Page 69 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

Marco agreed. "I'll bring people right away. Dante, hang in there."

The car stopped below Elena's building. I ran upstairs fast. The door was ajar.

I shoved it open. "Elena!"

Only Maggie was inside, watching TV. She jumped up when she saw me. "Oh my God, Dante, what happened to you? Elena's not home—didn't she go see you off?"

I'd just been in a firefight. I looked like hell. But I had no time for that.

My fear was confirmed. My heart sank completely.

Elena was in trouble.

What I'd dreaded most had happened.

"It's fine, she probably went shopping. I'll go find her." Maggie was old, couldn't handle the shock. I reassured her. "Stay home, lock the door. I'll bring Elena back."

Maggie looked at me with worry, but I had no time to say more. I slammed the door and left.

This kidnapping was planned. I thought of someone who'd definitely know how it went down.

I called Marco again. "Grab Valentina! Elena's been kidnapped—she's in on it for sure. Use whatever means necessary, get their plan out of her!"

"What?" Marco sounded shocked, but caught up fast. "Right away."

I was desperate enough to kill. But I had no idea where to find Elena. The helplessness made me want blood.

Suddenly, I remembered. The Moretti family had an ally in Mexico. We weren't close, but they owed Salvador a favor.

I bit down hard and dialed.

"Mr. Castro."

Samuel Castro answered. He was old too, ran his own fleet and controlled several exclusive routes. Not exactly cartel, but he had his own sphere of influence in Mexico.

"Dante, surprised you're calling me." Samuel's tone was slow, exactly like Salvador in his later years. "Heard you've been vacationing in Puerto Vallarta. What's up—want to pay me a visit?"

His tone was light, like catching up with an old friend. I had no patience for it.

I bit down hard. "My wife was kidnapped by the Cruz family. I need your help."

Samuel's tone turned serious. "Hector Cruz? Christ, guess he's still after your family's route."

"Yes." I could barely hold the wheel. "I need men. As many as possible. And I need you to check their operations here—I have to lock down their location."

Samuel agreed. "Alright. I'll call you back in ten minutes."

I stopped the car, closed my eyes. Couldn't let myself remember how Elena looked when she saw me off. I shouldn'thave left. I'd just gotten her back, and my carelessness put her in danger.

Soon, Samuel sent word. "My people are heading your way. I sent you Javier's activity range—it's big though. You'll have to sweep it."

I replied. "Thanks."

I opened the map. Samuel's marked area was huge. No way to pinpoint the exact location.

I tried to think rationally, but my mind wouldn't focus.

I kept imagining Elena being tortured. She was even pregnant... What that bastard Javier would do to her—I knew all too well.