Page 25 of Depths of Obsession (The Emerald Dagger Mafia #2)

CHAPTER 25

“ T hanks for keeping me company, Carl. Not sure why Mr. Calaba brought me up here early.” I offered the man seated next to me a smile.

“Pippa, darling, you look gorgeous. None of those fuddy duddies downstairs can even compare to you. He wanted the world to see you on his arm. Take it as a compliment, darling. Although…” Carl leans closer, “he is a bit imposing, isn’t he? Shh,” he puts his finger to his lips. “Don’t tell.” He winks.

Suppressing a shudder, I shake my head. Carl is nothing if not amusing. “But why hold the auction up here?” I ask. “It’s a bit cold for this type of thing.” I shiver and wrap the fur stole a bit tighter around me.

“Well,” Carl leans in again, “several of the guests did not like the idea of not being able to bring their security in and the fact that they were not allowed to be armed. So, Calaba agreed to hold it outdoors so security personnel could keep it all under surveillance.” I glance up at the building across the way. Carl laughs. “Yes, that’s right. We’re being watched right now.”

“Wonderful. Why does that not make me feel better?”

Carl glances around. “I know just what you mean.” He gives a small shudder. “Darling, let me take your mind off things. Guess what Calaba is auctioning off? No, not just the necklace because I know you heard about the Queen’s Heart. But he’s also got a few other goodies. They are divine! He brought me in to verify their authenticity. Darling, they are magnificent. I cannot wait for you to see them.” He claps his hands like a giddy schoolgirl.

“Now you have me intrigued.” What the hell else could Calaba have up his sleeve? I’m almost afraid to find out.

The sound of voices reaches me. I turn in my chair and see Marcello with Ria Tailor on his arm. He sees me and narrows his eyes suspiciously.

The feeling is mutual, buddy . Ria glances in my direction but her face is a mask of indifference.

More people filter onto the flat section that Calaba had built. I recognize some but not many. This is a different level of client to the ones that enter Marcello’s gallery. I crane my neck but I still don’t see Luca. What if they didn’t let him in? Panic seizes me and my heart stutters.

As if summoned by magic, Luca and Nico emerge onto the roof, I let out a long sigh of relief.

Carl has left to chat with the guests and Luca slides onto his chair. “Are you okay?” he asks as he reaches out to hold my hand. “I am so sorry I couldn’t come get you. Calaba has almost as many security guards as there are guests,” he growls.

Nico sits down behind us. “Congratulations,” he all but whispers.

I give him a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?” Nico asks.

I look at him. “You mean besides the fact that we’re attending a private auction on the roof of the Duomo?” I shake my head. “No, other than that, it’s all normal.”

Nico grins. “I like her,” he says to Luca.

“What my brother means, is have you noticed anything that gives any clue to what we’re all doing up here? Why the hell hold the auction on the roof? It’s cold. All the stoles and mulled wine are not going to keep people warm for long.”

“I do know the answer to that one,” I say, and I repeat what Carl told me.

Nico and Luca both fall silent like they’re listening to something. Is this another vampire thing?

Luca catches my eye and says, “Rocco.”

I frown and then suddenly I get it. Rocco is telling them something. They must be wearing earbuds. Damn, I wish I had one.

“He was just confirming what you told us. He and his brothers have discovered the security guards in the buildings around us.”

“It freaks me out a bit,” I admit.

“Did Calaba say anything in particular to you?” Luca asks me.

I shake my head. “He brought me up and we walked around the outside edge of the Duomo while he told me all about the construction and refurbishment of the walls. Apparently the outside walls of the Duomo are falling apart. He gave me a history lesson about the place and then talked about art for a few minutes. Then he just left me here. It was strange.”

I shiver again. Luca moves to put his arm around me, but Nico stops him. “We don’t know what’s going on. Better not to show how close you two are.”

Luca grimaces. “I’m afraid he’s right. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him, but in reality, it’s not so fine. Or at least I’m not so fine. I really want him to put his arm around me and lead me out of here.”

“Mulled wine?” Nico offers.

“Sure,” I say.

Nico hits Luca on the arm. “Go get some for both of us.”

Luca sends a dark look to his brother but gets up and heads toward the makeshift bar.

Nico taps me on the arm. “I need you to do me a favor.”

“Um…sure,” I say but my stomach knots.

“Luca is madly in love with you and will do whatever it takes to keep you safe including screwing this whole thing up. Now, I don’t particularly care about Gazzago, and his kids are his own problem. My guess is he entered into a deal with whoever is behind this and then try to screw them and that’s why they took his kids, so I’m not entirely sympathetic. But we do need to know who is trying to frame Luca. He was arrested today for something he would never do. His reputation will take a hit. He’s worked his ass off to build up his business not to mention support Renzo and the family in ours. Please don’t let him sacrifice it all to save you.”

I stare at Nico. “I?—"

Luca hands me the mulled wine and then takes a seat next to me. I’m dumbstruck. The fact that Nico is asking me to not let Luca do anything stupid to save me just blows my mind. My blood begins a slow boil.

I would never want to hurt Luca. Never . I don’t want him to do anything that would damage what he’s built. I know all too well how hard it is to get out from underneath in a family like his. The fact that Nico thinks I would willingly let Luca sacrifice himself in any way for me pisses me off to no end. I glance back at him and give him a cold nod. Message received, asshole. There was no need to send it .