Page 148 of Vow Of Fire

“Who’s with her?” My brother knew I’d never let her go anywhere alone.

“Kyle,” I barked. “I’ll call him. Gotta go.”

I hung up and dialed Kyle’s number, but it went straight to voicemail.

Shit. A bad feeling ignited in my gut. I called Evelyn, but her phone was off. It didn’t even ring.

What the fuck had happened?

I tried Leo. His housekeeper, the formidable Giselle, picked up.

Yes, Miss Cruz had left fifteen minutes ago. She was fine. Of course, I’ll get Signor Marcelli.

“Something’s happened to the SUV,” I told my grandfather. I think he could hear the anxiety in my voice, because I heard him wave Giselle back, and then he issued a curt command.

Seconds later, he was back on the line. “We’ll send someone after them. Send me the coordinates.”

“Will do. Thanks, Leo,” I said, already messaging Nico. “Call me the moment they find her.” I cut that call.

Immediately, my phone rang again. It was Kyle.

Thank God.

I answered. “Kyle, I’ve been trying⁠—”

“Dante, we’ve been hit. I’ve been hit.” There was a pause. “They’ve got Evelyn.”

My blood froze. Everything slowed down and all I could hear was a muted noise in my ears and my own pulse. After a beat, things came back into focus.

“How?” I rasped.

“There were two vehicles. They rammed us from the side, then opened fire.” He coughed harshly. “I got hit before I could get her clear.”

“You get a plate?” I tried not to give in to the anxiety that had gripped my chest and was squeezing my heart into a ball.

“No plates. They were taped up.”

Fuck.

“Where are you?” I barked into the phone. My knuckles were white, I was gripping it so hard.

“Fifty-Eighth and Lexington,” Kyle ground out. His voice sounded strained, tight with pain. “I tried to follow but—fuck—they boxed us in.”

I was already moving, grabbing my Glock from the office drawer.

“You okay?” I asked through the red haze rapidly descending. I fought the urge to put my fist through the nearest wall.

“Yeah. Cops are arriving now.” Heavy breathing crackled down the line.

“Is she hurt?” I rasped.

“No.” He didn’t hesitate. “She was okay when they grabbed her. Fighting like hell, but okay.”

Thank Christ.

“Who were they?” I was going to find them and skin them alive for this. Then I was going to systematically destroy everything they held dear.

“I don’t know. They wore masks and full tactical gear.” Another ragged breath. “Definitely a professional hit.”