A Bomb for His Beloved

Soon, the family's private doctor completed the autopsy.

Logan announced to his men, "The victim was approximately twenty-two years old. The kidnappers harbored a deep hatred for her; she was tortured before death. Ultimately, she was killed in the explosion."

"Most importantly, at the time of her death, the victim was two months pregnant."

A hush fell over the room as he delivered the report. Torture. Explosion. Two lives lost. Every word was horrifying.

Hearing the result, I was stunned. Then, in disbelief, I looked down at my own stomach.

I... was pregnant? My child... I didn't even know it existed, and it was...

Tears slid silently down my face.

As for Logan, there wasn't a trace of pity on his face. Instead, a cold fury took its place. He slammed the autopsy report on the table.

"A car bomb," his low voice seethed with murderous intent, "in Manhattan. On our turf. This is no longer a simple murder. This is a declaration of war against the Carbone family."

He looked up, his sharp eyes sweeping over everyone present. "I don't care who this woman was. What I care about is who had the balls to do this in my city. This is a humiliation. If we don't respond, there will be a second, and a third. Everyone will think the Carbone family has gone soft."

He stood and walked to a map, his finger pressing down hard on Manhattan.

"Make this top priority," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Use every resource. Find me the rat hiding in the sewers. I want to know who he is, where he breathes, and then, I want him and his entire family to pay a hundred times over for what they did today."

I stared at him and let out a cold laugh. He only ever thought about the family, power, and his goddamn pride. If he found out the victim was me, would he still say such things?

After the autopsy, Logan's expression remained grim. He and Luca crouched in the backyard of the safe house, quietly smoking cigars.

Luca said, "Don, couples fight. Since Ms. Ricci is angry with you, why don't you go a little easier on her?"

Logan just sneered. "Easier on her? She'll only stir up more trouble! Calling me during family business, then threatening me like this? Next time, she'll probably fake her own damn death!"

He had no idea that I really was dead. When he learned the truth, would he regret it?

But I didn't care anymore. Now, I just wanted to leave him forever.

Seeing he couldn't be persuaded, Luca could only sigh.

The family's orders were passed down. Countless informants and lookouts began moving through every neighborhood, asking about missing persons. Luca compiled the intel pouring in from all corners of his base.

After a few days, the stack of lists on his desk had been replaced over and over.

Just then, Logan's phone rang. It was Alessia.

"Logan, when are you coming back? I just went to your place to look for you, but you weren't there."

Logan's face was etched with fatigue from sleepless nights. But as soon as he heard Alessia's voice, he forced a smile. "I'm dealing with some trouble. As soon as it's handled, I'll be right there with you, okay?"

Alessia's voice was sweet and coquettish. "But Logan, I want to watch a horror movie! I'm too scared to watch it without you! You always used to watch with me!"

Logan didn't get angry at her interruption, but instead soothed her patiently. "I promise, as soon as this is over, I'll take a vacation and we'll go on a trip, how about that?"

Alessia asked nonchalantly, "Oh, okay! What kind of trouble are you dealing with?"

Logan replied, "Someone was playing with fire on our turf, planted a bomb. We're investigating who's behind it. We think it was a message for the family."

He chuckled softly, his tone becoming gentle. "Let's not get into the details. You're easily scared. If you heard the specifics, you wouldn't sleep for a week."

I watched this scene, just sneering. How ironic.

He still had the mind to worry about whether Alessia would be scared. Yet he never once spared a thought for where I might be.

He had always been two different people with me and with her.

After hanging up, Logan continued to watch Luca mark up a giant map of New York, which was surrounded by countless handwritten reports and notes.

By midnight, there were no matches. The case was at a standstill.

Logan stared at my corpse and finally said: "Send the victim's description to the men in all the major families. Have them all keep an eye out."