In the past few days, the search for McKenzie felt like an endless torment for him and Yellows, as they tirelessly scoured the streets. Despite reaching out to Eddie, his messages remained unanswered, adding to his growing concern.
When he woke up that morning, Leslie wasn't there. She left him a note stating she had gone to meet a work client. After telling him how she felt and he had shut her down she had pulled away from him, only speaking when necessary. But, his focus wasn't on her, he had more pressing things on his mind, like McKenzie and Jasmine.
Yellows had only arrived a few moments ago at his apartment with Gallows standing guard in his usual spot by the window. Dwayne ran a frustrated hand over his face as he sat across from him. Richard had sworn to get Olivia out of Matteo's brothel, and he trusted him with his life. At least they knew where Olivia was. But McKenzie and Jasmine? They were a complete mystery.
"What's our next move?" Dwayne asked.
He glanced at Yellows. His bruises had faded and the bandage was gone now, revealing the "A" carved into his left cheek.
"I'll put out a bigger reward. We can't afford to give up. I can't go after Alejandro until they are found." Frustration laced Yellows' voice.
"What if Alejandro has them and that's why we can't find them?" Dwayne's stomach churned at the thought.
"He doesn't have them, if he did I'd be notified," Yellows confirmed. "What about Richard? Any updates from him?"
"He's working on getting Olivia out. If he had any information on Zee and Jazzy, he would've reached out."
"Are you sure you can trust him?" Yellows lifted an eyebrow.
"I've known Richard more than half my life, and he's never given me a reason not to trust him. So yeah, I trust him," Dwayne stated.
A nagging feeling at the back of his mind hinted that there might be more to this conversation than Yellows was letting on.
"Is there something you think I should be aware of?" Dwayne added, lifting a brow.
Yellows' expression remained blank. Just then, Dwayne's phone rang, it was Mr. Bertarelli. Over the past few days, he had prioritized McKenzie and Jasmine over Matteo's case. He guessed Mr. Bertarelli was calling to find out how far he reached in the case. Deciding to return the call later, Dwayne ended it, but Mr. Bertarelli persisted, calling again.
"Don't you think you should get that?" Yellows asked.
"It's my boss. I'll call him back later."
"Calling to find out about Matteo's case no doubt."
"How did you know I was working on Matteo's case?" Dwayne asked.
"I have my ways," Yellows smirked.
Dwayne felt a mix of annoyance and concern that Yellows was keeping tabs on him. But his thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed with a message from Mr. Bertarelli.
Dwayne,
We had an incident at the office. A young lady by the name of Kiara Tanner came looking for you. She claimed that you are her father. Things escalated and she was picked up by the police. Or I thought it was the police. Call me, now!
"Fuck!" Dwayne muttered under his breath.
"Anything I should be worried about?" Yellows asked.
Dwayne struggled to process what he had just read. Was it truly his daughter who had visited the office? Why had she come looking for him? And if it wasn't the police who took her away, then who did?
Anxiety, fear, and worry knotted in his stomach. What if it was Alejandro or even Matteo who had taken her?
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Dwayne contemplated confiding in Yellows about Kiara. After all, she was McKenzie's daughter, and he couldn't shake the thought that Yellows might have insights or connections that could help.
"I've got a problem, or rather, we've got a problem. Another one." Dwayne inhaled deeply.
Yellows stared at him in silence, nodding his head prompting Dwayne to continue.
"Mr. Bertarelli just texted me. He said my daughter visited the office, and things escalated, leading to her being taken away."
"I didn't know you had a daughter," Yellows responded, eyes widening.
"Neither did I," Dwayne admitted, a shadow crossing his face. "Not until I found her picture among Zee's things a few weeks ago."
Yellows' gaze sharpened and he sat up straighter. "Why would your daughter's picture be among Kitten's things?"
Dwayne sighed, memories flooding back. "Zee and I were a thing in high school. Right before graduation, she told me she was pregnant."
"So if she told you she was pregnant, how are you just finding out you have a daughter?" Yellows' voice was cold.
"I got a full scholarship to study and I left the country. I didn't know she had kept the pregnancy." Dwayne tried to keep the regret out of his voice.
Dwayne left out the more painful details of his past with McKenzie. But, Yellows knowing that he and McKenzie once loved each other and had a child together gave him a twisted sense of triumph.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Yellows shifted gears. "So, you said she was taken away. Why? What happened? Did the police take her?"
"Mr. Beratelli thought it was, but apparently it wasn't. I have to call him to find out what really happened," Dwayne explained. "But with everything going on, I'm starting to wonder if it was Alejandro or Matteo's men who took her away in disguise."
"But do you really think it's her? Why would she suddenly reach out to you? What if it's a trap to lure you out, or even Kitten?" Yellows voiced his concerns.
Honestly, that wasn't something Dwayne had considered. Dwayne felt as though his thoughts were scrambled as he struggled to think straight.
His daughter. Was it really her?
"It's a risk I'm willing to take. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself," Dwayne declared, grabbing his car keys from the coffee table and rising to his feet. "I've gotta go."
"Let me go with you. After all, she is Kitten's daughter, and I'll do anything to help," Yellows offered.
"As much as I appreciate the help, I'll do this alone. Focus on finding Zee and Jazzy," Dwayne insisted.
"Fine, but let me know what you find out," Yellows said as he also rose to his feet.
Dwayne nodded, and the three of them left the apartment.
Yellows and Gallows hopped into their car, while Dwayne jumped into his truck and sped out of the parking lot, dialling Mr. Bertarelli's number as he went.
Mr. Bertarelli answered on the second ring.
"Sir, where are you?" Dwayne asked.
"I'm at home."
"I'm on my way to you, but please tell me what happened."
Dwayne listened intently as Mr. Bertarelli recounted the encounter with Kiara at the office while swerving through the traffic. His heart jolted when Mr. Bertarelli reached the part about Kiara attacking one guard with a knife, breaking the arm of another, and how Mr. Bertarelli had followed the people who had taken her. He had expected them to head to a police station, but when one of the cars suddenly stopped and spiked strips were thrown onto the road to stop Mr. Bertarelli from following them, Dwayne began to fear for Kiara's life.
With his heart thumping, Dwayne asked Mr. Beratelli, "Do you really believe she's my daughter? Or do you think that someone is pulling my leg?" Dread coiled around his stomach at him, fearing the answer he might receive.
"The only way to know for sure is by a DNA test, but Dwayne, she bears a striking resemblance to you. And if I must say, she has your confidence and mannerisms," Mr. Bertarelli stated.
Dwayne remembered the picture in his nightstand draw, recalling how much Kiara had looked like him. Mr. Bertarelli's answer gave him hope that she really was his daughter.
However, it also made him realize that this was the worst possible time for her to enter his life, especially with his ongoing case with Matteo and Alejandro trying to find her mother and sister, and him trying to find Olivia.
"Sir, I'll be there shortly. I'm about ten minutes away," Dwayne said.
"Sure thing," Mr. Bertarelli replied before hanging up.
Dwayne then called Richard. After three tries, Richard finally answered.
"Richie, you've been scarce. Where have you been?" Dwayne asked, relieved to have finally reached him.
"D, I've got some bad news," Richard's strained voice came through the phone.