To Heal the Enemy

33

Chapter Thirty-Three: Lost Appetite

Anala's pov:

Thank God for having all this technology because if we weren't able to record this call I have no idea where we would be.

Jay has had us listen to the call and has explained his viewpoints and discoveries.

The first thing that we all noticed was that the person on the phone had a strong Italian accent. The man had told Mateo that they wanted the money in exchange for Luca. If we do not show up or don't bring all the money that was asked then they would kill Luca.

Hearing this brings shivers down all of our spines and not only does it drain the blood from my face but Alex's as well.

Of course, Mateo had asked how they wanted to do this "exchange" and they had given the address of what seemed to be in a really bad area of New York.

None of us could recognize the voice and we all agreed there is a good chance we don't actually know this person personally and whoever is in charge of this did their research.

Kaz slips back in without Cami this time and sits down in a chair beside Jay.

"Just to be clear we are all coming right?" I ask and sit as well. I think the medication I've been taking is making me tired. I feel more run down than usual lately.

Mateo nods and tells us that we are gonna need all hands on deck since we have no idea who we are working with and what to expect.

Alex, who has barely been speaking, asks Jay about the location of where the phone call came from.

"I'm not able to track where the phone is right now which has me believing that they destroyed it. I of course was able to track the phone number and get the area code which is from another area in New York. That concludes us with knowing that Luca is most likely in New York right now," Jay says leaning back in the chair with his arms crossed.

"When did this call take place again?" Alex asks with his attention towards Mateo.

"Quarter after ten," Mateo asks questioning with his eyes.

Alex looks lost in thought until Mateo asks him what he's thinking about.

He looks angry as he says "I'm thinking about the fact that Luca is out there with God knows who doing God knows what to him. I'm thinking about the fact that I can't help him when he needs me and that my little brother could already be fucking dead," he says growing angrier the more that he continues.

"I'm thinking about the fact that I wasn't there to keep him safe when I should have been and failed at my job of being his guardian. That is what I'm fucking thinking about Mateo."

The room falls silent and my heart shatters for him as if it wasn't already.

I nod and swallow the knot in my throat that just goes to show how real this is all starting to feel.

I've never been good at dealing with other people's emotions because I haven't seen them much growing up so I do what I think is the right move and stand up before I walk over and throw my arms around his neck.

He just stands there for a moment before I feel his arms wrap around my back and I feel him start to tremble.

I look to Mateo who is standing from behind him and mouth the words get out. He immediately gives Jay and Kaz the look and they all leave Alex and I alone.

I feel a rush of relief knowing that it's only him and I alone in the room without any eyes on us.

His shoulders start to shake and I can hear him quietly sob.