CHAPTER 27

Renzo

 

“You need to rest.”

 

I turned my head slightly. “Father, when I find her,” I said hoarsely, “she’ll wish I stayed in that coma.”

The room eventually cleared.

The doctors left first, then the nurses, then the unnecessary bodies who thought they had a reason to stay near me. Around me, the machines kept humming in a soft but irritating manner.

I was still placed on a 48-hour bed rest since my body was trying to catch up with my mind.

My father stayed by the door, silent now, watching me in absolute disappointment.

I loathed that look.

I shifted, gripping the handles of the crutches resting beside the bed, and forced myself upright.

Richard moved instantly.

“Renzo,” he growled warningly. "Don't push it yet.”

I ignored him.

The floor felt too far away, but I planted my feet anyway and stood. My arms shook pathetically. Jesus, Renzo. Pain shot through my arms… shit.

“Father, I know you are disappointed. But I need some time alone.”

Richard stared at me for what felt like an eternity. “Alright son. I'll give you this night alone.”

“Thank you.”

When the door finally shut behind him, I breathed out.

“Hawk.”

Silence followed my call.

Then the door opened quietly and Hawk stepped inside. He looked the same, tall with a neutral expression written all over his face. He never asked questions twice.

Except he was useless.

Tonight those broad shoulders were tight, like he already knew what was coming.

The door clicked shut behind him.

I took a step forward.

The crutches scraped softly against the floor as I slowly took a step towards him. Yet Hawk didn’t move, speak, or try to help me. He just stood there, eyes forward, waiting.

I stopped in front of him.

My grip tightened around one crutch.

“Where,” I asked calmly, “the fuck were you when Zaria was getting away?”

Guilt flashed in his eyes for half a second then it was gone.

But that was enough.

I swung the crutch. It cracked against the side of his head with a dull sound that echoed in the quiet room. Hawk went down immediately, hitting the floor hard.

Blood spilled fast from his temple.

“Answer me!”

Hawk rolled once then dropped to his knees, head bowed, hands at his sides. Blood ran down his face and dripped onto the tiles, but his back stayed straight.

I stood over him, breathing heavily.

“Answer me,” I repeated.

Hawk swallowed.

“We were looking for her,” he said. “That night, she vanished. There were no cameras or witnesses. None of the exits triggered. It was like she stepped out of the continent because we swept the city twice and came back empty.”

I scoffed. “And Brazil,”

His throat moved again. “Elix Vescari,” he said carefully, “sent her people. They followed the trail all the way to Brazil, but it stopped there.”

Elix again.

My grip loosened slightly on the crutches as something cold slid through me. Elix’s voice filled my head. I remember her orders, men moving because she told them to. The sound of a gun being cocked and Hawk at her mercy.

I exhaled slowly.

“Shit,” I muttered.

It hadn’t been a hallucination. I had heard everything, felt everything, and known even when I couldn’t open my eyes.

I looked down at Hawk again.

“How long,” I asked quietly, “do you think she planned this?”

He didn’t answer right away.

That was a mistake.

I leaned closer. “How long,” I repeated, “do you think she planned to leave me?”

Hawk lifted his head just enough to meet my gaze. His eyes were honest. “I think,” he said carefully, “she planned it long enough to make sure you couldn’t stop her.”

I straightened slowly, turning away from him.

But I gave Zaria everything. I gave her money. I gave her protection. I gave her a name that opened doors and shut mouths. I gave her a house and a life where no one could touch her unless I allowed it.

All I wanted was her.

The thought trailed off before I could finish it because something else followed immediately after.

I did this, I did that.

The realization settled uncomfortably. Truth was, I never let Zaria do anything without permission. I never let her move without Hawk watching.

And now she was in Brazil, seeing people, laughing… living and enjoying her life without me.

“Arghhh!” I slammed the crutch against the floor once, twice, three times, repeatedly… “Find her,” I snarled.

Hawk flinched but stayed kneeling.

“I don’t care where she hides. I don’t care who she hides behind. I don’t care what it costs.”

I turned back to him fully.

“You find her,” I continued. “You bring her back to me alive. Don’t touch her or try to speak to her. You just bring her.”

“Yes, boss,” Hawk said immediately.

“And Hawk,” I added.

He looked up.

“If you fail,” I said evenly, “you won’t get the chance to kneel next time.”

He bowed his head. “Understood.”

I turned away from him, my body trembling now from exhaustion. My phone vibrated beside me.

It had Richard written on it. I swiped the answer.

“You shouldn’t be standing,” he said quietly. I glanced around, feeling his eyes on me.

“Father, Zaria drugged me,” I said, more to myself than to him. “And disappeared clean.”

Richard hesitated. “I know. She went far. Literally. It means the road is clear.”

I chuckled bitterly. “The road…? You mean for Elix? Why do you keep…” The thought twisted something in my chest again, but I crushed it down immediately. I took a deep breath. “Father, please. Now is not the time.”

Richard didn’t respond. “Is Hawk still there? Dismiss him.”

I blinked. Hawk?

Oh, Hawk.

I whirled around to see him still kneeling. “Get up.”

Hawk pushed himself to his feet slowly, blood still drying on his face, waiting for dismissal.

I nodded stiffly. “Go. Find her.”

“Yes, Boss,” Hawk promised.