MARRIED TO THE CAPO

Chapter 26

Lorenzo

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, followed by a burning rage. How could Louis do this to her? To my Eva?

I slammed my fist on the table, making Ivan and her father jump. "Why didn't I know this before?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and hurt.

Ivan looked down, shamefaced. "We were trying to protect her," he muttered.

"Protect her?" I repeated, incredulous. "By keeping me in the dark?"

Eva's father, Alexander , placed a hand on my arm. "We didn't mean to hurt you, Lorenzo" he said gently. "We just...we didn't know how to tell you. We thought Louis would be over Eva. But never imagined the ideas of him coming back to hurt her again. " he said, his voice shaky.

I shook my head, still trying to process the revelation of Louis and Eva's dark past.

I clenched my fists, trying to calm myself down. I needed to be strong for Eva, to get her through and out of this.

But as I looked at Alexander and Ivan, I knew I couldn't forgive them for keeping this secret from me. Not yet, at least.

"We need to get Eva away from him," I said, my voice firm. "Now!!"

_____

"We've captured all of Marco's and Louis's warehouses," Dante announced. "But Dino said that Eva was  found in none. "

I looked at him with a hint of disappointment and anger in my expression.

"Keep searching," I growled. "I want Eva found, and I want her found now."

Ivan, stood before me, his expression grim. "Lorenzo, I've been thinking," he said, his voice low. "Louis never thinks straight. He's unpredictable."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"

Ivan's eyes locked onto mine. "I'm saying that Louis wouldn't be stupid enough to keep Eva in one of his warehouses. That's the first place we'd look."

I nodded, understanding. " Then where could she be? You know any place under Louis. "

Ivan nodded. "Somewhere we wouldn't think to look. Even if Louis is not from Italy Marco is. He has connections all over . He could have her stashed away in a safe house, or a private residence... anywhere."

I clenched my jaw, my mind racing. Ivan was right. Louis was cunning, and we couldn't underestimate him.

"Alright," I said, my voice firm. "We need to think outside the box. Let's get a list of all Marco closest allies.Dante get a whole of Marco's allies and also their properties especially in the outskirts of city within an hour. When we get it let's get divided into teams. Alexander call all your Allies for more men and I'll do the same. Let this war begin"

They all nodded, a determined look on their face.

_____

Right now I'm crouched behind a cluster of bushes trying to hide from potential cameras ,my men at a distance , my eyes fixed on the bungalow in the distance. Owned by Marco's closest friend, this was the perfect place to hide someone.

The outskirts of the city were deserted, with no men surrounding the bungalow. It seemed like a normal, peaceful residence. But I knew better.

My instincts screamed at me that Eva was close. I could feel it.

I turned to my men, fanned out around me, and warned, "Be careful. This place may look innocent, but we can't afford to let our guard down."

My heart was racing, my senses on high alert. I knew we were taking a risk, but I had to try for what's mine.