Page 28 of Depths of Obsession (The Emerald Dagger Mafia #2)
CHAPTER 28
L uca and I make our way down the steep, narrow set of stairs to the outer perimeter walkway of the Duomo. The air is heavy with the scent of dust and old stone, the narrow passage dimly lit by a few flickering lights and the stars above. My heart pounds as we descend, every step echoing against the ancient walls. This side is under construction, so the outer wall is blocked by scaffolding, adding to the claustrophobic feel. I keep close to Luca, my fingers brushing against the rough stone of the wall for balance.
“Pippa, I am so, so sorry about dragging you into all of this. It’s all my fault.” Luca’s voice is thick with remorse, and I can hear the pain underlying his words. He’s carrying a weight, one that seems to crush him more with every step we take.
I want to tell him it’s not his fault, that none of this was ever supposed to happen. But before I can say anything, we step through the doorway into the next small section—and my heart stops.
“That’s right, Pippa, it is all his fault.”
Ria Tailor is standing in front of us, her silhouette outlined against the dim light. A knife glints in her right hand, a gun in her left. Her eyes are flinty, filled with malice, and a twisted smile plays on her lips.
Fear washes over me in a suffocating wave. My knees feel weak, and I instinctively step closer to Luca, my fingers curling into his jacket as he steps in front of me, shielding me from her, his broad shoulders tense.
“That’s quite sweet,” Ria says, her voice dripping with mockery. “But it won’t work. I’ll just shoot you enough times that you’ll fall down, and in the time it takes for you to get back up, I’ll kill her.” Her smile widens, eyes glinting with cruel delight.
“How?” Luca’s voice is rough, his eyes narrowing. “How is it possible you’re still alive? You’re not a vampire. You’re not a magickal creature.”
She laughs, the sound chilling and echoing through the narrow space. “I have friends in low places. The magick realm has been kind to me. A…friend took me in after you deserted me and my husband had beaten me half to death, offering me a chance to heal—a chance to make something of myself.” Her gaze hardens, her smile turning vicious. “All I had to do was help him when he required it. It was easy, and in return, he gave me extended life—enough time to plot my revenge.”
“What a waste.” I say lacing my voice with disgust. “If someone gave me longevity, I sure as hell wouldn’t waste it on revenge.”
Luca glances over his shoulder at me, shaking his head slightly, a warning. He doesn’t want me to provoke her. But I can’t stay silent. Not now. Not when I’ve seen Luca fight for me… Bleed for me. I won’t let him sacrifice himself for me—not like this. No matter what Nico thinks of me, I will not let Luca be killed because of me.
“You know, I would live,” I say, my voice trembling but determined. “I mean, really live. You have money and power—you can do whatever you want. Why the hell would you waste that on revenge?” I shake my head, my pulse racing. “That’s just such a rookie move.”
Ria’s cheeks flush with anger, her eyes narrowing to slits. “What would you know about it? What would you know about my life?”
“Nothing,” I admit, taking a shaky breath. “But the way I see it, wasting it on getting revenge on Luca means that he kind of wins again. He wasn’t even playing the game, and you let him win.” I take a step forward, coming even with Luca, my eyes locked on Ria.
“Pippa, what are you doing?” Luca’s voice is barely a whisper, his eyes wide with concern. He grabs my arm, trying to pull me behind him again.
But I can’t let him. I won’t. Lifting my gaze to his, I tell him, “Snowman, yeah?”
If he recognizes the safe word he doesn’t let on. His brow is furrowed, and fear and confusion darken his eyes. If only I could communicate with him telepathically, to let him know I had this. I can only pray at this point.
I refocus on our adversary. “You really screwed up, didn’t you, Ria?” I press on, my voice gaining strength. “You lost him once, and then spent many lifetimes pining away for him. It’s the height of stupidity, if you ask me.”
I take another breath, steadying myself. Calaba had mentioned the walls—how even with the plywood, they could break with one good hit. I pray that he was right. I just need everything to line up perfectly.
“You little bitch,” Ria snarls, her face twisting with rage. She steps forward, raising the gun.
Without hesitation, I turn and slam my high heel into Luca’s knee. He buckles, his eyes widening in shock, and I shove him with all my strength. Off balance, he crashes into the boarded wall, the plywood splintering under his weight. He disappears from sight, falling down to the piazza below.
Ria’s mouth falls open in shock, and then she starts to laugh—an unhinged, hysterical sound that sends chills racing down my spine. “Oh, that was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.” She grins at me, her eyes glinting with something almost like admiration. “You and I could have been friends in another lifetime.”
She tilts her head, giving me a rueful smile. “Unfortunately, my time on earth is done. Even with the magick, my body is failing.” She turns slightly, posing as if for an invisible audience, her chin held high. “I don’t look bad for being over two hundred years old, do I?”
I can’t breathe. My chest feels tight, my heart pounding painfully. Please, God, let Luca be okay . He said vampires can’t die unless they lose their heads. Please don’t let him be decapitated. Please let him be alive.
Ria’s eyes are on me again, her smile fading. “You’re worried. Is he alive, or isn’t he? It’s interesting, isn’t it, how quickly we become accustomed to the idea of immortality.” She steps closer, her expression turning cold. “Ah, well.”
Suddenly, her face twists into a snarl, and before I can react, she lunges. The knife slashes across my shoulder, cutting deep down my chest to my waist. Pain explodes through me, white-hot and blinding. I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out. My knees buckle, and I collapse to the cold stone floor, gasping for air. The world blurs around me, the edges darkening.
Ria stands over me, her face a mask of triumph. “I guess I didn’t need the necklace to do the job after all.” Her laughter echoes in my ears, cruel and victorious, as the world fades to black.