Chapter 128 Out again like old times
Serena's POV
Right at the exact time I'd expected, and carrying the same weight I imagined.
Not much, just a few words to steal my heart.
I stared at the screen for longer than necessary with my thumb hovering over the message.
I didn't tap it, scared that if I did, they'd just disappear.
And when I finally did, the words on the scary juggled up together for a second before aligning into focus.
“Glad you're safe. But Luca's not done. Watch your back, your mother's caught between everything now, she's scared as shit and hidden somewhere isolated. I can help you, but you need to move fast. Check Luca's usual hiding spots, the cabin by the lake, or that storage unit downtown. Tell me what you find.”
My stomach twisted as I remembered my mom.
With everything that had happened in the past few hours, it was easy to forget that my mom's capture sparked everything.
I hadn't for a second thought of where she could be, or what was happening to her. But in my own right, I barely had the space to do so.
And now he's expecting me to go on what? A search hunt for her?
I reread the message again but noticed something else now. The mystery guy's tone here was different here.
It was usually all business, direct and straight to the point, leaving no gaps for emotions.
But this? It actually carried an emotional weight, like he actually cared about her, or probably was scared.
It wasn't just facts this time, there was a particular hint of worry that made my chest ache and ask the same question I've been asking.
Who was this person? And how did it know so much?
I typed back quickly with my fingers shaking. “Where exactly is she? Is she hurt? Please, tell me more, I need to help her.”
Then its reply came almost instantly.
“I don't believe she's not hurt yet, Luca won't risk such. But his men are crazy druggies, no one knows what they could try.”
“If you know where she is, tell me.” I typed and sent.
It replied almost immediately again. “I won't lie to you, Serena. If I did, if I had the slightest idea where she was, I would have told you, I need you as much as you need me now.”
I read it and my jaw dropped.
This just confirmed it, there was concern laced over his words again, like he was picturing her scared figure as he responded.
It felt so real, and came with much urgency. I bit my lip, rising to my feet and pacing around the room.
Someone knocked on my door and I startled as I turned towards the door.
“Come in,” I responded and the door slid open to reveal a maid with a tray of food.
“I brought your food, Mrs. Moretti,” she said with a bow and I nodded, gesturing to where she could place it on the table.
She nodded and dropped it carefully before heading out again and shutting the door behind her.
With her gone, my thoughts circled back again. A cabin? That made sense, but going alone? Dante would flip.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my hand, a call this time and the screen lit up with the unknown number.
I jumped and my phone slipped from my grip, falling to the floor.
Why was he calling me?
My heart pounded loud enough for me to hear as I snatched it up, but the call had already ended.
I unlocked it again, and a new message popped up from the unknown number.
“Don't rely on Dante for this one. He's got his own wars coming. Handle it yourself if you want her safe. I'll always be in touch.”
I sank onto the bed, staring at the words.
Do it myself?
The idea scared the shit out of me, but if Mom was really out there, waiting, then I couldn't just sit.
Dante's POV
"Listen, Marcus," I said, keeping my voice low as we stood at the exact spot we'd been at for about ten minutes now.
Nico shifted closer with his arms crossed over his chest, watching us both.
“Luca’s men, one of those chasing Serena, we caught him last night and he spilled about a mole,” I started.
“A mole?” Marcus repeated.
“Yeah, someone inside, feeding Luca with details on everything we do, including the safe house and the timing. It's how they hit us so clean,” I added.
Marcus's eyes narrowed at me, but he shook his head slowly, like he was placing the words together properly.
"A mole? Come on, Don. We've built this thing brick by brick. The crew's family now, been loyal through and through. Remember the old days? No cracks then, none now,” he said confidently.
I leaned against the car, rubbing the back of my neck.
The heat from the sun didn't aid my situation one bit, but we couldn't shift to avoid being heard.
"I get it, Marcus.bLoyalty's everything here, but the guy was shaking, begging. Said Luca bragged about inside info and it kinda lines up, the attack was way too precise,” I explained.
He crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the ground for a second.
"Maybe he was lying to save his skin. Luca's good at smoke screens and so should his men be,” he continued.
Nico cleared his throat. "Could be, but we can't ignore it. Suggest we poke around a bit. Check the warehouses, trace some logs and see if anything smells off,” he cut in.
I nodded, that made sense.
Marcus didn't look convinced though, he'd always been the stubborn one.
But as my go-to guy for the “tough” jobs, he saw angles I missed at times.
"Alright. Let's move, prefer we start with the east warehouse, work our way in,” he agreed.
First time they'd agreed on something with no back and forths.
We piled into my car with Nico shotgun, and Marcus at the back.
The drive was quiet at first as we rolled past the busy city streets, blazing checkpoints without an afterthought.
We reached a brief stop and as we waited that little while, I was tempted to stare out the window.
I did and nearly cracked open.