Page 9 of Depths of Obsession (The Emerald Dagger Mafia #2)

CHAPTER 9

“ I want to see my daughter!” Danillo Dominici’s voice echoes through the apartment as soon as he steps off the freight elevator. His face is flushed, anger radiates off him hotter than the sun.

“You need to change your tone,” Luca says, as he steps in front of my father, his voice cold and dangerously calm. He stands firm, his muscles coiled, ready to act.

Nico glances over at me, one eyebrow raised in question as if to say, what gives ?

I give him a tight shrug, as tension vibrates through me. Nico turns to Luca, and then his expression changes, almost like Luca sent him a silent message. Nico’s face goes blank, but his rising anger is immediate, palpable. I can sense it. My anxiety ratchets up, my pulse escalating so fast I swear it misses several beats. Luna’s small hand slips into mine, her fingers trembling slightly, her grip tight. She’s scared too.

I glance at Luca as I slide off the stool. My breath catches as I swear I see… are those fangs? Was he baring his teeth at my father? A surge of unease mixes with the fear already churning inside me. I clear my throat and say, “Papa, I’m right here. How did you find me?”

“The app on Luna’s phone. Her father keeps track of her, the way I should be keeping track of you,” he says, jabbing a finger at me as he steps forward, his tone dripping with accusation.

Luna blanches, her face going pale. “My father is tracking my phone? For fuck’s sake.”

“Watch your mouth,” my father snarls, his eyes narrowing at her.

Luca steps directly in front of him, his posture protective, intimidating. “Good advice. You should take it.” Menace drips off his tone.

“ Stronzo ! Get out of my way. Why is my daughter here, eh? She needs to be home with me and her mother. Pippa, get your things. Andiamo! We’re leaving,” Danillo yells over Luca’s shoulder at me.

I get dizzy as blood drains from my head. My heart is thundering and feels like it might explode, and I’m sure the scent of fear is clinging to me and Luna. My father’s rage is terrifying, but Luca’s presence keeps me steady, keeps me from crumbling.

“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Luca growls, his voice low and full of danger.

Nico places a hand on Luca’s arm, as if trying to ease the tension. “Let’s all take a seat,” he suggests, pointing to the dining table over by the window. I wonder if his effort to de-escalate the situation will work.

“I don’t need to sit down!” Papa snaps, starting to move around Luca, but Luca shifts his weight, blocking him from advancing. My father’s face twists with fury. “What the fuck? Get the fuck out of my way!”

Papa attempts to push Luca, but Luca doesn’t budge. He is unmovable, a rock standing fast against a flood. Nico puts his hand on Luca’s shoulder, and slowly, Luca steps aside, his gaze locking onto mine. I’m scared, terrified even, but what choice do I have? I have to stand up to my father.

“Pippa, prendi le tue cose, ce ne andiamo. Ora !” Danillo yells as he towers over me. He’s not a tall man, but he’s thick and imposing. His face looks battered and broken, like he was a prizefighter at one time. The red around his nose and cheeks tells the world he’s a drinker, and I know he’s a gambler too.

“I’m not going with you.” I force my voice to stay steady, making it as firm as I can. “I will not marry Tommy Gazzago. I had nothing to do with his cousin’s death. We owe him nothing.”

Papa’s jaw works, his face contorting with anger as he stares at me. “Gazzago has pictures of you with blood?—”

“I checked for a pulse and slipped in Edoardo Gazzago’s blood. Marcello took that picture to blackmail me into helping him. I did nothing wrong, Papa. I will not be forced into this marriage.”

“Gazzago will ruin our name. He has proof.”

I shake my head, my voice steady. “He has a picture. Not proof. I did not kill Edoardo.”

“If the polizia see that picture…if they find out, you will go to prison.”

“Gazzago took the body with him. The cops aren’t going to find... it.” My voice falters as I stare at my father. My gut churns with dread. “Is Gazzago threatening to go to the polizia ?”

Papa glances at me and then at Luca. “He’s... he says he won’t, but…” he gives a small shrug. “I cannot take that chance, angioletta .”

He’s using my childhood nickname, as if he cares about me. “Bullshit.” I hurl the word at him, my voice filled with venom. I know he’s lying; he always hesitates when he lies. “You’re just making excuses. Gazzago won’t go to the cops. It would bring trouble down on his own head.”

Papa’s face flushes an angry red. “Pippa, get your things.” He reaches out and grabs my arm, his fingers digging painfully into my skin.

I rip my arm out of his grasp, my voice trembling but defiant. “I’m not going with you.”

“Phillipa!” he barks, his voice echoing through the room. “This is the chance to clean the stain of your uncle’s betrayal from our family name. You will do what I say.”

“No!” I yell, backing up, my body trembling. “This is your chance to get back in the game, to work for Gazzago so you have influence again. You can’t stand not being respected the way you used to be. You can’t stand being a has-been. It’s too much for your fragile ego! You need the money.”

My father’s face turns an alarming shade of puce. He brings his hand back, and I brace for the impact I know is coming, but Luca moves in, catching my father’s arm mid-swing. “Leave now,” Luca says, his voice low, deadly, as he pushes my father backward toward the elevator.

“Get the fuck out of my way! She is my daughter, and she will do as I say!”

“No, she won’t.” Luca’s voice is steel. “Pippa will not be sold off to please your ego.”

“ Stronzo ! You have no say here. No say! Phillipa, ora !”

“No!” I step forward, pushing Luca aside. My voice trembles, but my resolve is solid. “You only want me to marry him so you can make money and pay off your gambling debts. You want to be a big man again. Well, too fucking bad. You’re not doing it on my back. I am not your possession. I am your daughter, but given the circumstances, I don’t think I’m even that anymore.”

Papa freezes, his eyes frosting, his face twisting with hatred. “You little puttana . I give you everything, and you throw it in my face. I am your father. You respect me, or I will cut you off. Leave you with nothing! Niente !”

A bark of laughter rips from my lips, bitter and raw. “That’s rich. You have nothing left, Papa. There’s nothing for you to give me. You’ve gambled it all away. You sold the summer house. I bet you’ve even mortgaged the house you and Mama live in, haven’t you?”

Papa’s face turns gray, his eyes widening.

My stomach cramps, my heart sinking. “You have, haven’t you? Go ahead, fucking cut me off, and while you’re at it, cut Mom off too. She’d be better off without you!”

Papa brings his hand back again, but Luca grabs it, twisting his arm as he spins him around, pushing him toward the elevator. He shoves my father inside, his expression ice-cold. “Take this fucking garbage out,” he snarls.

Nico steps into the elevator beside my father. “Gladly.” His voice is cold, and he stares at my father, who is reaching behind him. “You pull out that gun, and I can guarantee it will be the last thing you ever do.” Luca’s voice is calm, but my knees weaken. If my father pulls out a gun, I think I might collapse right here.

Papa glares at me, then at Luca and Nico. “ Stronzo ,” he spits. “You think you’re untouchable. You’re not. No one is. You will pay.” He turns to look directly at me, his eyes dark with malice. “You are dead to me. You will all pay.” He pulls down the elevator door and hits the button, and the elevator slowly descends, taking him away.

My knees give way, and Luna catches me and guides me back to the stool. “Are you okay?” she asks, her voice gentle, her eyes full of concern.

I shake my head, releasing a tear which has prickled my eyes. “He’s crazy,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

“I’m so sorry,” Luna says, squeezing my hand.

Luca’s arms are crossed over his chest, and he is still and silent as he stares at me. His rage is palpable, bouncing off the walls, but he says nothing.

“Maybe some tea?” Luna suggests, glancing at Luca, her voice shaky.

He stares at her, raising an eyebrow. Apparently, making tea isn’t something he does. It doesn’t matter. I’m not sure I could even get it down right now. Luca turns abruptly, striding over to the opposite corner of the room. He returns a moment later with a large glass of bourbon in his hand. “Drink this.”

Blinking away the lingering tears, I take a large swallow, the liquid burning its way down my throat, warming me from the inside. I put the glass down as the heat settles in my belly, but it does nothing to ease the ache in my chest. There are no words that can fix this moment. My father just showed himself to be an uncaring piece of shit, and there’s nothing—no drink, no conversation—that’s going to change that.

Luca’s cell phone buzzes. “What?” he snaps, his voice curt. Then silence, followed by a muttered curse. “Fucking hell. I’m on my way.” He ends the call and shoves his phone back into his pocket. He turns to me, his eyes still stormy. “I have to go to my club.”

Panic rises in my throat, making it hard to breathe. I can’t be alone. “W-what if my father comes back?” I stammer, my voice breaking.

“He won’t, but I’ll have Rocco send over several men to keep you safe.” Luca grabs my chin, forcing my gaze up to his. His eyes bore into mine, intense and unwavering. “I promised to keep you safe, little one. You must have faith in me.” He drops a quick kiss on my forehead, then turns and disappears down the stairwell.

I stare at Luna, my heart still racing, my mind still spinning.

She stares back, her eyes wide. “Are you and Luca a thing?” she asks, her voice hesitant.

I shake my head, my voice barely a whisper. “Luca is just keeping me safe.”

“Are you sure about that?” Doubt laces Luna’s question.

I dismiss her question with a wave of my hand. There’s no point in telling her that I wish we were lovers. It doesn’t matter. I rub my face, exhaustion starting to weigh me down. “I just can’t believe this is all happening.” I reach over to squeeze Luna’s hand. “I’m ready to go if you are. Let’s just take off. Be free. I can’t deal with this anymore. My father is willing to pimp me out to save himself. And my mother, she... Oh my God, my mother. He’s going to hurt her.” I leap to my feet, rocking the stool as I push away from it. My heart pounds like a timpani. “Luna, I need to get to her before he does.”

Luna frowns, worry clouding her expression. “Do you really think so? I mean, I know he’s angry, but you think he’ll drive all the way to Genoa and hurt your mom?”

“He’s out of control, and he will definitely hurt her. I told you, when I confronted him before about his gambling he hit me. He also beat up my mother because he said she had no control over me. It was bad, Luna. He broke her ribs. I begged her to get help, but she refused. She’s the only reason I’ve stayed. I can’t let him hurt her like that again. I have to go.”

“What about what Luca said?”

I shrug. “What about it? He’s not here. It would take too long to get him on board, and I can tell you he would never let me come with him. He’s been told by Renzo and Mia to keep me safe, so that’s what he’s doing. I need to keep my mother safe.” I grab my phone and dial my mother’s number, but it goes straight to voice mail. “Damn.”

“Call Mia. Let her help,” Luna suggests. “They can send someone over to your mom’s.”

“I will, but I have to do it from the road. I’m wasting too much time here. My mother is in danger.” From my fucking father. I move over to the wall of monitors, opening drawers frantically until I find a set of Porsche keys. I have no idea which one it is, but I’ll take it. I try my mother’s cell again but still no answer. “Where the hell are you?”

Luna stands up, her face etched with concern. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

I nod, determination settling in my chest. “It’s only a few hours to Genoa but my father has a head start. I’ll go, and I’ll call Mia and my mom on the way. Do me a favor and call your dad. See if he can get mine to calm down. Ask him to reach out to Aldo. Maybe Mia’s dad can calm him down.”

“What about Renzo’s security guys?” Luna asks.

“Mia will fill them in.”

I run down the hallway, grabbing my purse. I try my mother’s number again, but it still goes straight to voice mail. What the hell can she be doing? There’s no way my father is there yet. She’s probably out in the garden and left her phone inside. I’ll keep trying her on the drive.

Luna reaches out, grabbing my arm. Her eyes are wide, pleading. “Be very careful, okay?”

“I will. I don’t have a choice. I can’t let him take all his anger out on her.”

Luna nods, then pulls me into a tight hug. “Just promise you’ll call Mia for help.”

“I will,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. Then I turn and head for the stairwell, taking the stairs two at a time. When I reach the bottom, I see the SUV in front of me. I press the button on the fob, and the vehicle chirps in response. Thank God. I jump in, adjust the seat, and pull out onto the road.

I call my mother again, but no answer. My heart is pounding, panic clawing at my chest. I take a corner faster than I should, cursing as I nearly clip another car. I hit the button on my phone, calling Mia, but her phone goes straight to voice mail. She’s probably in a meeting—she always seems to be in meetings these days.

I hit the gas as I merge onto the highway, moving into the left lane. Whatever speeding fines Luca gets, I’ll deal with them later. I’m not slowing down. I know, deep in my bones, that my father has lost his mind. He’s dropped over the edge, and if I can’t get to my mother before he does, he will kill her—and it will be my fault.

I send up a prayer as I push harder on the gas pedal. I will not let that happen.

The drive is taking longer than I thought possible. I’m worried my father will get there before I do. I still haven’t been able to reach Mia or my mother. I have no idea what I will find when I get there but I have no choice. I try Mia and my mother one last time. Neither picks up.

Finally, I come to my parent’s driveway. I stop and park on the side of the road. I’m afraid if I drive up my father will see me coming. The fact that I am terrified of my father is not lost on me. He’s a cold-blooded killer and I do not want to face him alone but what choice do I have?

I can't stop the tremors racing through my body, and my chest feels like it’s collapsing inward. I can’t even create enough spit to swallow my fear. I lean over and check the glove compartment. Nothing. I had been hoping for a gun. I check under the seat as well. Nothing. Shit. Damn. Fuck . Why couldn’t Luca be like the rest of the mobsters I know and keep an extra gun in his vehicle? I let out a breath and then get out of the truck.

The house looms ahead, its silhouette framed by the dying light of dusk as I navigate the winding gravel driveway. The cypress trees lining the path seem to stretch endlessly, their shadows lengthening across the gravel like silent sentinels. As a child, I loved those trees. Now they just seem ominous.

The villa is hidden deep within these rolling hills, shielded from view by acres of countryside that feel more like a fortress than a sanctuary. As I round the curve, the house comes fully into view, a massive, three-story structure of aged stone that exudes power and secrecy. The terracotta roof, weathered by time, sits against the deep greens of the hills, while ivy twists along the walls. The tall arched windows, shrouded by iron bars, seem less elegant now, more like barriers. The scent of the ocean fills my lungs as I try to breathe deeply.

I move swiftly to the front door. I try the handle. It’s unlocked. I push the door open and walk in almost tripping over a body. I bite down so I don’t scream. It’s Rafe, Mia’s old bodyguard. He is sprawled on the floor, a gaping bullet hole in his chest. Mia will be crushed. Rafe had been her bodyguard since we were little. I have no idea why he was here. Did Luna’s father call and ask him to come over? There’s a good possibility. He knew Rafe well because Rafe used to watch out for me and Luna as well as Mia when we were with her, which was all the time.

I hyperventilate until I finally step back and lean against the door to keep myself upright. I know I should check for a pulse but there’s blood. A lot of blood. Rafe didn’t die right away because the pool of blood is large. Last time I checked for a pulse, I ended up in shit so deep I might never emerge from it. My blood pounds in my ears. I have to find my mother. I move around Rafe and take the stairs two at a time. I want to call out, but my mouth is dry and I can’t make a sound.

At the top of the stairs I turn left and head towards my parents’ bedroom. I push open the door and see my mother. She is lying on the bed, unmoving. “Mama?” I say, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. I cross the room to her. She has been badly beaten. There’s blood spatter on the sheets, the wall, and the ceiling. Her face is a mess, nose broken, both eyes are starting to swell along with her lips. Her jaw is at a funny angle, so I know it’s broken. Her clothing is ripped.

“Mama?” I say again. I lean over and touch her face. She lets out a small moan. “Oh Mama, what has he done to you?” I grab the throw off the bottom of the bed and cover my mother with it. Then I pull out my phone. “Mama, I’m getting help. You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you.”

“Pippa?” she mumbles. “Pippa…get out…he’s crazy,” she breathes.

“I know, Mama. I’m going to get both of us out of here.”

“Pippa…go,” she says.

“I will, Mama. We’re both going to go.” I unlock my phone screen. Mia has to be out of her meetings by now. Or maybe I should call Luca. He will come help me. It’s his job. I hit the button to dial his number and suddenly the phone is yanked from my hand.

My father stands over me, gun in one hand, my phone in the other. “You aren’t calling anyone. You’re just as bad as she is. Disgracing the family name. Puttana . You will pay for your disobedience.”