Chapter 40
Lorenzo
It’s been damn near two days since Vanessa was snatched from my hotel room. During that time, Matteo was able to confirm they had flown into a private airstrip in Colombia, but he hasn’t been able to pinpoint exactly where she is.
Since I couldn’t do shit in Seattle, I flew Leo and me back to Harbor Point to stay with Dani and Alba while we waited to hear from Matteo. Dominick, Kane, and Matteo have all upped security for their families, not wanting to chance Leysa coming after us while Matteo is away.
“Please eat,” Dani says, placing a plate of food in front of me.
“I can’t,” I mutter.
Knowing that Vanessa is probably not being fed makes me feel guilty for doing anything other than trying to locate her. Not that I can do much, but I’ve been searching for anything that might help lead us to where that bitch took her.
“Lorenzo, if you—”
My phone rings with a call from Matteo.
“Hey, any news?”
“Hold on. I’m conferencing my brother.”
A few seconds later, Dominick comes on the line. “Matteo, what’s going on?”
“This shit is serious,” Matteo says in a tone I’ve never heard from him before.
“There’s a compound in the middle of nowhere, and SUVs are arriving.
I can’t get close without risking them seeing me, but from the drone we’re using, along with the satellite images Eddy was able to get his hands on, some important people are here.
Fucking diplomats and powerful people. Our business associate, Victor Rosa from the DR, arrived and left a few minutes ago.
He’s got an entire fucking entourage, bro. ”
“Fuck,” Dominick hisses.
“Yeah,” Matteo agrees. “Whatever is going down is big. And from what I could gather, it’s invite-only. I need you to reach out to Victor, see what you can find out. You have a good relationship with him, so maybe he can get us an in.”
“Have you seen Vanessa?” I ask.
“No,” Matteo murmurs. “My plane arrived after theirs, and they pulled into what looks like an underground garage. But I won’t stop until I get her back,” he vows. “My men are working on a backup plan, but if we could get an in to whatever is going down, it would make it a helluva lot easier.”
“I’m on it,” Dominick says.
While I wait to hear from them, I check on Leo, who’s still taking a nap. The thought that both of them could’ve been taken has my stomach roiling. What Vanessa did, sticking him in a closet with her phone, saved his life, and if I wasn’t already in love with the woman, I would be now.
As I wait for my phone to ring with an update, I think about what Matteo said about the compound and something big going down. I know there isn’t much I can do, but sitting in Harbor Point while Matteo risks his life to save my wife feels wrong.
“Can you watch Leo for me?” I ask Dani.
“You’re going to Colombia.”
It’s not a question. She knows I am.
“Two of the people I love are there.”
She nods in understanding, then wraps her arms around me. “Be safe, Lorenzo. And tell my husband not to do anything stupid. I need him to come home.”
I grab my carry-on since I never unpacked it and call the charter company since Matteo has our private plane with him.
They’re able to get me on a flight within the hour. I have Sal drive me to the airstrip so I don’t have to deal with my vehicle.
I’m about to call Matteo to let him know when my phone rings.
“Hey,” Dominick says. “I have Matteo on the line. I spoke to Rosa, and it’s not good. Matteo, you were right. Damn near every affluential businessman in the underworld has been invited out to a compound in the middle of the desert in Colombia for an auction.”
With his words, my stomach drops.
After everything we did to try to protect Vanessa, it wasn’t enough. Vanessa is being auctioned to the highest bidder. Some sick and twisted piece of shit.
“According to Rosa, Santiago is trying to make a comeback, but she’s been getting pushback.
Men aren’t taking her seriously. She’s a young woman, and nobody trusts her.
Several men have fucked her over, and in retaliation, she’s taken their daughters and granddaughters, and she’s planning to sell them tomorrow night.
Rosa was invited and said he could get us an in, but it’ll cost us. ”
“You told him we’d give him whatever the fuck he wanted, right?” I bark.
“Of course I did,” Dominick says.
“I’m on my way to Colombia,” I tell them. “And before you fucking argue, Matteo, you’re going to need someone to accept the invite.”
“You don’t think she’s going to have the names screened?” Matteo scoffs. “You’re not getting in that door. None of us are. That place is locked down tighter than the White House.”
Shit, he’s right.
“I have that covered,” Dominick says. “Rosa said we could use his son’s name. He’ll give you what you need to get in, and then the rest is on you.”
“Thank you, Dominick. I’m pulling up to the airstrip now. I’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and step out of the car, praying that Matteo and I get to Vanessa in time. Because if we don’t, there’s a chance I’ll never see Vanessa again. And Leo will lose the only woman he’s ever viewed as his mother.