Chapter 140 Betrayal
Dakota's P.O.V.
I disconnect the call with Xavier and call my mom. I am trying to remain calm. Noah has to be okay. I can't let anything happen to him.
"Hello?"
"Mom, can you and Dad come to the hospital and stay with Ari and Luka? I have to go to the house. Someone broke in and kidnapped Noah." I picture him as the kid he was when we first met. He could barely speak; he didn't like to be touched, and he rocked back and forth when he became anxious.
"We're on our way. Do you want us to call Dana and Gavin?" A single tear slips out. This is my fault. I didn't keep Noah safe.
"I'll call them. I'm not leaving until you get here, so please hurry."
"We will, sweetheart." I disconnect and call Dana.
"Hello?" My tears start flowing harder.
"Dana, I'm so sorry. Noah was kidnapped from the house." I start sobbing when I hear her crying.
"What? How did that happen? Are you at the house?" she asks.
"I'm at the hospital. I'm going to get him back. I promise you. As soon as my parents get here, I'm leaving." I know I didn't really tell her anything, but I don't know anything yet.
"What should we do?" she asks, sounding calmer than I feel.
"Stay at home. I don't want anyone else in harm's way. I will get him, Aunt Dana. I won't let him get hurt." I wipe my eyes and look at Ari.
"I know you will. I don't blame you, honey. Take care of yourself, and please call me as soon as you find him." I close my eyes to stop my tears from falling again. How is she so calm when I am freaking out inside?
"I will." As soon as I hang up, my mom and dad run into the room. I don't even want to know how many speeding laws they broke to get here so fast. Luka is still sleeping, so he has no clue what's going on. I kiss Ari before I stand up.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't let my parents fool you. They will kick your ass if you try to get out of this bed." He strokes my head.
"Just please be careful. I love you." I kiss him again.
"I love you too." I hug my mom and dad before I walk out the door. I have a good idea who's responsible for this because only a few people know about the secret door in the pantry. I never even told Sarah, Tyler, Noah, or Luka. Grandpa Chrissy told me about it when he knew I was going to take over, and he also told me who else knew about it. If I'm right, then I know where Noah is. I know more about everyone than they think I do. When I get outside, two of Galdino's men are waiting for me. I give them the address I want to go to.
"You're not going to the compound?" One of them asks.
"No, I'm going to get my brother. I believe I know who took him. Can I ask you guys something?" They both glance at me from the front seat.
"Sure," the one driving says.
"What would it take for you to betray Galdino? I'm not asking you because I want you to betray him. I'm asking because I've been betrayed, and I'm trying to wrap my head around what would make a person turn their back on the people who trust them." They look at each other, and the one in the passenger seat turns to me.
"Honestly, nothing could make me betray Galdino. He took me in when I was a child and raised me to work security for him. I look at him as a father figure." I nod and look at the driver.
"What about you?" I ask him. He looks at me in the rearview mirror.'
"I've worked for the family for over twenty years. Santino recruited me when I was a teenager, and I was always getting into trouble. I owe my life to this family. I couldn't betray any of them." That's what I thought. Grandpa Sandy and Galdino took people in who they knew would be loyal because they saved them. Grandpa Chrissy did the same with some of his men, but he hired many others. I'm still looking into them, but my grandpa didn't hire the person who did this. If he hurts Noah in any way, his death will be even longer than I'd planned.