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Chapter One
Beep… beep... beep…
The monitor registered an even heart rate, but the patient remained unconscious.
* * *
Unknown number: attached video
Though dark, the parking lot behind Drake’s building was distinguishable. And though she wasn’t in the frame, Drake would know Alessandra’s voice anywhere. She was crying and begging before the clip ended. Regardless of the circumstances, he knew he needed to move quickly.
Drake was at his safe in seconds, cursing as he jabbed in the four-digit code—the one he’d recently changed to his wedding date. He pulled out the black Beretta and a loaded magazine. Instead of waiting for his private elevator, he took the emergency stairs two at a time.
His thumb remained on the safety the entire way, poised and ready if needed. Once he reached the entryway, he raised the gun and peeked around the corner. Training and experience taught him the importance of keeping his guard up even though it seemed like he was wasting precious time because every second mattered.
Nothing could’ve prepared him for the sight that greeted him. He shook as he approached Noah’s bloodied body, lying prone on the asphalt. His swollen face looked like a grotesque creature wearing his skin as a mask. Drake’s fingers came away bloody after searching for a pulse, and he thanked God it was there. Noah took pride in styling his hair, which was now matted with blood, and the visible skin beneath his shredded designer clothes was bloody and bruised.
After his quick assessment of Noah, Drake turned his attention to his wife and felt the blood drain from his face. He’d never experienced fear like seeing Alessandra naked and crumpled on the ground beside Noah. As he turned her over, he nearly cried with relief when she softly whimpered. He gathered her in his arms and again thanked a higher power.
“Hang on, Alessandra.”
Drake could hardly breathe as he examined her body, finding her bruised and battered. He had his suspicions about who was involved. As soon as it was confirmed, he had a bullet with their name on it and would deliver it right between the eyes.
Her wrists had been slashed, and she was bleeding out. Drake tore fabric from her discarded clothes and wrapped it above the wounds to create a tourniquet and slow the bleeding.
“Don’t leave me, bella. I love you!” he cried.
He held her until the paramedics arrived. At that point, Alessandra was no longer conscious, and Noah wasn’t breathing.
Distraught, Drake called Jerry. How would he tell his friend and mentor that his husband had been beaten to the point that they weren’t sure if he’d survive?
Drake used his status as a prosecutor to persuade an officer on the scene to take him to the hospital. He was in no condition to drive himself or remain home alone.
Each member of the private task force had a secret code memorized and would text an unknown burner if their positions were compromised or an emergency such as this arrived. Drake sent his code to his handler, Grant Ellis. It immediately sent a GPS signal of his last known location and opened access to mirror the phone in case evidence such as photos or recordings were taken.
This would lead them to the anonymous sender of the video. Drake couldn’t waste time worrying about it now, but that video had likely saved his wife’s life.
Once he arrived at the medical facility, he was escorted to a private waiting room. Both his wife and friend were rushed into emergency surgery. And all Drake could do was wait.
“Drago?” A man approached Drake cautiously.
Drake looked up to find his team leader approaching. Grant Ellis cocked his eyebrow, which was marred by a heavy scar. He’d confided one night over drinks that it was a shrapnel wound from a roadside bombing overseas. His sandy-blond hair was perfectly coiffed as always. The smell of smoke lingered around him, making Drake feel sick.
“Don’t call me that!” Drake growled. He wasn’t in the mood to exchange pleasantries or be polite.
Grant ignored Drake and took the seat next to him. He leaned back and crossed a foot over his knee.
“I was briefed on the way up by police and medical personnel. We’ve already identified the sender of the message you received. Your instincts were right. Sometimes CIs and those undercover get too deep.”
“I don’t give a shit about that right now. I only care about my wife and friend.”
“Jerry is on his way. I sent an agent to pick him up when we received his distress signal.”
Drake only nodded.
“I’m glad you’ve been getting some good pussy, but you’ve lost sight of your priorities in this marriage.”
Drake wanted to put his fist in Grant’s face but restrained himself. He needed to save his anger for those who truly deserved it.
