"Claudia?" Her name comes out as a whisper. I don't even deserve to utter her name.
"She's quite taken with you, isn't she?" He remarks, almost ironically.
I've conditioned myself to not think about her. How could I when I've failed both her and her mother?
When Catalina had confirmed her age, I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. That incident had resulted in a life—a lovely little girl that looked exactly like Lina but had my personality. While getting to know her, I'd noticed her logical mind and the way she approached problems, not unlike me. For the first time, the evidence of what I'd done was staring me in the face. And for the first time, I didn't find it in myself to regret it, because that meant regretting the beautiful girl I'd come to love so much. That makes me even more of a hypocrite, doesn't it?
"She'll hate me too." I add quietly, knowing I can never claim her as my daughter.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Vlad stands up, straightening his suit. As he pulls on his sleeves, I catch a glimpse of his tattoos. I've always wondered why his entire body is covered in ink.
"You've never told me what those mean." I point at the designs, trying to change the subject. It's already too painful as it is.
"And I won't." He smirks at me. "Wouldn't want the mystery to go away." He shrugs and turns to leave.
I stay a while longer, lost in prayers. By the time I get home, it's already dark outside.
Amelia is the first to greet me.
"Signor Lastra, someone is here for you." She motions to the drawing room and I gave her a small nod. I don't even get to step foot inside the drawing room that Enzo comes blazing at me and punches me straight in the face.
"What..." I momentarily lose my balance. But it's enough for him to pin me to the floor and continue pummeling away.
"Where the fuck is she, Lastra? Where did you hide her?" He keeps yelling, and I still.
What is he talking about?
My hand shoots out and I stop his incoming fist. I push back and using my entire strength, I shove him off me.
"What are you talking about?" I ask, spitting blood. He'd done some damage alright.
"Catalina. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm saying. Where did you hide her? I know she must be here somewhere." He then yells. "Lina? Where are you? I'm here to take you home!"
"Catalina isn't here. Obviously." I add drily, going to the table and taking a napkin. I dab at my mouth, noting he split my lip. I move my mandible a little, pleased the teeth don't feel loose.
"Where is she?" He turns towards me, his face full of worry.
"You should know, since she went to your home."
"She's not there. Claudia is still at home, but there's no sign of Lina."
I'm suddenly alert. Catalina would never leave Claudia alone.
"What are you talking about? Where could she be?" My pulse starts racing.
"Don't you dare act innocent, Lastra? You're the only one who could have taken it, you sick bastard. Didn't you do enough already? Didn't you hurt her enough? Just let her go."
"Look, Enzo." I put my hand up. "Catalina is not here. I swear. But if she's missing..."
"You actually want me to believe that? When you were so obsessed with her, you fucking raped her and then married her with no remorse? What kind of sick fuck does that?" He spits out, and I take it. Because he's not wrong.
"What is he talking about?" Assisi decides to grace us with her presence at that precise moment.
"Oh, Assisi. Did you know that your brother here is Claudia's father? Not only did he rape and torture Lina, but he left her to face the consequences by herself."
Sisi's face falls, and she looks at me in horror.
"Is that true?" Her voice is almost a whisper. I turn my head, shame filling me.
"Lord! It is true." She exclaims, her hand going to her mouth.
"And now Lina's missing. And your brother should know exactly where she is." Enzo adds smugly.
"I don't. I swear I have no idea where she is." I pause, immediately realizing that if she's not with Enzo...
"No..." I whisper. "No, it can't be..."
"What?" Enzo asks abrasively.
"Chimera." The words are out of my mouth.
But if she's missing... Lord, please let nothing happen to her.
"You mean you?" Enzo laughs derisively.
Then I remember what Vlad said, that they think I was behind everything.
"No, damn it. Not me. Look, I don't profess to be innocent. I know what I did to Lina, and it's not something I'll ever forgive myself. But this Chimera isn't me. Someone's been impersonating Chimera to torment me."
"Convenient, isn't it?" He snorts.
"I swear I had nothing to do with it. I love Lina too. I wouldn't be able to hurt her."
"Right, you already did."
"Damn it! Listen, Enzo, if Lina is missing then we need to focus on that."
"Lina can't be here." Assisi finally intervenes, giving me a look that conveys just how disappointed she's in me. "I've been watching Marcello closely for the past week. He had an incident." She pauses. "He's under supervision so he won't take his life."
Enzo's eyes widen, and he turns to me, opening his mouth to say something. But he doesn't.
"You're sure it isn't him?" He eventually asks Assisi.
"Positive." She takes a deep breath. "We need to find her, Enzo." Her tone has a slight desperation to it, and then she looks at me. "Marcello. Please."
"I'll give you my word, Agosti. I'll find her. Even if it's the last thing I do." I say solemnly.
"You'd better. Because if anything happens to Lina..." He shakes his head. "I'll kill you."
"And I'll let you." Because how could I live with myself thinking I'd failed her again?
I'VE BEEN PACING MY study for the last hour like a madman. After Enzo had left, I'd submitted a comprehensive list of people for Adrian to test. It's still going to take time... Time we may not have, damn it. The fingerprint technician has to go through each print and manually match it to the one on record.
Fucking hell!
I don't even want to consider that something might have happened to Lina. According to Enzo, the entire video feed at his home had been off when Lina had gone missing. I'd suggested an inside job, because really, who else would have had access to his house? But Enzo had refused to believe someone from his circle would have sold his sister out.
I feel close to a mental break-down. Who could have done this?
"Signor," Amelia knocks on my door and comes inside.
"Someone left this for you." I nod absentmindedly and prompt her to leave the package on the desk.
After she's gone, I'm still lost in thought, my mind playing tricks on me and showing me all possible scenarios, all of them ending with Lina dead.
No!
I need to focus. I can't allow myself to go down the rabbit hole.
Dear God, why? Why her?
My prayers are ineffective, not that they've ever been.