Page 94 of His Son's Ex

The heartbreak’s real because I thought he might be the man I could finally trust. Until I saw that damned footage.

My father was gunned down, possibly on Dante’s orders, or at least with his knowledge. Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions and it’s all a misunderstanding, but how can I bet my life, mychild’slife on that?

The baby gives a small flutter, a gentle reminder I’m not alone in this body anymore. I press a hand to my belly, swallowing the knot in my throat.We’ll figure it out,I mentally promise. But how?

A knock sounds at the apartment’s old wooden door and my heart jumps. If it’s just a package, the mailman usually buzzes and walks away. Dante wouldn’t knock politely—he’d bust in with an army or something equally dramatic.

Who the hell could it be?

I creep to the peephole.

It’s Luca, of all people.

My pulse thunders as I experience half panic, half annoyance, but I’m not about to cower in the bathroom.Face it, Eva. You’ve handled scarier than Luca.Gritting my teeth, I hesitantly unlock the door and pull it open an inch, chain still on.

He lifts his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Hey. I’m not here to fight.”

“No, you’re just creeping around my friend’s apartment building.” I glare at him. “How’d you find me and what do you want?”

He huffs out a breath. “I saw you slip away that night and I put two and two together. Figured Halsey might be your safe harbor. I staked out the block, saw you duck in the back. Listen, I just want to talk.”

I roll my eyes. “So talk.”

He glances around the dingy hallway like it’s beneath him, then looks back at me. “You gonna let me in?”

I lean against the door frame, crossing my arms. “Luca, to be perfectly honest, I don’t I trust you.”

He clenches his jaw, frustration clear. “Five minutes, please. I’m unarmed and alone. I swear.”

I study him for a moment—disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes. He looks miserable, nothing like the smug jerk I remember. With a sigh, I slide the chain free and open the door wide enough for him to enter. “Fine, but keep your hands visible.”

He steps inside, glancing around at Halsey’s cramped living room. “So this is where you’ve been hiding.”

I shut the door. “Hiding is a strong word. More like regrouping.”

Luca nods, shuffling his feet. “Sure. Regrouping. Right.” He gives me a doubtful look then fishes a slip of paper out of his pocket, offering it to me. I eye it suspiciously.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“Address and phone number of a guy who can hook you up with a new ID, new name, legit documents. If you’re planning on skipping town, you’ll need it. But there’s a catch—it has to happen tonight.”

I stare at him. “Why?”

“Because if you vanish, Dad names me sole heir to the Bellacino empire. Which means I get what I want, and you get away from us for good. It’s a win-win.”

My stomach flips. At least he’s honest about it.“You sure you don’t have some other angle?”

He shrugs, a hollow laugh escaping. “Thatisthe angle. You and my dad clearly share something special. If you were to disappear for good, that changes everything for me.”

A bitter taste coats my tongue. He wants me out of the picture so he can ensure there is no competition for his inheritance, no other heir for Dante to award the title of becoming the next boss. He knows he doesn’t have what it takes. But ironically, we do have the same short-term goal: me getting out of the Bellacino orbit.

“Wow,” I say softly, “you never learned how to be subtle, did you?”

He barks a sardonic laugh. “Subtlety is for people who can afford it. You and me? We’re nothing but pawns in this messed-up game. At least I’m giving you an out.” He shifts closer, a hint of the old Luca swagger returning. “Eva, I won’t lie. I always thought we had something unique. If you’d just?—”

“Don’t,” I snap, stepping back. My blood pressure spikes. “That ship sailed. Actually, it never left the harbor. Let’s not pretend.”

His jaw tightens. “I’m just saying, my father isn’t the only Bellacino you can turn to. Just because you’d be leaving town doesn’t mean we can’t stay in touch.”