this wasn't like other days, I couldn't stop pacing, from when I dressed, till I found myself in the living room, I just kept walking.
I moved from space to space, anxiously waiting for any sign of her return, till a car pulled into the yard.
I checked it and it was one of the wrecked up cars during the fight, but the front door opened and Serena came walking out.
I practically skipped to the door, but as I stepped out, I froze at the sight of he that stepped out next.