Chapter 68
Then a video came through.
Julian.
The text read:
Your bulldog strayed. About to be neutered.
Luca opened the video.
Marco and Valentina were on their knees, wrists zip-tied, faces bloodied. Valentina’s dark hair was tangled, her eyes blazing even as fear flickered beneath. Marco was bruised, split lip swollen, but still managed to lift his chin. Julian stood behind them, elegant as a devil, gun resting casually against Marco’s head.
Luca inhaled slowly. His eyes narrowed, all warmth draining out. This was the Luca his enemies feared.
He dialed Julian’s number.
His brother picked up on the first ring.
“Marco is my lieutenant. My second in command.” He stood tall in the center of the office. “If he strayed, it is my duty to punish him. Not yours.” His lip curled. “You hurt one hair on his head, Julian, and I will damn every single one of Genovese rules. I will unmake everything Father pretends is sacred.” He paused, letting the threat breathe. “I will make your death so painful your mother will cry from her grave. Carry on with the exchange. Father needs those schematics. And bring Marco to me p>
He ended the call without waiting for a response.
Vee was frozen where she sat, skin drained of color, lips parted. He crossed over to her until he was looming over her, hands braced on either side of the chair.
“Did you know?” he asked quietly.
“Know what?” Vee whispered.
“Did you know Marco was planning to help your sister escape?” His eyes burned, a molten blue edged with betrayal.
Vee swallowed and nodded, just barely.
“That’s why you came here,” Luca said, straightening slowly. “You didn’t come to check on me. You didn’t come because you missed me.” He shook his head once. “You came for information p>
“What was I supposed to do?” she shot back. “Sit pretty and do nothing? She’s my sister, Luca. I needed to know she is okay p>
He picked up his phone, and without a word, pressed play.
Vee gasped.
Her hand flew to her mouth. A broken sound escaped her. “No… no, no, no p>
“Please, Luca. You cannot hurt Marco. You cannot. Please. He was only trying to help her. He didn’t betray you. He did it because he has a heart p>
“Marco knows the risk of straying,” he said evenly. “He accepted it. He chose it.” His eyes flicked toward the phone still glowing on the desk, Julian’s face frozen mid-frame.
“At least,” Vee shot back, tears blazing now, “he is a better man than you p>
“I never called myself a good man!” Luca thundered. “If you’re looking for good, you came to the wrong devil p>
“Luca,” she cried, breaking fully now, her pride shattering at his feet, “don’t give my sister to Bastardi. Please. Don’t do this.” Her knees trembled as she dropped to the floor. “Surely there must be a way out. There’s always a way out. Find one p>
“Go home,” he said simply.
“No!” Vee shouted, fury and terror tangling together. She moved fast, arms wrapping around his legs, face pressed against his thigh. “I’m not leaving.” Her grip tightened. “Please, Luca. Please… please… for the love of God p>
“Enough!” he roared. “I already have it handled! Let’s just hope Marco’s little stunt doesn’t put a wrench in my plans p>
Vee collapsed where she knelt, strength finally abandoning her. Her body folded sideways, shoulders shaking, sobs tearing out of her.
“You always want something from me,” Luca said. He turned away from her. “Always beg me for something.” He reached the bar, poured whiskey into two glasses with a steady hand that betrayed nothing. “Don’t kill Cassidy. Save my sister. Don’t hurt Marco.” He scoffed softly. “And still, I am the monster p>
He stared into the liquid, reflection fractured, distorted.
He dropped both glasses onto the desk with a sharp crack of crystal against wood. Then he was on her, hauling her up by the arms. “Stop it,” he ordered.
Her body shuddered, breath hitching, tears streaking down her face as she struggled to rein herself in. Luca’s eyes bored into hers.
“It’s time you learned loyalty,” he continued, jaw tight, thumb digging into her arm just enough to hurt. “You do not keep anything from me. Ever. Do you hear me? It doesn’t matter what it is. A plan. A secret. A doubt. You do not keep it from me p>
Vee nodded quickly, hair falling into her face, eyes glassy and red. Her throat worked, but no sound came.
“I need to hear you say it,” he commanded, leaning closer. “Say it p>
“I’ll not keep anything from you,” she whispered.
“I’ll do anything for you,” he said. “Don’t you see that yet? Don’t you know that yet? I bend rules for you I would break men for p>
Her fingers clenched in his shirt. “You’ll keep her safe?” she asked, barely breathing.
“Trust me,” he replied, and in his world, that was a blood oath.
She broke then, wrapping her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry I give you a hard time. I’m sorry p>
He didn’t tell her to stop this time. He held her, one arm wrapped firmly around her back, the other steadying her head against him. He let her cry into his shirt. Human tissue, he thought grimly.
When her sobs dulled into shaky breaths, he gently eased her back, fingers brushing her cheek. He picked up one of the glasses and pressed it into her hand. “Drink. It will keep you calm p>
She took a cautious sip. “Can I stay until you get word?” she asked quietly, eyes searching his face again.
“Yes,” he said after a beat. “But then you go home and wait to be punished.” His gaze sharpened slightly. “You and Marco both p>
His phone buzzed once more. Luca glanced at the screen and his jaw tightened.
’Exchange made.’ Julian.
Luca didn’t reply. Instead, he immediately typed out a single word to Reese.
’Now p>
“What’s going on?” Vee asked, watching his face.