45: Disappearance

Exhaling heavily, I made my way toward the exit. Madeline had vanished more than two hours ago. While I doubted that her abduction was intended to result in her death, the longer she remained missing, the slimmer the chances of finding her unharmed. Someone was trying to send a message.

"Kelan, be careful. My father can be a real jerk. He's always wanted more control, even developed a hatred for your father. But he did respect him and wouldn't have gone against him if he hadn't been pressured. You might not believe me, but my father isn't a bad man, just a broken one. He warned me the same way. Stay away from the Massimo family at all costs."

I paused for a moment, absorbing his words. "Noted," I responded quietly, making my way toward the open doors. "And it's Victor. Victor Racini."

The night air was crisp, the breeze biting, but I felt a fire burning within me. I sensed that a war was on the verge of erupting, staining the city with blood. For the first time in years, the thought