Chapter 19: The Search Begins

*Dante*

I scanned the crowded gala, searching the sea of elegantly dressed guests for Layla's familiar face. My eyes narrowed as unease crept in. She should be here, mingling and charming everyone like only she could. It wasn't like her to simply disappear from an event this important to my work. 

As I turned to look for Sophia and ask if she had seen Layla, my cousin Frank approached, his expression grave. "Boss, you need to come see this," he said in a low voice, motioning for me to follow him into the hallway.

Nicolo stood by the bathroom door at the end of the corridor. It hung open, light spilling out onto the plush carpet. As I got closer, the metallic tang of blood hit me. 

"Boss..." Frank murmured, his expression grim.

The opulent space was utterly destroyed–stall doors ripped off their hinges, towels and debris scattered everywhere. But it was the dark streaks and pools of crimson on the tile floor that made my blood run cold.