CHAPTER 84: SHE’S MISSING

Evelyn stared at Valerio who was slowly approaching her.

"But it was never meant to be funny," Valerio said. "I used an entire year to become a perfect man worthy of you, a man in your league, just for you to reject me now? I planned this nice date and you came dressed so casually like you didn’t even want to be here. As if you were forced to be here. That’s...humiliating Evelyn."

Her chest was pounding as she watched him, slipping her phone behind her thigh to hide it.

She’d already brought out Zayne’s contact and all she needed to do was call—

[Evelyn?]

Zayne’s voice sounded on the other side of the phone.

She crossed gazes with Valerio whose face had turned murderous. He stormed towards her and that prompted her to scream into the phone. "Zayne!"

"ZAYNE! Help me—"

Valerio smacked the phone out of her hand. "You fucking bitch!" He stomped hard on it, over and over again, until the phone broke.

He looked at her, grabbed her by the hair so suddenly, Evelyn began screaming, in pain.

"Let go of me! Valerio, let go. That hurts—"

He shoved her hard against one of the tables and it took her everything to steady herself, enough that she didn’t get hurt, but only a hit to her side.

She turned and pressed against the table, staring at him with her chest rising and falling in nothing but pure fear.

Why had she come to this? Her instincts had been screaming not to accept his invitation. She hadn’t wanted to at all. But Amber’s persuasion made her think getting it over and done with was for the best.

Her voice cracked. "V-valerio, please stop. P-please stop this."

"You want to leave me for him. Wait, no, you want to choose him over me." Valerio stormed over to her and snatched her by the throat. "What is it? Do you love him?"

Evelyn grabbed at his wrists. "L-let go of me!"

"Fuck, you’re not denying it. Don’t tell me you’re actually in love with Zayne Mancini." He burst into laughter, hollering like a maniac. "Wow, Evelyn, wow. Was he just that good? Enough to make you get over me in just a year. Ah...you’re even betrothed to him."

"Let...go." She could barely breathe.

"You know what. This is all pointless," he said. "This entire situation is simple."

He brought his face close to hers, whispering with that tone that sent hair rising chills down her arms. "If I can’t have you...no one can."

His hand came off her throat, but then he snatched her arm and began to drag her out of the restaurant.

"Let go! Let go of me! HELP!"

Evelyn tried to fight him, knowing that she couldn’t let him take her. But then a cold metal pressed into the back of her head and she froze.

Valerio who. was in front of her slowly turned and smiled, saying, "It’s best you keep quiet Evelyn, or my men will put that bullet through your head. Don’t worry though, I won’t hurt you and I don’t plan to. But you have to stop making such a fuss, or else, I might end up not having a choice."

They left the restaurant, but before he could get her into the restaurant, Evelyn screamed as loudly as she could, knowing this was her only chance. Somebody was sure to hear, anyone at all who could help her.

Something hard however came down on the nape of her neck so suddenly, she didn’t even have time to register a thing before she felt herself losing consciousness.

No, no, please not now.

I can’t lose my consciousness, not right now.

But her body betrayed her and she collapsed, unsure who exactly she ended up in his arms.

Of course, it was Valerio.

He lifted her into his arms, his gaze lowered to her face. "You are beautiful, Evelyn. But you are a stubborn woman."

"Get the car ready," he ordered his men.

While they did, he slipped Evelyn into the back seat of the car, shut the door, and proceeded to get in to drive off.

———

Zayne drove into Alessio’s compound, parking the car by the side. He hopped down and following him was Amber who was freaking out.

She was as pale as a ghost, looking panicked and breathing as if she was going to hyperventilate any moment soon.

"What have I done...?"

She’d been repeating this question to herself for the past twenty-five minutes throughout the entire ride.

"W-what have I do—"

"Enough!" Zayne snapped over at her. "I don’t need to hear you asking that question. Not now."

He stormed off to the door, but it was locked. In pure frustration, he began to ring the doorbell rapidly, until Alessio had to force himself downstairs.

Alessio yanked the door open, pausing at the sight of him. His face twisted into a frown. "What the hell are you doing at my hou—-"

Zayne shoved him aside and stepped into the house.

Amber moved to follow him in, Alessio stopped her. "Uh...who are you?"

"She’s friends with Evelyn. Let her in."

Zayne sounded irritated and Alessio of course didn’t fail to notice that. As soon as. Amber stepped in and he shut the door, he spun to stare at Zayne.

"What is going on?"

Zayne was pacing back and forth.

And for the first time, Alessio was seeing Panic in his brother’s eyes.

"Evelyn," Zayne swallowed. "She’s missing."

"Huh?"

Alessio was confused.

"But I gave you her location—"

Amber spoke this time around, sobbing. "It’s my fault. She came to stay with me because she was hurt by everything going on with Mr. Mancini. I suggested she meet with Valerio because I thought it would be good for her, but now..."

Her body was trembling, face was a teary mess.

"He has her, Alessio, and I need you to find the location. I need to find that bastard, because I intend to kill him slowly."

The sort of murderous intent brewing from Zayne made Alessio swallow and he quickly nodded, rushing over to get his computer.