Chapter 1

Marcus

Sitting in my office I fantasize about Leandro's face when he finds out that his youngest daughter has married his enemy. A half smile escapes me that I can't hide. I would pay half my fortune without hesitation.

I call Mia's phone a few times. It has it turned off. It infuriates me that I cannot contact her and I decide that, as soon as she comes to live here with me tomorrow, whether her father likes it or not, I will have to teach her how she should behave and how she should be available in case I call or need her at any time.

I have a small army of men ready for tomorrow in case Leandro decides to make things difficult. He has to understand that his sweet little daughter is now Mía and he no longer paints anything.

A few knocks on the door break the train of thought.

- Come in - I say without looking up from the documents that I haven't even read.

Dante, my henchman and bodyguard enters. He has been by my side all his life. We understand each other without having to explain at all times what I want, which is what usually happens with newbies. Sometimes I have to control myself so as not to put a bullet between their eyebrows.

- Sir - he says approaching.

I frown.

- What happen? - has a clenched jaw and clenched fists on both sides of his body. Few things can make Dante tense.

- There are rumors - hesitates. Something very bad had to happen.

- Let go of it and fuck it, what the hell happened? - It's getting on my fucking nerves.

- Our informant at the Carusso mansion just called - he put a smile on my face.

I was waiting for the first information on how things had gone. If Dante is like this, it is because he must have been tremendous. I rub my hands enjoying the moment.

- and? - I urge you to continue.

- He says that .... Well, Mia has disappeared and that she left a farewell letter in her room - she ends up lowering her voice until it becomes a whisper.

That stupid girl has tried to escape from me. Months of being in the dark, taking stupid selfies with faces that I had not made even as a child. Speaking of love shit and hearts for me to try to hit it now that it's officially Mía.

- Find her and bring her immediately - I raise my voice more than necessary.

- Sir ... - he clears his throat searching for the right words - it was a suicide letter in which he said goodbye.

I place my palms on the table. I would never have thought that Mía was one of those who gave up, unless when I left her at home something will happen that escapes me. I stare at Dante, unable to assimilate the information. It just can't be. She cannot die.

I lower my voice and narrow my eyes.

- What the hell are you all waiting to go out and look for her? - Threat.

He nods once and walks diligently out of the office. We will be on time. I'm convinced, I'm going to find her and get that stupid idea out of her head. Would you rather die than be by my side? Love cannot disappear overnight and she is madly in love with me. When I proposed to her, barely meeting us, she was very emotional.

Hours go by and I don't have a fucking call telling me something. I pour myself a Scotch whiskey, its aroma of honey, fruits and vanilla hooked me from the first day.

Finally my phone rings.

- Tell me - I demand.

Dante answers the line on the other end with the same hesitation and the same shit as before. If it weren't my right hand, I'd strangle him.

- They ... They found his car in Venice.

- if her car is there she must not drive far. Find her the fucking time - I'm getting less and less patience.

- His car is sunk in one of the canals.

I don't know if it says something else or not. Nor can I believe that I was late, I am never late. Never, and still, something tells me that once they take the car out of the depths of the canal, I am not going to like what I am going to see.

Only now, at this moment, I am aware of the extent to which it can affect me not having her by my side, not seeing her smile or her fingers trying to tickle me again, it is not possible not to feel her naked body under Mía again.

- I want you to bring me any recording, image or audio from when he left his fucking house until he got there.

I hang up before I hear some shit like "Yes sir" Fuck you all.

The waiting has turned into hell. I go to my table and throw all the papers on the floor hitting them furiously, how could he do that? Commit suicide? A new sensation is born within me. A fist clenches my stomach, preventing me from being able to breathe normally. I bend down and put my hands on my head. I don't remember ever feeling this kind of despair, I've always had what I wanted, no matter how difficult it was, if I wanted it, it was Mía.

The first rays of the sun begin to enter through the window. I have not been able to sleep an eye and I cannot go and find out myself because if his brother or his father is there, we could start with the shots and the only thing that matters to me right now is that Mía appears.

My cell phone rings again, notifying me of a message. I unlock the mobile and enlarge the image that Dante has sent me. It's Mía's shirt, soaked and thrown on the floor. On his left sleeve he has a dark stain that could be anything, but I know perfectly well that it is a fucking blood stain, I have seen it too many times not to recognize it. Next to the shirt there is a shoe, a blue ballerina, the same one she was wearing the day I left her at her house.

The weight on my shoulders increases in such a way that it is impossible for me to stand. My Angel is gone and it is my fault. It's all my damn fault. If hell really exists, I will be delighted to occupy a privileged place, I deserve nothing else.

I call Dante.

- Do you have any pictures? Something? - I want to show my authority, but I only get a whisper. Reality is hitting me with all its might.

- Yes, boss - Dante was fond of Mia, I guess because she looked like his sister. I can also feel the dejection in your voice - I'm reaching out with them.

As soon as it arrives, we don't talk or exchange any orders or shit like that. Put two discs on the table. Prepare the computer and put the first one. They are images of the entrance to the Carusso mansion. Rewind to the point that interests us. Mia walks out the front door. I surprise myself by approaching the screen and placing my finger on her cheek. His arm is bloody and he looks around in fear. What the fuck did they do to him? While she suffered, I was enjoying the moment like the son of a bitch that I am. It is mounted in the car and starts it, the image remains empty only showing an entry in which there is no longer anything.

Dante takes out the disc, puts in the next one without saying anything. Is it that he has already seen them and knows something that I don't?

A gas station appears on the screen. We do the same operation again, we rewind until Mia's car appears. She gets out of the car walking slowly, she looks so sad and dull that if I had a heart I would have to tear it away for having been the cause of my angel's suffering.

Another car stops at the pump in front. Two young and over-spirited boys look at Mia as she pours the gasoline. I want to kill them for daring to look at what is Mía. They whisper something and go over to her.

I frown and press my fingers on the wood of the table. As those bastards have done something to him, I'm going to kill them and their families.

- Hello beautiful - says the bravest of the two - do you want to come with us to a party?

Mia turns and for a fraction of a second they stare at them without reacting. Quickly compose himself.

- Sorry - answer would be. Without changing the expression on his face - I have something important to do.

The boys stand still. I'm sure you guys felt the same chill listening to it that I did. His voice devoid of feelings, surrendered, muffled, and it's my fault.

I had been waiting for years to see Leandro sunk, but I have only destroyed the most beautiful thing I had ever known, my sweet and tender Mía, hair of fire and the greenest eyes I had ever seen in my life. It is gone and it will never be.

When the feeling of loss hits my chest I throw the computer off the table, grab the side of the table and lift it, tipping it to the side. I need to destroy, it's what I do best.

- Get out, Dante! - I yell out of control - GET THE FUCK OUT!