CHAPTER 70: I don't give a fuck!

CHAPTER 70: I don't give a fuck!
CHAPTER 70
LUCAS

As the echo of Isadora’s laughter faded, a surge of uncontrollable rage exploded inside me. I didn’t even think—just moved.

I stormed toward the door, yanked it open, grabbed her by the arm, and dragged her back inside. She stumbled behind me, heels skidding across the floor. I slammed her against the wall, one arm pressing her shoulder hard enough to keep her in place. My face was inches from hers. I was breathing heavy. And I made sure she could feel every bit of it.

“You know what I should’ve done that night you came to my hotel?” I growled, my eyes burning into hers. “I should’ve put a bullet between your eyes and dumped your body in the fucking river. Would’ve saved me all this headache. Would’ve given me some peace.”

“Let go of me, Lucas,” she hissed, struggling against my grip. “You’re making a mistake. My father knows something you don’t. That’s why he sent me. He wants you to carry out an operation for him.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Isadora,” I snapped, yanking my arm away from her like her skin burned me. “Do I look like I have time to play soldier boy for Don Marcello? I’m a little busy hunting down the bastards who took my wife.”

Her eyes didn’t flinch. “You still remember who Don Marcello is, don’t you?” she said slowly. “You’re not stupid enough to ignore his summons. Di sicuro non lo farai.”

I took a step back, just to stop myself from doing something violent. “Maybe you’re not hearing me right. I don’t give a damn about your father, his empire, his orders, or his games. I’m not interested. Not now. Not ever. My wife is missing. My focus is getting her back. So do me a favor and get the fuck out of my house.”

She scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. “It’s pathetic that you still call that bitch your wife. Your real wife is standing right here in front of you, Lucas.”

My jaw clenched. I turned slowly and gave her a glare that could’ve frozen lava. “Watch your mouth.”

She didn’t. Of course she didn’t. “I’m not lying. That woman came out of nowhere, slid into your bed, and turned you into a fucking shadow of yourself. I’m not scared to say it—only a bitch does that. And don’t even try to deny it. You and I both know I was supposed to marry you. Oppure vuoi negare il fatto che avrei dovuto sposarti?”

I was done. Completely done.

I turned to Riccardo, who’d been watching everything silently from the side, arms crossed, expression tight. “Get her the hell out of here before I put a hole in her forehead.”

He moved toward her immediately. “That’s enough, Isadora. Time to go.”

But she wasn’t done. Of course not.

“If you’re planning to go after Unit 13,” she said, smirking like she’d just pulled a knife from behind her back, “then I hate to break it to you, baby… but Sofia isn’t with them.”

I stopped cold. My breath caught in my throat.

“What did you just say?” I asked, my voice suddenly low. Controlled. Dangerous. I turned to face her. “What do you mean Sofia isn’t with them?”

Her face was blank. Innocent. Too innocent. “What do I mean by what?”

I took a step forward. “What you said about Sofia not being with Unit 13. Where did you get that information?”

She rolled her eyes like I was the annoying one here. “Oh, please. I was guessing. A shot in the dark. Relax.”

I stepped closer. “No. You weren’t guessing. You know something. And I want to know how. Now.”

“I don’t know anything,” she said, her voice rising with irritation. “God, Lucas, you’re obsessed. Sofia this, Sofia that. Have you even listened to yourself lately? You’ve completely lost your mind.”

“Answer me!” I barked, voice booming through the hallway. I could feel the heat building behind my eyes. “You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t see through this act?”

“I already told you!” she yelled, voice cracking just slightly. “I’m not involved in her disappearance. I came to deliver a message from my father. That’s all. Take it or leave it.”

She turned and made to leave again, but I grabbed her wrist in one swift motion.

“You son of a—let go of me!” she shouted, but I didn’t.

I dragged her down the hallway toward the reinforced basement door. She kicked and struggled the entire way, but I didn’t loosen my grip for a second.

When I shoved open the door and pushed her inside, her eyes widened in horror at the sight of Diego’s broken, bloodied body slumped in the corner. She flinched and tried to pull back, but I pushed her a step farther into the room.

“What the hell is this?” she cried, her voice shaking for the first time.

“This,” I said quietly, stepping in front of her, “is your future if I find out you had anything to do with Sofia’s disappearance.”

She opened her mouth, but I stepped even closer, lowering my voice to a deadly whisper.

“If I ever find out you were involved, even a little, I’ll break every bone in your body. Piece by piece. I’ll make Diego look like he went to a spa. Then I’ll walk straight into your father’s mansion, drenched in your blood, and let him shoot me in the head with a smile on my face.”

“You’re threatening me? Over her?” she spat.

I leaned in closer, so close I could smell the expensive perfume mixed with sweat and fear.

“It’s not a threat, Isadora. It’s a promise. If I find out you so much as texted someone connected to Sofia’s disappearance, you won’t make it to sunrise. And when I’m done with you, your father won’t even recognize what’s left.”

She looked into my eyes, searching for mercy. There was none.

She swallowed hard, voice trembling. “You’d really kill me for her?”

I gave her a cold smile. “No. I’d kill you for me. For my peace. And I’d die right after knowing I made it right.”

Silence hung thick in the room. Even Diego coughed quietly from the corner, as if afraid to disturb the air.

Riccardo appeared at the door behind us, voice calm but firm. “Lucas, it’s enough.”

I didn’t look at him.

“I meant every word,” I whispered to her again, then turned and walked out of the basement, leaving Isadora standing frozen between the bloodstained walls.

She’d delivered her message.

But now I had one of my own.

And God help anyone who stood in my way.