“I have Eliana,” I state, brandishing the weapon.
For a moment, the ice in his eyes cools and I see glimpses of the man who told me he wasn’t going to give up on us. But then the look disappears as quickly as it came.
“You already said I was dead to you, Rafaelle, just ignore me.”
His jaw clenches. Mine does too.
We're standing beside the convoy of cars ready to move neither of us is willing to back down.
"My daughter is there,” I continue, knowing this is doing nothing but waste precious time.
"Our daughter."
The correction slips out automatically. Something flashes across his face. Gone before I can identify it. Then his expression hardens again.
“Please, Rafaelle. I need to be there. I have to make sure she’s safe,” I’m not above begging him. God knows I already owe him so much and them some.
He stares at me for a moment before exhaling sharply.
Then he turns away. Done with the argument
* * *
The cabin sits deep within the woods.
Hidden and remote. It’s the kind of place people disappear. As soon as the engines of the cars die. The forest becomes eerily quiet. I step out of the car, same as other three dozen men that are here to save my daughter. We proceed to the cabin on foot, knowing Ignacio must have been alerted to our presence.
As soon as we’re close, we immediately spotting movement. Armed guards. Patrolling the perimeter. Dozens of them.
My heart climbs into my throat. Somewhere beyond them is my daughter. And I’ll be damned if anyone or anything stops me from getting to her.
The next few minutes happen quickly. The Vitales spread out.
Moving through the trees. Predators preparing to strike. The attack begins without warning.
Gunfire erupts and chaos explodes. The scene is reminiscent of what occurred earlier in the day with Carlos. Men start shouting. Bodies drop.
I flinch at every shot. Every scream and impact.
But all I can think about is Mila.
Rafaelle appears in front of me, breathing heavily while I maintain my hiding spot behind the trees.
“Stay down and don’t move. I’ll get her for you, okay?”
I nod quickly and after one last look at me, he disappears inside the cabin. Several moments pass where I feel nothing but dread.
I pray to everyone and anyone that’ll listen to me that they both make it out safely.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
RAFAELLE
The cabin is a maze of gunfire and blood. I move through it like a ghost. Room by room. Body by body.
Searching.
Every empty room feels like another punch to the ribs. She's here. She has to be.