HIS

Chapter 18

Domenico's POV

I just landed after a short flight. My phone had slipped from my hand right before boarding, but luckily, Max promised to have one ready for me one once we arrived. I can't wait to see my baby. Dad and Mario stayed behind to tie up loose ends and take a few days to relax before heading back. Honestly, I can't understand why they'd want to stay in that freezing place. Luca and I, on the other hand, decided to head home.

Max and Kai came to pick us up. Once we got into the car, Max handed me a phone.
"Thanks, man," I said, taking it from him. "Is everything synced to this one?"

"Yes, and I've encrypted it too," Max said as we pulled away from the tarmac, heading back toward the city. I decided to check my messages—Olivia must've tried to reach me while my phone was off. Sure enough, there was a message from her saying she was going to a college party. Something about that didn't sit right with me.

My heart started racing as I called her, but she hung up. That wasn't like Olivia at all. Something felt off.

"Max, track Olivia's phone for me," I instructed. He didn't hesitate—immediately pulling out his laptop and getting to work. Meanwhile, I tried calling her again, but the line was busy. I dialled two more times, and on the third try, she finally picked up.

"Sweetheart, where are you?" I asked, my voice filled with worry.

The only sound besides the relentless banging in the background was her voice—soft, strained, and uttering the one word I dreaded most: "Help." A chill ran down my spine.

"Stay with me, baby. I'm on my way," I said, just as the sound of something crashing—maybe a door—echoed through the line.

"Any update, Max?" I asked, keeping my ear to the phone while Luca gave me a questioning look.
"Ten seconds," Max replied, focused on his laptop.
"Olivia's unconscious somewhere," I said, my voice tight. "The only thing she managed to say was 'help'—right before I heard something crash, maybe a door being forced open."

I heard voices on the other end—men speaking casually, disturbingly unfazed.
"She's out cold," one of them said, his tone unsettling. "Didn't think she was serious when she said there'd be someone new."
Another voice chimed in, laughing. "The payout's solid. This one's going to be worth it."
Their laughter echoed through the phone, sending a chill down my spine.

"Sick bastards," I muttered under my breath, unable to contain my anger.
"What's going on, Dom?" Kai asked, concern etched across his face.
"They're planning to hurt her if we don't get there in time," I said, my voice tight with panic.
"27 Jasper Avenue, Greenwich," Max called out, eyes still locked on his screen. I just hoped we weren't already too late.

"We're about ten minutes out," Kai said, his eyes fixed on the road. "I know the area—my aunt lives just two streets away."

"Good thing you're the one driving," I said just as the call cut off on the other end.

"Fuck, Fuck, Fuck" I shouted, completely losing it in the back seat. The panic was overwhelming, and I could feel my control slipping.

The car was silent until we arrived. As soon as we pulled up, we all jumped out, checking our weapons and making sure they were loaded. I tucked mine into the back of my jeans as I stepped out, the others close behind. The area was chaotic—drunk partygoers scattered around, some making out, others barely aware of their surroundings. We pushed through the crowd toward the house, but when we reached the front door, it was locked.

"You'll have to go around back," a tipsy girl sitting alone on the doorstep mumbled. "Someone broke the front door—it won't open."

We made our way around the house—thankfully, it wasn't very big. When we reached the back porch, I spotted two of Olivia's friends, the same ones I'd seen at the restaurant that night. They were sitting with a group of guys, and their conversations came to an abrupt halt the moment they noticed us.