My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 342

Chapter 342: Gone

Julius dropped onto the couch, a few paper bags still tucked under his arms. He let his head fall back against the cushion and stared at the ceiling.

"Damn it," he muttered. "I was so close to catching that crime boss."

He clicked his tongue, bitterness settling in his chest. His eyes drifted shut until he heard the front door unlock. He opened them and tilted his head.

Walking in was a woman with short black hair tied loosely at the back, a few strands falling freely along the sides of her face.

Alyssa. Julius’s wife.

She dropped onto the couch beside him without a word. And just like him, she slumped back in exhaustion.

"Eli." That was the first thing out of her mouth. "Where is he?"

Julius grunted. "At your parents’ house."

"Again?" A thread of exhaustion ran through her voice. "Did something happen?"

"Got a tip," he muttered. "Came to nothing."

"I see."

"What about you?" he asked, eyes still closed. "You didn’t come home until now. You missed the school’s foundation week."

Alyssa sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "I know. I feel terrible about it."

"Something happened at work?"

"Not exactly." She exhaled. "It’s just — they’ve started using babies and young children as carriers."

His brows drew together. He opened his eyes and turned to her. "What?"

"I know it’s not new, but cases of child abduction and trafficking have been rising sharply," she said, the words heavy with exhaustion. "Out of ten cases I’ve provided support on recently, seven involved children."

Alyssa sat up and faced him. "Can you look into it?"

"Ali, you know —"

"I know it’s outside your jurisdiction. I know your priority is Dominion, Jul." She exhaled. "But this is serious. This is the first time I’ve had to handle this many cases at once, and nearly half of them are children."

Worry surfaced in her eyes. "We have a son," she said quietly. "I can’t stop thinking about Eli. These people don’t just take stray children — they actively target anyone alone." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Julius studied his wife for a long moment, then nodded. Alyssa almost never asked him for favors, especially where work was concerned. At home, they had an unspoken rule: work stayed outside.

"Fine," he said. "I’ll look into it."

Alyssa smiled. "Thank you. Should we go pick up Eli?"

"God." Julius sank back into the cushions. "Later. Let me sleep first. I haven’t had a single wink — spent the whole time turning hospitals and clinics upside down trying to find the Black Dragon."

Alyssa yawned and let her eyes close. "Same. Let’s get him later. I need to sleep."

It didn’t take long for both of them to drift off, their exhaustion finally catching up.

*****

Meanwhile, Elliot held his grandfather’s hand.

"Wait, Eli — Grandpa just needs to pay," said the short, stout old man, pulling out his wallet.

Elliot smiled, watching his grandfather carefully count out the coins for the toys and snacks he had bought him. While he waited, Elliot turned his head and blinked.

[Dominion New Neighborhood]

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify