Chapter 27

Unspoken Desires - Chapter 27

Sareena

Matteo, Matthew, and Damian were going through their gear, laying everything out and deciding what they needed for the rescue. I stood on thesidelines, watching. Feeling like an outsider.

Damian still hadn’t spoken to me. But I caught him looking, just for a second, when he thought I wouldn’t notice. I know I screwed up. I pushed him away when I should’ve let him in. I know I’m impulsive, that I act without thinking, and that I don’t know how to ask for help.

That’s what happens when you grow up the way I did. No one was ever around to help me. I’ve always only had one person to depend on. Myself.

One thing I’m sure of: I’ll be in therapy for years trying to unpack my childhood trauma.

Needing space, I stepped outside and started walking the perimeter of the property. That’s when I noticed a narrow trail cutting behind the neighbors’ yards. I followed it for a few steps. It curved toward the abandoned complex where they were holding my family.

I froze. Then I turned and sprinted back to the house.

The guys were still deep in strategy, too focused to notice me grab a trauma kit and a pair of bolt cutters from the side table.

The sun was setting fast, shadows stretching long over the desert landscape. It helped me blend in with the rocks and low shrubs.

As I got closer to the building, I spotted three massive Russian men walking out the front door. They were laughing, speaking to each other in Russian, too fast and too foreign for me to understand.

Once they got into their truck and pulled away, I knew this was my chance.

I moved low and fast across the back of the property and reached the window Matt had broken earlier, and peeked inside.

Sophia and Nona were helping Nono into a makeshift bath behind a thin sheet pinned to the wall. A pathetic attempt at privacy.

My chest tightened with longing for Nono’s warm embrace.

I scanned the back of the complex, searching for the door that led to their unit. I crept along the wall, staying low and listening carefully.

That’s when it hit me. I made a rookie mistake. I hadn’t checked if any Bratva were still on-site.

Once I realized I was alone, I moved to the door I was sure led to their location. I pulled out the bolt cutters and cut the chain.

Inside, I heard a slight commotion, but I couldn’t stop. I had to get to them.

When I finally got the door open, I screamed.

Sophia was standing on a chair beside the door, a small rock raised in her hand, ready to strike.

Her eyes widened. The rock dropped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Then she jumped into my arms.

I still don’t know how to navigate this new relationship with my twin. I’m happy we’re working on it, but a part of me almost relapsed when I saw her about to attack me. It’s human nature to protect yourself when in danger, but seeing her about to attack me, it triggered something raw in me.

When she finally let go, I grabbed my trauma bag and went to check on the others.

Nono was dehydrated. His blood pressure was dangerously high, and the pain in his legs made me worry about a possible blood clot.

I administered IV fluids to both Nono and Nona. Then I asked Nona to hold them steady while I checked on Constance.

Constance was in worse shape. Over a week of dehydration, and no medication. Her blood pressure was dangerously low. She looked dazed and disoriented. I was almost certain she’d had a few fainting spells. With how weak Sophia looked, I didn’t think the two of us could carry Constance out by ourselves.

I stood and motioned for Sophia to speak with me in the corner. I didn’t want the others to hear what I had to say.

I explained the situation and convinced her to take both Nono and Nona to the safe house through the trail I’d found. Once she got there, she needed to send the guys back as fast as possible.

I gave her quick instructions on how to care for them until I could get there. But if things got worse, she needed to take them to a hospital. I told her not to wait for me.

She didn’t want to leave me at first, but I made her go. She needed to get them out.

And I needed the men to help me get Constance stable and safely out of there.

————

Damian

We were all still huddled around the table, going over the blueprints for the rescue again. Every angle. Every weak spot. Every single backup plan.

I got up to grab some beers from the cooler we’d dragged in earlier.

As I passed by the front window, something caught my eye. A blacked-out SUV and a limo rolled slowly past the rental.

Demetrius was right. Maria and her goon squad were heading to the abandoned complex.

I scanned the house. Sareena wasn’t around. She was probably upstairs, keeping her distance from Matteo. And me.

I was just about to go check on her when the front door burst open and Gabriella, Maximus, Demetrius, and Davide storm in.

So much for timing.

I paused at the base of the stairs. Whatever needed to be said between me and Sareena would have to wait. We had bigger things to handle first.

“They just pulled up,” Davide said to Matteo, a little out of breath. “We stayed behind them but out of sight, boss.”

Matteo gave him a nod, and we all circled back to the table. It was time to compare notes and finalize the plan.

I headed back to the kitchen to finally grab those beers, when something outside caught my attention. Movement. Coming from the bushes behind the neighbor’s yard.

I narrowed my eyes, heart already shifting into fight mode.

I called back to the guys. “We’ve got movement; north side, behind the house.”

In seconds, everyone was armed and in position. Max was at the window at the top of the stairs, eyes on the yard, gun drawn. Davide slid to the side window, making sure we had no other surprises. While Matthew covered the rear.

How the hell had they found us so fast?

Then Max’s voice rang out. “Drop your guns! It’s Sophia and the Morellis!”

Matteo was gone before I could blink, running full-speed out the back door. We all followed, sprinting through the gravel to meet them.

————

Vincent

The entire drive to the Cosmopolitan was quiet. Not a word from me or the Uber driver. Just the low hum of the engine and the storm raging in my chest.

When I got there, I requested a table near the one Lessia and Cesare had reserved, tucked in a shadowed corner with a full view. I didn’t say a word. Just sat there. Watching. Waiting.

How could she do this to me? She was in my bed hours ago. Moaning my name like I was the only man who ever mattered. And now she was on her way here; reuniting with the ex boyfriend who left her. The one who vanished without a trace.

She was fucking me… right before walking back into Cesare’s arms.

I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve protected myself. I fooled myself into thinking she wanted more. That she was choosing me. I let my guard down for her. Stupid.

Flashes from our night together hit me like gut punches. Her lips on mine, the way she clung to me, the look in her eyes when she came undone. And now she was going to walk into this place like none of it mattered.

I scanned the room. It wasn’t packed, but there were plenty of men sitting in pairs, quietly observing. Cesare’s men? Maybe. Matteo always said Cesare didn’t usually travel with security, but I wouldn’t put it past him.

Or maybe I was just being paranoid. Seeing threats in every shadow because I didn’t want to see the truth that was already sitting in front of me.

I flagged down a server. “Double scotch,” I said. “Your best.”

He nodded and returned with a bottle I recognized: Fortnum & Mason Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Single Malt. Pricey as hell. I didn’t care.

I tossed it back like it was nothing, hoping it would quiet the fury in my chest. It didn’t.

About thirty minutes later, they walked in. Cesare and Lessia.

She looked beautiful. Tight black dress. Heels that made her legs look like sin. Her hair pulled back just enough to show off the curve of her neck. The same neck I was kissing just hours ago.

His hand rested possessively on her lower back as he guided her to the table. Like she belonged to him. And then… he kissed her.

Right there, in front of everyone. Like he was staking his claim. Passionate. Too fucking real.

I almost lost it.

“Another,” I snapped to the passing waiter, slamming my glass on the table.

I needed another double - fast. Or I was going to start a war in the middle of this goddamn place.