Devotion (Mafia Ties #3) by Fiona Davenport Page A

find unless you knew where it was, and once I felt it, I pressed it and felt the rush of air that accompanied the wall beside me sliding open.
    “Niccolo!” My mother burst into the room making a beeline for us as I stepped to the opening. She wrapped her arms around us and Sophia, whose cries had quieted, began to sob once more, breaking my heart with every tear.
    The wall revealed one last door and I punched another code before putting my eye to a scanner, and at last, the door unlocked. I transferred Sophia to my mother’s arms. I loathed to let her go, but was aware it was the best thing for the time being. Opening the door, I stepped into a room that closely resembled a studio apartment. I’d had panic rooms like this built into each of my warehouses and office buildings, as well as one in my home. They locked securely from the inside, the keypad and eye scanner becoming useless until the inner security was turned off.
    My eyes met my mother’s and she nodded, silently communicating her understanding of what I needed.
    “We’ll be right here when you find her, Niccolo. Now go. Save your love.”
    “Antonio or I will call when we have news.” I kissed their cheeks, my lips lingering on Sophia’s tear-streaked face, whispering how much I loved her.
    “Don’t go, Daddy,” she begged and it shattered the last remaining pieces of my broken heart.
    “I’ve got to go get Gianna, preziosa.” I swallowed hard before speaking one last time. “I’ll bring back your mommy, Sophia. I promise, baby girl.”
    I waited outside until I heard the security system click the locks into place, then pressed the button to close the wall, and dashed back to my office, my fingers furiously typing a text on the way. I pressed send as I entered the room, seeing Devon on his phone, barking at whoever was on the other side.
    Walking to the wall safe behind my desk, I opened it and took out my gun, checking to make sure it was loaded. Then I grabbed a shoulder holster and slipped it on, securing the weapon into it. The message had been an alert for my men to rally and get ready for a fight. They filtered in, some coming straight to my office and others arming themselves before joining us.
    “Enzo called,” Antonio informed me as he entered the room. “It seems Devon’s contact located Darby. They’re bringing him in now.”
    “The men hiding him?” I asked, my jaw clenching in fury.
    “Dead,” he deadpanned.
    I nodded in satisfaction. Any motherfuckers willing to align themselves with that weasel didn’t deserve to continue breathing. “Take him to the back,” I instructed a couple of my guys. Turning to Devon, who was no longer on his call, I barked, “Get two of your guys to keep patrols around this section of the building. My mother and daughter are in a panic room, but I don’t want anyone getting close enough to even test its security.” He nodded and began to exit. “Devon,” I called and he halted, looking back at me. “Brecken is my friend and someone I highly respect. Those are the only reasons you are still alive. If anything else happens to my family, or my fiancée is harmed, those reasons will no longer keep you from my wrath. Is that clear?” There was no denying the truth in my words, and I knew he could see it in my steely gaze. I would stop at nothing to protect my family. Nothing.
    He studied me for a moment, but I couldn’t read anything in his expression. Then he said simply, “Yes, sir,” and left the room.
    “Nic.” I looked to Antonio when he said my name, seeing his grim face as he finished listening to what one of my guys was whispering in his ear. His eyes met mine and like the angel of death, he said, “Darby’s here.” There was no doubt I’d be sending his ass straight to hell after I beat the location of my Gianna out of him.

Chapter 2
Anna
    W aking up to find myself lying on a stone cold floor, my arms tied in front of my body and the black hood still over my head, I was