Chapter 23
DECLAN
A s the elevator to my penthouse opens, I sigh. It still smells of her in here. She’s everywhere. I’m half tempted to ask Enzo to find her once we get this deal through.
Shit. I’ve gotta call Dad back.
I take a step out and my foot slides. Without thinking, I look down and see a slither of silver. I blink a few times, bending down and picking it up, and my heart stops.
Blood and a knife.
In my fucking penthouse.
Silently, I take out my phone from my pocket and dial Finn, resting it on my shoulder as I pace the penthouse.
“Dec?”
“You didn’t butcher someone and drop the knife in my place, did you?”
“No.”
I push open the balcony doors, nothing.
“Pack your shit. We gotta get out of here.”
“Heard.”
“Meet me at reception in ten minutes. I have a call to make.”
Going to the kitchen, I grab the bleach and a cloth. Using my phone for Enzo, I hit call and pray he answers.
“Hello?”
“I need a favor.”
“So soon?”
“Can you get the security footage into my penthouse in the last two hours?”
“I can. Hold on. What am I looking for?” he replies immediately.
“Someone’s left a fucking bloodied knife on my floor.”
“Wipe the prints.”
I roll my eyes. I’m not a dumbass.
“I am as we speak.”
Placing the knife in the drawer with the others, I slam it closed and ball my fists. Whoever did this, they have no idea who they are playing with.
“Sending images now. You might not like this.”
My brows furrow as I put him on speaker and open the attachment. A face I will never forget.
The night of my life with the woman of my dreams.
Turns into a fucking nightmare.
I wanted to track her down to claim her as mine. She was perfect for me.
Now, I want to find her, and I will break her.
My fucking heartbreaker.
“Did you get her name?” Enzo asks, shaking me out of my fury.
“No. Not her real one, Brittany is all I have.” I grit out.
I’ve been fucking stupid. Never again. It wasn’t anything at first sight. She fucking tricked me.
“I’ll see what I can do. Um, Declan, you have a further problem.”
I sigh, resting my palms on the counter and lowering my head. This is a headache.
“Tip off to the cops. ETA ten minutes. Get your brothers, head to the trail just towards the beach, there’s a road that leads off there on your right. Go there, and I’ll have Romeo pick you up. Take the knife with you and dispose of it when you’re home. For now, we will put you in a safe house and get you back to Ireland as soon as we can.”
I slam my fist against the counter.
“What do they want with me?”
Enzo sighs.
“I’m unsure if it’s you or me, Declan. There was someone trying to push us out of the security earlier. It’s connected, and I will find out how. Now go. You have nine minutes to get the fuck out.”
I frantically shove all my important shit in the bag and leave. My rage has tempered for now until I’m safe.
Fuck going to an Italian prison.
And fuck having a heart.
As I get in the elevator, I take another look at that image. The pain in her eyes is almost haunting.
“Mark my words, heartbreaker, your nightmare has just begun. I don’t give a fuck what it takes, I will become your nightmare,” I whisper.
Closing my eyes, no doubt about to walk into carnage with my brothers, all for the sake of some pussy.
Not just any, though, that night will live in my brain forever.
Now, it’s tainted with hatred.