Beneath The Surface

Chapter 35: Desperate Pursuit

--- Marco's POV ---

As we drove through the city, I couldn't stop my thoughts from drifting back to that night. The look in her eyes when I told her to leave haunted me. The pain and confusion in her expression had been unmistakable, and now, with each passing mile, I regretted every harsh word I had thrown at her.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. Why hadn't I just kept my emotions in check? Why hadn't I controlled my temper? The anger and hatred I felt for Alexander Knight had clouded my judgment, and now Raven was paying the price for my inability to separate her from her father.

Ace sat beside me, the tension between us thick and palpable. He hadn't said much since we left her apartment, but I could feel his anger simmering just below the surface. He had every right to be furious with me. Hell, I was furious with myself.

I glanced over at him, his jaw set in a hard line as he stared out the window. "Ace," I began, my voice rough, "I .. "

"Don't," he cut me off, his tone cold. "Just focus on finding her."

I nodded, swallowing back the lump in my throat. The drive felt like it was taking forever, the silence between us heavy and suffocating. Every red light, every slow driver, felt like a personal torment, dragging out the agony of not knowing if Raven was safe.

I couldn't get the image of her out of my head. Her pleading eyes, the way her voice had cracked when she begged me not to do this. I had pushed her away because of my own fears and insecurities, and now she was out there, possibly in danger, because of me.

The city lights blurred past us as I drove faster, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to find her. We had to find her.

After almost an hour of driving, we finally reached the outskirts of the city where my men had reported seeing Raven. I pulled the car to a stop and got out, Ace following close behind. My heart was pounding, a mix of anxiety and anger fueling my every step. Approaching the men, I tried to keep my composure, though every nerve in my body was on edge.

One of the men, a tall, rugged guy named Tony with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. He'd always been reliable, one of the few I could count on for solid intel.

"Tony," I barked, trying to mask my desperation, "what did you see?"

Tony nodded, his expression grim. "I was stopping at a small garage to grab some smokes when I saw her," he began, his voice steady. "Raven was with a guy almost twice her size. She looked scared, Marco. Real scared. I noticed she was trying to make a break for it, heading toward the garage. But the guy saw her and caught up with her before she could get far."

He paused, glancing between me and Ace before continuing. "He grabbed her by the neck and dragged her back to the car. She was struggling, but he was too strong. Threw her in the back and sped off. I tried to follow, but he was driving like a maniac. Lost him pretty quick."

I felt a surge of rage and helplessness. The image of Raven being manhandled by some brute, her fear palpable, made my blood boil. I clenched my fists, trying to keep myself from exploding. "Did you get a look at the car? Any plates, anything?" I demanded.

Tony shook his head. "Couldn't see the plates, but it was a black SUV, tinted windows. Looked like it might've been heading toward the old industrial area on the outskirts."

Ace stepped forward, his face a mask of controlled fury. "We need to move, Marco. Now. We can't let him get away with her."

I nodded, my mind racing. We had a lead, and it was better than nothing. Turning back to Tony, I said, "Get everyone you can on this. I want that SUV found. You hear me?"

Tony nodded. "Got it, boss. We'll find her."

With that, Ace and I hurried back to the car. As I slid into the driver's seat, I couldn't shake the image of Raven in danger. I had to find her, no matter what it took. As we sped off, the only thing I could think about was making sure she was safe, and dealing with the bastard who had taken her.

All the men got into their cars, with Tony leading the way to the old industrial area he suspected they went. The drive felt endless, every minute ticking by like an hour. The tension in the car was palpable, Ace and I were both on edge, desperate to find Raven.

When we finally reached the place, we barely had time to park before we were out of the car, practically sprinting towards the building. Tony and the others moved with us, weapons at the ready, surrounding the doors in a practiced maneuver. I gave Tony a quick nod, the signal to open the door and enter.

Tony kicked the door open, and we poured inside, weapons drawn and ready. But as we scanned the building, it quickly became clear that it was empty. The place looked like it hadn't seen any activity in days, maybe weeks. Dust hung in the air, and there were no signs of anyone being there recently.

Frustration boiled over inside me. I slammed my fist against an old wooden desk, the sound echoing through the empty space. "Damn it!" I cursed, my voice raw with anger and desperation.

Ace put a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "We'll find her, Marco. We just need to keep moving."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. "I know," I muttered, though the words felt hollow. "I just ... we were so close."

Tony walked over, his face a mask of frustration as well. "We'll keep looking, boss. They can't have gone far."

I nodded, trying to focus. "Alright. We spread out, search the surrounding area. They might be hiding somewhere nearby."

As the men started to fan out, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread settling in my gut. We had to find Raven, and soon. This wasn’t just about protecting her anymore, it was about righting the wrongs and facing the consequences of my actions. I knew I wouldn't rest until she was safe.