Luca's pov
Cadain's eyes grew twice their size when he opened the door of his condo to my face. "Salvatore, what are you-"
I pushed his half-dressed ass aside and entered the place. "Where is she?"
Cadain cut to my front. "Where is who?"
A muscle ticked in my jaw. "You know who I'm talking about."
His forehead creased then it dawned on him. "Cara?"
"Yes, Cara. The very one you tried to abduct."
A malicious chuckle shook through his bare chest. "Hardly that if she willingly got into the car with me, which she did. You're the one who abducted her."
My stare darkened. "Where is she?"
He stepped closer. "I should be asking you that. You probably have her locked up somewhere."
I gave him a long and hard glower and without looking away, I ordered. "Start the search."
My men bounced in and began dispersing into every corner of the place.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Cadain snarled, glaring at the soldiers searching about his place. His gaze snapped back to me. "What the fuck Salvatore?!"
I ignored him, moving over to the living room and sinking on a plush cushion.
He followed me. "Tell your men to back off!"
I threw him a scathing look. "They will after they confirm that Cara isn't hiding here."
He was staring at me weird, his head cocking with disbelief. "You lost her." He deadpanned.
I studied him for another minute. The Irish fucker genuinely seemed to know nothing of Cara's whereabouts. It made me feel a warring mix of feelings; satisfaction that she hadn't run to him and trepidation that she was somewhere less safe.
"She's not a child that can be lost."
The way she'd so expertly planned her departure wasn't a doing of someone who happened to get "lost". The woman had drugged me with my own sleeping pills, manipulated my security cameras and had managed to remain invisible to the soldiers that kept watch that night. She might as well be a spy.
I was impressed and proud of her in spite of my anxiety concerning her wellbeing and my annoyance with Cadain's face.
The cunt was giving me a smug look I badly wanted to wipe off with my knuckles.
"Ah, I see. She left you."
"I'd be leaving my fist on your jaw if you don't shut the fuck up."
"I'm in my house, I'll speak whenever I want to."
"Fair enough. I'd just have to drag you out then punch the shit out of you then."
Cadain glowered at me, his eyes filled with malice. "You're lucky I was generous enough not to tell my brother about the two times you dared to lay your hands on me."
That caused me to laugh, really laugh. Torso bent over, shaking and all. I stared up at him, the incredulous spark morphing into something dangerous. "Dared?" I got up.
Cadain tried his hardest not to flinch or step back as I got right in his face. "You think I'd have to need balls to put a dipshit like you in check?"
He swallowed tightly. "You assaulted me and I'm the brother of the Irish mob boss."
"And I'm the fucking don of the Cosa Nostra but a twat like you thought he could barge into my domain, make demands, try to fuck with someone under my care yet get away with it."
I stared down at him, watching his bravado slowly break as he began to squirm subtly.
The fucking weasel.
It disgusted him that a man like him ever thought he could be with a woman like Cara. My woman was too strong, too fierce for his mediocre ass. He had nothing but his puppy love to offer an independent woman like her.
A soldier reappeared in the living space. "No sign of her boss." He informed.
I gave Cadain one last glower and stepped away. "I will be granting you no more mercy. Come near Cara again and you might just break your family's long streak of peace."
The rest of my men reappeared and I proceeded to leave, stopping when one of them sidled up to whisper something in my ear. I turned back to Cadain. "You might want to fumigate your place, lot of rats and bugs." I said, staring pointedly at a lamp stand then at an overhead light.
It took Cadain a couple of seconds before he got the memo and his face paled.
I didn't spare him another glance and I walked out of there, feeling zero pity for him. He only had himself to blame if his own house got bugged by whoever it was that wanted to use him to attack the Irish syndicate.
"We've found her boss." Sergio, who was waiting by my car, announced the second I walked out of Cadain's condo building.
My heart tripped and I immediately forgot about my anger.
"Where?" I asked, my chest wound up.
"At her coworker's place-"
"Diana?"
"Yes boss."
I'd run a background check on every staff member at Rico's, ensuring that no one had any connection to the Bratva or the Polish and won't be a danger to the place or Cara in any way. It was how I knew that Diana was safe company but it was also how I knew her neighborhood was a nightmare for women.
Fear gripped around my heart. "West Garfield Park."
The area was not known for peace or safety. It was quite the opposite. I hate to admit but Cadain's bugged condo was a far better option.
"Do you want us to go get her?"
"No." My relationship with her was already hanging by a thread. It was best if I didn't force her to do anything. The woman didn't take being controlled too well. Forcing her out of Diana's house would be literal gasoline to the furnace.
But anything could easily happen to her if she remained there.
Fuck!
As if sensing my worry, Sergio said, "Nino and the others are already there to keep an eye on her. From last hour's report, the Signorina is safe and well."
"Send more men. In fact, send Santino to scout the area." The hitman was the best when it came to the task, nothing ever skipped his notice.
"Alright, boss." Sergio bowed before marching out.
I checked my schedule for the day, two more activities left before I could retire for the day and go get Cara back. This time, I planned on making her listen. I got into the car and instructed the driver to get moving.
***
Dominic and I stood hands in pockets on the port, waiting in silence for my latest drug shipment to dock, the sea waves clashing gently into the quiet.
The shipment was originally supposed to be Alesky's but since I defeated the Polish fucker, I'd taken over their cargo, territory and route control. All of West coast now paid dues to me to distribute their cargos to the final consumers.
I'd never forget the expression the dipshit had when I informed him of my takeover. It was priceless. I was glad I kept him alive so far to witness his complete downfall. Maybe one of these days, I'd finally get send him to where he rightfully belongs; hell.
I'd let him and that bastard Rocco breathe oxygen for too long.
"I heard you got dumped." Dominic suddenly broke the much enjoyed silence.
"Not in the mood, Dom." I drawled.
He went ahead and ignored the clear warning in my voice. "Maybe it's for the best."
I pinned him with a death glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He returned my gaze. "She was never right for you. I mean, she got you distracted from all that matters– the war with the Bratva."
"I've never forgotten that for a second."
"You've barely done anything concerning them since our last attack."
"That's because the pakhan hasn't made any move since then. You think I'd be rash enough to show all my cards at once when the war is far from over?"
Dominic shifted on his weight, looking straight ahead again. "You're right, that would be rash. My apologies."
"Oh, fuck your apologies and say whatever it is you want to say next. I know you're not done yet."
He faced me again. "I just think that your recent activities haven't been centered on the important matters."
"I have, and she's just as important."
"She's your mistress."
"Can't be that if I'm not married."
"Well you should be, to Valentina of course. You will amass great power from the union."
I winced in annoyance. "Not you too."
"An alliance with the Ndrangheta would make you unstoppable, untouchable. The Bratva would be toast."
"They would be in due time."
"Why is she so important? Are you really going to risk this chance for a mere woman?"
I squared up at him. "Now, listen to me. She's not just a "mere woman". She's MY woman. Do you understand?"
"Valentina is perfectly suitable-"
"Do you understand Dominic?"
He clenched his teeth, his gaze hard. "I understand."
I looked away. "Good, never speak of this again."
We spent the rest of our waiting in silence. Him sulking and pissed at me while I was growing impatient with the delay. I wanted to inspect the shipment then be on my way to Diana's house.
I had to get my woman back.