registration from the car,” Enzo said, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “But so far...nothing.”
“Fuck that,” I snapped. “She didn’t just up and vanish. I’ll find her myself if I have to. I’ll rip down every fucking door in this city and then move on to the rest of the state. Nothing will stop me.”
“We know, fratello,” Rocco said, moving forward to clasp my shoulder. “We won’t stop until she’s safe in your arms again. None of us.”
“Good,” I growled. “Then let’s start hunting.
Ramon had given me my own room in the huge mansion he called home. The grounds were fortified with iron gates and the place felt more like a military base with the fleet of armed men he had patrolling the perimeter. He'd left me to calm down, ensuring I had more food and water than I could ever need and he'd brought me an iPad too, leaving it silently on the bed while he gave me a wistful look from my position on the floor in the corner of the room. He'd told me the iPad was full of photo albums of us and when I was ready to remember, I could look through it. And if I needed anything I only had to ask for it. Except Nicoli. He would doubtfully give me him.
I'd held out for a while before taking the iPad from the bed and preparing myself to face more of my past. The air was cool in the room, my dress still in place since I'd arrived back here, not wanting to change into the comfy sweats he'd had a maid bring me. I wanted to hold onto every single thing that bound me to Nicoli, but the contents of this iPad could rock the foundations of all of it. Still...I had to know. As much as I feared the truth, it was clear I couldn't hide from it anymore. And looking at it didn't mean I had to change. It just meant I'd finally have some of the answers I'd yearned for during my time in captivity.
I clicked on the icon for the photo albums and my breathing quickened as I located the one for our wedding day. I had so many questions as I scrolled through the pictures, hunting for anyone who resembled me. A mother, a father, a sister, a cousin. Someone. But if I was related to any of these people, I couldn't tell.
My mind tugged with familiarity as I took in the eight tiered wedding cake, then the two of us cutting it together. I was smiling, seemingly happy. And as I traced my fingers over my face, I could almost remember the taste of that cake. Vanilla with a strawberry filling. The next page made my heart knot as I found my arms wrapped around Ramon's broad shoulders, his mouth against mine. We looked like a typical couple, in love on their wedding day. No matter how hard I tried to pick holes in the perfect images, I couldn't find any at all. No frown in my brow when he wasn't looking, no hint of distress or upset. As horrible as it was to admit it, it looked like I had once been very much in love with Ramon Hernandez. Either that or I was a better actress than I realised.
A soft knock came at the door and I tossed the iPad back onto the bed, not wanting to admit I’d caved and started looking through the pictures.
"Darling, can I come in?" Ramon asked.
I said nothing, having no words for him like every time he'd come and he pushed the door open after a beat, leaning his head through. "Is that okay?"
I clenched my jaw then shrugged, turning my gaze to the wall beside me.
"I'd like to talk...to explain myself." He ran a hand over the smooth sheen of his head, perching on the bed as he gazed at me on the floor. "I know you think the Romeros are your friends..."
I glared at him furiously, daring him to finish that sentence.
"And perhaps they have looked after you," he immediately changed tack at my expression and some of the tension in my shoulders eased. "But you belong with me. I have never stopped searching for you, my love. I had every cop in Sinners Bay hunting for you, your face was all over the papers." He clutched at his chest like his heart hurt. "And now I've found you and you don't remember me,"