Page 25 of Mafia Love

“What happened, brother? You tell me.”

“Lydia, Henry’s wife. A goon sent a message from Victor to me, letting me know Victor raped her first and made Henry watch. He made him watch that happen to her. Then he cut off her foot and ate it.”

I had to press my lips together to hold in the shock that coursed through me.

Luc had told me what happened to Henry and his family. It was awful, and it made me feel sick, but this …

Claudius looked thrown too, but he released Luc, and understanding washed over his face.

“I can’t let that happen to my girl. It won’t. He would have to kill me first. Cut my head off, and even then, I would come back to protect her.” More tears ran down Luc’s cheek, and his words gripped me.

He was right in what he’d said earlier. They all were. This was above me, and it started with Dad.

It was above all of us because I didn’t think anyone here was used to dealing with a psychotic madman who had the power to mess with a guy like Luc, and from the expression on Claudius’ face, I could tell Victor had reached him too.

“Claudius, you’re a better man than me, but I can’t be helpless, not like this. I can’t let someone I love die. You know what I mean. You’d do the same if it were her, if you could bring her back.”

When Claudius nodded with understanding, I realized there was something they were talking about that I wasn’t privy to.

“One night. Then you come back here.” Claudius held up a finger.

“Claudius—”

“One night, and you come back here with your plan of what you want to do.”

Luc sighed, looked back to me and reached out his hand. “Doll.”

I picked up my purse thinking it was best to take it.

I moved to him, took his hand and looked at Claudius as Luc took me away.

He gave me a curt nod of reassurance that I held on to.

It was one that told me I needed to up my game too and be strong. Somehow, some way, I needed strength.

* * *

I watched Luc chop the vegetables and set them all out on the granite work top.

He’d done an assortment of sweet peppers, red onions, mushrooms, and olives.

He got to work on the dough he’d made earlier for the pizza. It had risen substantially from the yeast he’d placed in it.

“Perfect. That should go well on this.” He slid over a bowl of homemade passata.

I watched him, looking him over, trying to assess his mood.

We hadn’t really spoken since we got here.

Thankfully, but much to his annoyance, Claudius had come back here along with their father, Marcus.

They were on the other side of the house. I guess it was more appropriate to call it a separate wing. It kind of was. So, it was like Luc and I were alone.

“What do you think, goddess? Does it look like we need more basil, or I could add some chili; that would be nice. Let me add chili.”

“I don’t want chili.” It did sound nice, but I wanted us to talk.

He’d been on autopilot the whole time and had me sitting here just watching him.