Robbie's POV
I reached home about fifteen minutes later. On the way, I called Tanya. Predictably, Tony hadn't told her anything, which meant she was utterly blindsided. The panic and fear in her voice were immediate. I could even hear her parents shouting questions in the background as she gasped and broke down. That only made my own fear worse. I managed to calm myself just enough to tell her what I needed. She agreed to help before hanging up, voice still shaking.
The moment my villa came into view, I steeled myself.
Before anything happens to Tony or Twen, I have to get to the bottom of this.
The cab stopped. I shoved some cash into the driver's hand without asking the fare, grabbed my suitcase, and got out. The driver looked at me, at the villa, and at the bills in his hand like he was watching a movie. I didn't care.
I punched in the gate code. The gate clicked open, and I rushed through, the gate swinging shut behind me with a heavy clang. I sprinted across the porch, scanned by fingerprint and eyes, and slammed the front door open.
The maid jumped, visibly startled. She stared at me like I was a ghost. I didn't have time to exchange pleasantries. I had not been here for days, so it was normal that she was shocked. She reached for my suitcase, but I brushed past her, heading straight for the stairs, up the left corridor, and toward Dad's study.
That's when a hand caught my shoulder.
"Mum?" I stopped dead.
She stood there, gripping my arm like a lifeline. Her eyes were red-rimmed, heavy with dread.
"Robbie… Twen? Did you find him?" she asked, voice trembling.
I shook my head slowly. My voice came out low and rough. "No. But I will."
"Oh, the poor child," she whispered, covering her mouth with both hands.
"I will find him. I swear to God," I said, gripping her shoulder, trying to sound stronger than I felt.
She nodded, placing her hand over mine. "I asked Alice to tap your father's and Roger's phones, and track all his underlings. Nothing solid yet." Her voice cracked. "He's in the study, alone."
I blinked at her, stunned.
Mum had actually gone that far? I'd only asked her to keep an eye on him, not spy on the whole goddamn operation.
Everything was unraveling at a pace I couldn't control. And it was dragging everyone I loved into the depths with it.
"Are... are you sure it's your dad?" she asked quietly, looking down.
I gripped her hand gently. "I wish I wasn't. I'm sorry. I know it's hard to accept. But the evidence points to him."
She looked up at me. Her eyes were glassy, her expression unreadable.
I swallowed hard and said, "I know the truth about you and Dad. I know why you stayed."
She stiffened. "Y-you knew?"
I nodded. "I was right in the middle of it. Of course, I noticed. I saw you trying so hard to make it feel like a family… even when it was cold and hollow. You endured it for me. I'm sorry you had to."
I pulled her into a hug. She melted into me, crying softly. Pulling back, she whispered, "How do you know it's him?"
"The car that took Twen was caught on traffic cams. It stopped here, at this villa. I haven't confirmed all of it yet, but who else would do this? Who else has the power to pull that off? Who else would want me away from Tony and Twen?"
She went quiet, her face hidden beneath her hair.
"Why didn't Tony come with you?" she asked quietly. "Didn't you tell him what you suspected?"
I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. My mouth struggled to form the words.
"He's… he's gone too," I said at last. "Tony's been kidnapped."
Mum staggered back. "What? No—no, that can't be! Ricardo never left, nor Rogers, nor his underlings. Your father couldn't have—"
"We don't know anything until we interrogate him," I interrupted, gripping her arms. "I'm going to him now."
"I'm coming too," she said, and before I could object, she was already heading toward the study.
I followed. We entered together.
Dad was at his desk, surrounded by papers, wearing his glasses; a rare sight. He looked up slowly. His eyes scanned the two of us.
"Well, to what do I owe this… sudden familial warmth?" he said dryly, not even trying to hide the sarcasm.
"Where are they, Dad?" I asked, cutting straight to it.
"Where are who?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Don't play dumb. Where are Tony and Twen?"
His eyes sharpened. He closed the file with a sharp snap. "Watch your tone," he snapped. "I'm your father. Not your errand boy."
I stepped forward, fists clenched. "Where are they?"
His face didn't change. "How the hell would I know where your bastard son and that omega are?"