Page 16 of Depths of Obsession (The Emerald Dagger Mafia #2)

CHAPTER 16

T he beat hits me in the chest as I walk into the club. The neon lights of The Emerald Dagger pierce the darkness like shards of glass, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the crowded dance floor. The thumping bass line of an EDM track pulses through the air, making it difficult for anyone to focus on anything other than the rhythm. Friday night and the club is jumpin’.

As the crowd surges forward in unison, the DJ's hands fly across the console, weaving a sonic tapestry that seems to ebb and flow with the collective energy of the room. Sweat dripped from the brows of the dancers, who lost themselves in the music, their bodies swaying like puppets on strings.

I’d heard of the Emerald Dagger but I had never been. I certainly had no idea that Luca owned it. I might have come in earlier if I had, not that I was big into clubbing. The three of us had left those days behind us in New York. God knew if we went clubbing here, the whole of la famiglia would be talking about it the next day. Nothing happens here without them knowing. It’s like living in a fishbowl.

I look over at the bar. The line is two deep. Behind the bar, the bartender expertly mixes cocktails, her eyes flashing with a knowing glint as she watches the crowd's antics unfold before her. It was obvious she is a seasoned veteran of the club scene. She knows how to get the drinks out fast and who to flash the biggest smiles to. I am sure she makes big money in tips. Maybe I could take up bartending in whatever place we land. Probably not. I wouldn’t last without slugging some asshole who said the wrong thing.

I see a break in the crowd and slide up to the bar. I could use a drink. To my left, a group of friends laugh and joke, their faces illuminated by the glow of their phones as they snapped selfies in front of the bar. They remind me of us. Mia, Luna and me, or at least the way we used to be. Mia has changed. A lot. She seems to believe all that shit about vampires. The blood in the refrigerator notwithstanding, I still can’t wrap my head around it. I wave at the bartender. I could really use a fucking drink. Maybe I’ll order two.

I order my drink and then glance over toward the dance floor. A woman is standing in the middle of the crowd. I see flashes of her. She’s a statuesque blonde with glowing skin. Her hair is tied back in a sleek ponytail, revealing a tattoo of a butterfly on her shoulder. She moves to the music, her hips sway seductively, drawing the attention of every man within a ten-foot radius. She’s flirting with someone, touching his chest, giving him an inviting smile. The crowd parts.

It’s Luca. She’s touching Luca.

The air rushes out of my lungs as blood pounds in my ears. Jealousy is an ugly thing, but I can’t stop it from raging through me. How the hell can he be here flirting with that blonde after what we did last night? I want to go over there and slug her one, break that pretty little nose. She is everything I am not. I grind my teeth.

You told him you didn’t want him to touch you, remember? the voice in my head reminds me. He’s a vampire. A monster. He killed my father and all I can think of is how much I want to kill that woman for even talking to him.

The bartender nudged me as she set the drink down in front of me. I reach out with my credit card but a hand closes over mine. Rocco is standing there. “You don’t pay in here,” he says quietly in my ear.

I nod my thanks and tuck my card into in my clutch. He stands next to me and waits. I cock an eyebrow, and he gestures towards the stairs that are against the wall. I assume Luca’s office is upstairs. I glance over at the dance floor again and the blonde is still there. So is Luca.

The lights flickered and dimmed, casting the club in an eerie gloom. The music screeched to a halt, and the DJ's voice boomed through the speakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Emerald Dagger! Get ready for the main event!"

As one, the crowd turns their attention to the stage, where a mysterious figure stands waiting. Dressed in a black leather jacket and ripped jeans, the person exudes an air of confidence and danger that makes even the most seasoned clubbers take notice.

"Meet tonight's special guest," the DJ announced, his voice dripping with drama. "The infamous rock star, Alessandro Bianchi!"

The crowd erupts into cheers, and Emerald Dagger becomes a vortex of sound and color, swirling with an energy that makes my head spin. The lights flash in rhythm with the throbbing bass, and bodies move as one, a sea of people losing themselves to the music. Bianchi is all the rage these days, and it shows. The crowd is wild; their excitement palpable, and I can't help but be swept up in it. I spot the blonde making her way toward the stage. I look for Luca but he’s still standing in the same spot, unmoved by the chaos around him.

As the crowd surges, Luca looks over, and our gazes lock. My heart skips a beat, but something’s off. My stomach twists as I realize it’s not Luca. It looks like him, but it’s someone else. This guy is leaner, and while his eyes are green, they lack the deep, mesmerizing emerald color of Luca’s. He’s a reasonable facsimile—a copy that doesn’t quite get the original right. A cousin, perhaps? I’ve never heard of any Valdici cousins, but then again, I’m not exactly close with the family.

Rocco gives me a nudge, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I grab my drink. When I turn back, the man is gone—vanished into thin air. I scan the crowd, my heart thudding in my chest, but he’s nowhere to be found. I don’t even see the back of a head receding away from me. Weird. A chill runs down my spine and unease settles in my gut.

I make my way up the stairs to Luca’s office, and a wave of relief crashes over me. It wasn’t Luca with that woman. There’s no reason for me to feel jealous. But now I’m all messed up. I thought I didn’t want Luca, thought I wanted to run. Now, I’m not so sure.

I walk into the office, and Rocco points to the chairs across from Luca. He’s sitting behind his desk, his face illuminated by the light from his computer screen. I go over and take a seat, but Luca doesn’t even glance my way. I shift in my seat, feeling a pang of something I refuse to name. I glance at Rocco, then take a healthy swallow of my drink, trying to steady myself. I give myself a mental shake. It doesn’t matter if Luca acknowledges me. I’m leaving. That’s why I’m here. It will be easier to get lost in the crowd and slip out the door here than at the loft. Luna is packing. She’ll text me when she’s here, and we’ll make a break for it. Royce has his jet on standby.

Luca finally looks up from his screen. His gaze meets mine, then runs down over my body, lingering for a beat too long. I’m wearing a little black dress with a halter-style top that shows my boobs off to great advantage. It hugs the rest of me and stops mid-thigh. I paired it with thigh-high black boots. Luca’s jaw pulses, but he says nothing.

Finally, I break the silence. “I didn’t realize you have cousins here.”

Luca blinks, his brows knitting together. “What are you talking about?”

“The guy downstairs. He’s the spitting image of you. I assumed he’s your cousin. He was talking to some tall blonde.”

Luca is on his feet in an instant, his expression darkening. “Rocco,” he barks, but before I hear anything else, he’s out the door. I stand and walk over to the glass wall, my eyes following Luca and Rocco as they move through the crowd below. They’re searching. My gaze darts around, and there, in the corner—I spot him. He’s with another woman, a brunette this time.

Luca seems to sense my gaze. He looks up at me, and I point toward the corner. He changes direction, heading to the area I indicated. Rocco does the same. The man sees them coming and starts to push his way through the crowd to his left. Luca reaches the corner, looking around. He looks up at me again, and I point toward the stage. He heads that way, Rocco splitting off to the left. They’re trying to come at this guy from both sides, closing in.

I lose sight of the man, my heart pounding as I scan the crowd. There—he’s in the crush of people near the stage, working his way toward the exit. Luca is approaching, but he’s looking too far to the right. I want to bang on the glass, to shout, but I know he won’t hear me over the noise. I just have to wait for Luca to look up. My gaze flicks between Luca and the stranger, anxiety gnawing at me.

Finally, Luca looks up again, and I point toward the hallway by the bathrooms. He changes direction, Rocco taps his earpiece and follows. They push through the crowd with urgency, and my breath catches as Luca’s body goes rigid. He’s seen his double. The stranger glances up, and for a split second, our eyes lock. His gaze narrows, and then he’s gone, disappearing down the hallway. Luca and Rocco follow in pursuit.

My cell goes off, vibrating in my clutch, and I jump. I pull it out. It’s Luna.

I’m here. Across the street in the small alley.

On my way, I type back.

I look out the window, but Luca and Rocco are nowhere in sight. It’s now or never. I toss back the rest of my drink, set the empty glass on Luca’s desk, and head out of the office, praying that no one will stop me. I make my way down the stairs and I’m outside of the club in seconds. No one even glances my way. My heart hammers in my chest as I step onto the sidewalk, scanning for Luna. She said she was across the street.

I wait for a break in the traffic and then dash across. There’s a tiny side street about half a block down. I hurry toward it, rounding the corner, my boots clacking against the pavement. Luna is in the driver’s seat of her BMW, waving and grinning. Relief washes over me, and I wave back, picking up the pace, even though the boots make it difficult.

Suddenly, Luna’s smile freezes, her eyes widening in horror. I turn to see what she’s looking at, but it’s too late.

“Just keep moving,” the stranger says, his voice a low growl. An arm wraps around my waist, and something sharp presses against my ribs. A knife. My stomach plummets.

“Fuck off,” I snarl, trying to pull away, but his grip tightens painfully.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” he hisses, his breath hot against my ear. “I will cut you and leave you for dead.” He’s not like Luca at all. Not up close. He doesn’t have his eyes or his nose and he sure as hell doesn’t have Luca’s lips. It’s like someone put him together to resemble Luca but they’re doing it from memory and haven’t seen Luca in a long while.

We reach Luna’s car, and I try to walk past it, but he jerks me back roughly. “Get in the front seat,” he orders.

“No,” I snap, trying to twist away, but he hauls me back, the knife now against my cheek.

“You fucking try anything else, and I will cut you wide open and leave you to bleed out on the sidewalk. I’ll do the same to your friend.” His eyes are dark, glinting with menace. I glance at Luna. She stares back at me, her hand between her legs, the edge of her phone just visible. She’s calling for help.

“Get in the fucking car!” he barks, his accent thick but I don’t recognize it.?

“Fine,” I grind out, my heart racing as he shakes me. I open the door and slide into the front seat. Luna slams on the gas, but the guy is already in the back seat. The door bangs against the building, then slams shut.

He sits in the back between our seats and grabs my hair, yanking my head back, his knife now at my throat. “You will drive,” he says to Luna, “where I tell you, or I will slit her throat.” He makes a small cut on my cheek. “Just so you know, I’m serious,” he says as blood trickles over my skin.

Luna glances at me, her eyes wide with fear. I give her a small nod, trying to stay calm. Slowly, I reach for my seatbelt and pull it across my body. Luna does the same.

“What are you doing?” the guy snaps, his voice tense.

“The police,” Luna says, nodding toward the cop car parked up ahead. “They could stop us.”

The man says nothing, his eyes flicking to the police car. I glance at Luna. She sits quietly, her face a mask of concentration. The streets are crowded, people everywhere, and traffic is heavy. She navigates the best she can, and then, suddenly, we’re free, speeding away.

Ten blocks down the man growls, “Turn here.” It’s a small cross street. “Go down two blocks and then turn right.”

“Are we getting on the highway?” Luna asks, her voice deceptively calm.

“No,” he snarls.

We drive the two blocks down and make the right. Now we’re running parallel to the highway. The street is a bit wider and there are cars parked on either side. Luna glances at me, her eyes meeting mine. I give her another small nod, and without warning, she slams on the gas. The car lurches forward.

“What are you doing?” he yells, something that sounds like panic creeping into his voice. “Stop!”

Luna doesn’t listen. We’re running out of street fast, but I can see the speedometer climbing. One hundred kilometers per hour. My heart is pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins. I lean toward the window, away from his blade.

“Stop!” he bellows again, his voice frantic.

Luna slams on the brakes. The car fishtails, spinning out of control, and we crash into a parked car. The crunch of metal along with the sound of shattering glass fill the air. The airbags deploy, slamming my head back against the seat. The force of the impact sends the man through the windshield onto the car we just hit.

It takes a second for me to get my bearings. “Luna?” I call. “Luna, are you okay?” I turn toward my friend, impatiently brushing liquid off my face. It’s blood I’m wiping out of my eye. Something must have hit me when we crashed. “Luna?”

“Yeah,” she says, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m okay.” She licks her lips. “But he’s not.”

I follow her gaze. The stranger is on the trunk of the car we hit. His face is all cut up and his right leg and his head rest at odd angles. There’s no way he could be alive after that. No way.

I turn back to Luna. “What are we going to do?”

She shakes her head and then winces. “I don’t know. My car is done. Totaled. Should we call the cops?”

I stare at her. “Maybe.” I pause. “Or we could call an Uber and go to the airport. Royce is still there, right.”

Luna stares at me, blinks and then a slow smile spreads across her face. “I like what you’re thinking. I’m game if you are.”

“Yeah. Let’s just get out of here and call an Uber from a street or two over. No need to draw any more attention to ourselves.”

Luna frowns. “Should we call one-one-two for that guy?”

“No. They’ll send an ambulance, but they’ll send the polizia as well and we’ll be here all night. We’ll never get away. He’s got to be dead and besides, he just held me hostage. I’m in no rush to help him. Thank God Rafe and Tony taught us what to do if we ever get carjacked.”

“I know, right?” Luna shakes her head and then puts her hand on the door handle.

Suddenly the stranger makes a weird gasping noise and sits up. His head tips gruesomely to the side, but then it jerks upright. My mouth drops open. He turns and looks at us. His eyes narrow again and he starts to crawl toward us when he cocks his head and listens. Then he slides off the trunk and takes off down the street, at first dragging one leg and then by the time he hits the corner, using both legs. He disappears from sight.

“Did you see that?” Luna asks, her voice two octaves higher than normal.

My stomach rolls and the urge to puke nearly overwhelms me. It’s true. All of it. Every time I think I can convince myself that the whole vampire thing is a joke, or a prank, or just not real, I’m smacked in the face with reality. Vampires do exist, and that guy was one, or some other magical creature.

“We need to move,” I say. “Let’s just get out of here.”

Luna nods, still staring in the direction where the stranger disappeared. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

I undo the seatbelt that saved my life and reach for the door handle when suddenly the car door is ripped open.