I screamed.
38
Giovanni
The plane landed at LaGuardia fifty-five minutes after takeoff. Maxim had vehicles waiting at the tarmac as we raced through rush hour traffic. I knew he was eager to get to the docks, and I was too. My sister and woman were taken from the one place they should have been safe
That was something I was never going to forgive myself for.
I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about what Layla was going through. She’d been in the clutches of that monster before. She had told me some of what she endured, and though I tried not to think of that, I couldn’t stop myself. She had been so strong before. She knew what she was getting into, accepted it, and found a way to push past everything. She was starting to let it all go on the island and move on. I wasn’t so sure it would be that easy for her when I got her back in my arms.
Something told me that Layla may be a strong woman capable of handling many things, but I wasn’t so sure she could go through it all over again. All I knew was the faster I could get her free from the clutches of that monster, the faster I could limit the damage done.
“My men are at the docks. They found his ship, and they are trying to board it now.”
“Is she there? Have they verified anything?”
“No. They will take the ship first. Anything with a dick will be killed. They know not to shoot a woman. I don’t allow that.”
“How much longer till we arrive?”
“About forty minutes. Traffic has become problematic.”
“Isn’t there an easier way around this?” I asked, looking at the gridlock we were currently stuck in.
“I’m sorry, no. This is the fastest route.”
Turning back to the window, I cursed myself for letting her out of my sight. I knew better. I knew she was a target. I knew there were people out there who wanted her. I should have taken her security more seriously. I just thought with Don Victor and his men with her, coupled with my men and Massacre, she would have been safe in my own home. The one place I considered secure.
Oh, how I was wrong.
Evil had invaded my home, and I didn’t even see it. I allowed my own arrogance to stop me from seeing what was right in front of my face. Now it had cost me greatly. My woman and sister were kidnapped, my mother was dead. Men I had trusted for years died because I became lax. Two of my brothers were in the hospital fighting for their lives, all because I became complacent.
This was all my fault.
I was the one to blame.
I was the head of the family.
I would have to carry this burden for the rest of my life.
“You need to let it go, Valentinetti. We’ve all been there. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and all that shit. What is done is done. It’s what you do next that will solidify your family. Think about that before you do something stupid.”
“She will never forgive me.”
“It doesn’t matter if she forgives you or not. All you need to concern yourself with is getting her to safety. When we arrive, I will seek out Illyria. She is my main concern.”
I turned to the man, shocked that he could so easily dismiss his niece. What kind of man would overlook his own flesh and blood?
“Do not mistake my words. You can not be in two places at once. You can only save one of them. I know this, and so do you, and as much as I would like to believe you would save your sister, what you feel for my niece will override that. Therefore, save my niece and trust me to save Illyria. She will be safe in my care.”
“I asked you before. You never replied, so I will ask you again. How long have you known my sister?”
“For two years now. We met at a benefit in the city. I knew when I laid eyes on her, she was special. Since then, I’ve tried many times to acquire her. Your sister is stubborn.”
I smirked at that. Maxim hadn’t seen anything yet. Illyria never did anything she didn’t want to. My sister was extremely independent, and when her mind was set, nothing would ever change it.
“She is still in college, Maxim.”