Page 15

Evan

As Luca falls to the ground, groaning, I have a momentary jolt of guilt. But that’s a wasted emotion. Luca deserves this. He’s a brutal thug, and despite his words about protecting me, I believe he’ll kill me without blinking an eye if it serves his needs.

It occurs to me I should probably hit him a few more times and finish the job. After all, he’s less of a danger to me if he never wakes up. Yet, as I stare down at him, I can’t do it. His lashes are dark and thick against his cheeks, and his breathing uneven. He looks so vulnerable, it makes my gut ache.

The truth is part of me hates Luca.

But a perverted part of me doesn’t.

I drop the lamp I used to bash him over the head and kneel beside him. His eyes are closed, but I hesitate to touch him in case he’s faking unconsciousness. However, I need his phone so I can call for help. Slowly, I roll him onto his back, and he lets out another soft groan. My stomach churns as I rummage through his pockets until I find his cell phone.

My hands shake so badly I can barely swipe the touch screen. Of course, it’s password-protected, but I’m fairly certain he has facial recognition enabled. I hold the screen close to his face, ignoring the blood smeared on his cheek. The phone unlocks, and I let out a raspy thank you to the universe.

I dial 911 and run to the bedroom door. I hesitate and then slowly open the door. Thankfully, the hall is empty and I slip out of the bedroom. I listen to the phone ringing on the end of the line as I inch down the hallway in the opposite direction of the stairs. If Luca comes to, he’ll expect me to bolt for the front door. But there’s no point in trying that. His armed guards and dogs would be on me before I could get anywhere near the front gate. My only hope is to hide somewhere inside the house, and wait for the cops to show up.

I reach the farthest end of the corridor just as the 911 operator answer. My heart is pounding so loud I can barely hear her as she says, “911, what’s your emergency?”

“I need help. I’ve been kidnapped,” I whisper into the phone, opening a door on my right. The scent of oil paints and turpentine fills my nostrils as I enter the dark room. I see the dim outline of an easel near the window. Apparently someone in the Barone family likes to paint.

“Can I have your name?”

“Evan Riley.” I quietly close the door and press my back against it. “Can you send the police?”

Silence.

Frowning, I glance down and see the call has dropped.

“Shit.”

Will she call me back? Did she even hear anything I said?

Before I can decide what to do next, the phone rings in my hand, nearly making me jump out of my skin. My pulse pounds as I stare at the screen. Emergency Operator.

Heart racing, I answer, “Hello?”

“This is 911 dispatch. We received a call from this number, but the line disconnected. Do you have an emergency?”

“Yes.” My breathing is erratic. I’m terrified that any second Luca will find me and murder me. “I… I need help. I’m being held captive.”

“Take a breath,” the operator says quietly. “Are you safe right now? Or are you in immediate danger?”

“I’m definitely in danger,” I mumble. “If he finds me, he’ll probably kill me. I need to get out of here.”

“Can you give me the address?”

“I don’t know the address.” Sweat beads on my forehead. “I’m at Luca Barone’s home. You must know who that is, right? He’s… he’s in the syndicate. He’s the one holding me. Can you send someone quickly?”

“Luca Barone?” Her tone shifts slightly.

“Yes.” I hear a door slam somewhere in the house and my anxiety ramps. Is that Luca? Is he already searching for me? A chill runs through me when I hear voices in the distance. They’re not directly outside my door, but I feel like they’re getting closer. “They’re coming. You need to hurry.”

I’m going to die .

“Stay on the line,” she says. “We’re working on locating you.”

“So is he,” I whisper, fear shivering through me as the voices grow louder. I thought I’d have more time before they came for me. A feeling of doom descends over me as I realize there’s no way help will arrive in time. Luca will probably have me chopped into little pieces and buried in the garden before the operator even rolls a unit.

I should have killed Luca .

I made a critical misstep taking pity on him. His death would have bought me more time. Nobody would have found him immediately, which would have given the cops more time to arrive. But I fucked up and that will probably cost me my life. Luca was scary enough before I assaulted him. Now he’ll show me no mercy.

Terror ripples through me and I stumble deeper into the dark room, searching for somewhere to hide. The voices are definitely coming closer with every passing minute. There are stacks of canvases, some leaning against the walls. I slip behind one large canvas, praying if they come in the room to look for me they’re not thorough.

“Is someone coming to help me?” I hiss into the phone impatiently.

“We have a unit on the way.” The operator’s voice is strained. “Please stay calm and remain on the line.”

“I’m trying to be calm but I’m running out of time.” I put my hand over the speaker of the phone, and consider turning it off. If Luca’s men come in the room she could give my location away by talking. But knowing she’s on the line gives me a scrap of comfort. Surely he wouldn’t murder me with her on the phone listening, right?

I listen to the thump of footsteps moving through the big house. There are now multiple voices and doors opening and slamming shut. I feel like puking I’m so scared and my thigh muscles burn from holding my crouching position. It goes through my mind to call my brother and father to say goodbye. But I don’t want to get them involved in this mess.

God, what will happen to Mom if I die?

I fucked up really bad. I should have planned better before making a move against Luca. I needed to get a phone somehow, but I didn’t think this through. I panicked when I heard him coming into my room and impulsively attacked him. In hindsight, that was foolish. He’s not going to let this slide. I’m already confused about why Luca kept me alive this long, but attacking him will be the last straw.

The door to the room opens and raw panic swamps me. Sweat streaks down the side of my face as I listen to someone enter the room. My heart is pounding so hard, I feel nauseous. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I hear the person moving slowly around the room, shifting canvases. Their breathing is jagged but the way they search methodical. I’d hoped maybe they’d make a cursory search of the room and leave, but no such luck.

Someone else enters the room, joining the first person. “No sign of him outside,” they say gruffly.

The first person grunts. “Yeah, I know. It’s because he isn’t outside.”

My terror increases as I recognize Luca’s voice. I clench my hands into fists because he’s coming closer. The amount of adrenalin pumping through my veins might kill me. I’m shaking like a jackhammer because there’s nowhere for that jolt of energy to go. My blood pressure is probably high enough to pop my head off and send it to the fucking moon.

In normal circumstances, I don’t back down from a fight. I’m a big guy and I’m strong. But I can’t take on a bunch of guys by myself and I know Luca has an army at his disposal. Not to mention the weapons they have. They don’t even need to fight me. They can just put a bullet in my skull and be done with it.

“You can leave, Matteo.” Luca sounds eerily calm. “And keep the men out.”

“You want me to leave?” Matteo sounds confused.

“Yeah. I want privacy.” His voice is only a few feet from me now. “Evan and I need to have a serious discussion.”

Fuck.

He knows I’m in here.

There’s no point in hiding. Gritting my teeth, I push up onto my feet. I refuse to be crouched down in fear when he reaches me. No fucking way I’m kneeling at Luca’s feet in terror. I’d rather die standing on my own two feet, looking the bastard in the eyes.

While the room is dark, there’s enough moonlight coming through the open curtains that I can see Luca’s face. He’s closer than I even realized. His expression is cold. Emotionless. His eyes glitter like obsidian. The other man still hovers near the door. He’s huge, all muscle and aggressive energy.

He takes a step further into the room, and Luca snaps, “I said get the fuck out, Matteo.”

“But boss—”

“Now,” Luca growls, his eyes pinned on me like a laser.

I’m praying that I’ll hear the sound of sirens in the distance, but all I can really hear is the blood rushing through my head, and Luca’s jagged breathing. Matteo reluctantly leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I jump when the 911 operator says something, but I can’t make out what she said because my hand still covers the speaker. Luca holds out his hand and I stare at him blankly.

“Give me the phone,” he says softly.

“The police are already on their way. I’m on the phone with 911.” My voice is hoarse and I hate that I sound scared. But I suppose he already knows I’m terrified. I don’t live in his violent world and he must know this is like a nightmare to me.

His mouth thins. “Give me my fucking phone, Evan.”

I hesitate and then hold it out to him. What’s the point of resisting? It’ll only make him angrier and he looks angry enough. Besides, 911 already knows the situation.

He grabs it and puts it to his ear. “Thank you. Tell Emilio I owe him one.” He hangs up, tucking his phone into the back pocket of his jeans.

Confused, I hold his icy gaze, and it takes me a second to grasp what just happened, what I just witnessed. Then a chill shivers through me as it sinks in just how screwed I am. No one is coming. There are no police on the way. There never were any cops coming. The woman on the phone was never going to help me. Not the minute she heard who I was calling about. I never had a chance.

Luca’s influence is like a cancer, spreading through every inch of the city. He’s always one step ahead of me. No one will be on my side. I’m not equipped to fight a man like Luca. I don’t know anyone who would be.

He stops a foot from me, and his eyes are so dark it’s like looking into a black hole. I don’t bother making excuses or asking for pity. I’m not going to beg for my life. If this is how it ends, then I’m going to take it like a man.

The smear of blood is still on his cheek, and he’s close enough I can see the side of his head where I hit him is sticky with blood. Good. I’m glad at least I got one hit in before he took me out.

“Are you stupid?” he asks, his voice dripping with malice. “Or just a fool?”

“I’m desperate,” I hiss.

His lips twitch against his teeth like he’s a leopard trying not to snarl. “I’m trying to keep you alive. This is how you repay me?”

My throat is so dry, when I try swallowing, I can’t quite accomplish the task, but manage to rasp, “You think I should be grateful to you for something? Are you joking? I don’t owe you anything, Luca.”

“You owe me your goddamned life , Evan.” He steps forward and grabs hold of the front of my shirt, pushing me up against the wall. His mouth is just inches from mine, and his breath warm. I’m terrified, and angry, and weirdly turned on with his lips almost touching mine. “I’m trying to protect you,” he grates out.

“So you say.” I struggle in his grip, but he holds me against the wall, using his body weight to keep me where he wants me.

“I brought you to my family home to keep you safe.” His voice is cold. “You think I’d do that if I wanted you dead?”

I say through gritted teeth, “I have no idea why you do anything.” I’m not lying either. Luca’s motives are a mystery to me. Trying to predict his behavior is like trying to predict the path of a tornado.

“If I wanted you dead. You’d already be dead.” He shoves me harder against the wall. “And after your little stunt tonight, you deserve to die.”

I push my face closer to his. “You want to kill me, Luca? Huh? Then do it. What the hell are you waiting for?”

The heat of his body against mine is doing weird things to me. I can feel he’s hard, and I’m embarrassed to admit, I’m hard too. We have the weirdest, most twisted dynamic I’ve ever experienced.

“I should just end you,” he growls, grabbing hold of my jaw. “What the fuck is so special about you?” His thumb swipes over my lower lip and his breathing becomes jagged. “Anyone else would be dead already.”

“I just want my life back,” I pant, lust coiling through me. It’s like all this monster has to do is touch me, and I’m useless.

“That life doesn’t exist anymore.” He presses his nose to my cheek, inhaling, and I shiver and instinctively turn my face toward him. I’m not thinking straight, that’s for damn sure. I’m driven by a perverse longing for this man I loathe.

Our mouths brush, and we share harsh, hot breaths for a few moments. I’m so hard it’s painful. His cologne mingles with the scent of dried blood and sweat. We stare into each other’s eyes, and the confusion I feel seems mirrored in his eyes. Am I losing my fucking mind from all the stress? Is that what’s happening here? I feel borderline insane wanting him like I do.

“Just stop fighting me at every step,” he says gruffly. “Please.”

His “please” does something to me. That one plaintive word lets loose a damn of feelings I’ve been holding in since the morning Luca revealed his true nature. The night we spent together imprinted on me in a way that’s unsettling. Even though Luca hasn’t behaved like the man I first met since that night, I see glimpses of that guy. Like now. He’s threatening me with my life, but he’s also tenderly stroking my lip and saying please.

I’m learning a lot of disturbing things about myself since knowing Luca. Apparently I like it when a guy is an asshole. I’d never have thought that was a thing for me, but every time Luca touches me, I want more. It doesn’t seem to matter what he says or does, I still ache for more of him.

I feel his surprise when I take his mouth in a hungry kiss, but he responds, slipping his greedy tongue between my lips. He cups my face, deepening the kiss, rocking his hips against mine. I moan into his mouth, confused and horny for a man who might be part devil.

Goosebumps rise on my skin as one of his hands roams my body, sliding up under my shirt. I moan as his fingers pinch my flat nipples, and press even closer to his hard body. I feel feverish and mindless with lust. Our kisses are almost punishing, but we both seem to enjoy that. Of course we do. We’re both obviously unhinged. A few minutes ago I thought Luca would kill me, now I’m praying he fucks me.

He kicks my feet wider, and his hand drops to his zipper. I suck on his tongue, needing it deeper in my throat. My brain short circuited minutes ago, and I don’t fight him when he also lowers my zipper. I just crave his taste on my tongue, and his musky, masculine scent in my lungs. I want him on me. In me. Luca fever is back with a vengeance.

He pulls his mouth off of mine and whispers, “Want to know how I found you? I could fucking smell you, Evan. You’re mine. You’re not going anywhere. Not until I’ve had my fill.”

My response is a guttural moan. It’s the best I can do because his warm hand is inside my underwear, squeezing my cock. He bites my lower lip, tugging it hard and I rock against his hand. Is this really happening? Am I going to let him take me right here?

Someone opens the door and I pull my mouth from Luca’s. I feel hot, flushed, and dazed with need. I’m also embarrassed that I just had my tongue down my worst nightmare’s throat. Luca turns his head toward the intruder, looking like a rabid wolf.

“I told you to stay the fuck out,” he growls.

“I’m sorry, boss.” It’s the same guy from earlier, Matteo. He hovers near the door, his head down. “We… we got a situation. Luigi just got hit, he’s still breathing, but it was a serious attempt.”

“What?” Luca is suddenly alert and all business. He swears under his breath in Italian and pulls his hand from my pants. “When did this happen?”

“Five minutes ago at Mama Sicily’s Pizzeria.”

Luca lets go of me and I almost slide down the wall because my legs are like Jello. He tucks his shirt in and zips up his pants, recovering way quicker than me. I take the hint and fumble with my zipper, still breathing hard.

Luca leaves me, brushing past Matteo at the doorway. “Take Evan back to his room and cuff him to the bed.”

I scowl and mumble, “What?”

But Luca is already gone and Matteo is moving toward me. The guy’s face is a cold mask as he grabs my arm and heaves me toward the door. I pray he can’t tell my dick is hard. It’s embarrassing enough that I know. I don’t bother fighting Matteo. The guy has no neck. He’s nothing but muscle and a head. There’s no point in pretending I can take him.

He drags me to my room and shoves me down on the bed. Then he does exactly as Luca requested and cuffs one of my wrists to where the headboard meets the bed frame. I glare at him as he straightens and give a rebellious kick, which he easily dodges. He leaves the room without a word.

I lie on the bed breathing hard. I’m angry and confused with my behavior, and mystified by Luca’s. I should be happy I’m still alive, but I feel no sense of relief because the nightmare continues. I’m no closer to going home than I was yesterday. How much longer is Luca going to keep me here? I have a job and friends and family who will be worried about me.

I can’t just disappear.

Or can I?