ONE WEEK LATER
“Boss, we’ve had word there’s been a hit on one of our containers down at the docks.” Grayson’s voice booms through the loudspeaker, and I clench my fists and stare down at my phone that’s resting on my glass coffee table.
“For fuck’s sake. Who the fuck is it this time?” We have drugs and guns arriving. Either one would be a huge loss.
“I’ve sent some of our recruits down there now. I’ll have more information in a second.”
Maria’s heels click along the marble hallway, and I groan. She’s the last person I need here right now.
The past week I’ve been walking on the edge. I can’t get through to Rosa. She’s missed her appointment with Dr. Jenkins, and it’s driving me crazy.
I’ve waited outside her and Eva’s house on multiple occasions and she’s never there.
“Luca, we have some exciting mail!” she announces. I lift my head up to see her waving a small piece of paper at me with a devious smile on her face.
“One sec, Grays.” I click the mute button.
“Got it.”
“Well, what is it?” I hold my hand out to her.
“Oh, you are going to love this.” Intrigue gets the better of me; I never see her this excited about anything. I snatch it from her bright red nails.
My eyes scan the invitation.
Fuck.
I can hear Maria’s psychotic laugh next to me, but even that isn’t louder than the sudden ringing in my ears. My hands shake as I read over the words again, hoping I had momentarily lost the ability to read.
Nope.
You are invited to the wedding of Dante and Rosa.
My heart hammers against my ribs, and I fight the urge to throw the contents of my stomach up all over Maria’s new white fur rug underneath my feet.
What the hell?
“Luca, you’ve gone awfully pale. Shall I get you some water?” Her nasally voice drips with feigned sweetness.
“I’m fine,” I croak out, my mouth now dry.
Throwing the invitation down onto the table, I snatch up my phone and bring it to my ear.
“Grayson, change of plan. I have somewhere I need to be. You go down to the docks, and I’ll meet you there.” I rush my words out, fumbling around in my suit to grab my cigarettes.
“Got it, boss. Everything okay?”
“I’ll talk to you later,” I say and cut the call.
Pacing over to the kitchen, I swipe up the keys to my Bentley from the black countertop. Maria watches me the whole time, her stare burning the back of my head. So, I turn to face her. Her fingers dig into her crossed arms, and I swear daggers are shooting from her eyes.
“What’s your problem, now?” I snap.
“I’ve told you once, and I’ll tell you again. Do not embarrass my family.” She storms over to me, her long fingernail jabbing into my chest.
“You have a weakness for that girl. I saw it at our engagement party. And do you know what weaknesses get you?” I can smell the wine on her breath as she raises her face closer to mine.
I stare at her blankly. I don’t have time for this.
“Killed. Luca. So I suggest you go and blow off some steam. Get her the fuck out of your system. She’s gone forever. She will never be yours. Because you, Luca, are mine. I won’t let that little slut take everything I’ve worked so hard for,” she seethes, darkness flashing through her eyes.
My jaw ticks. Who does she think she is?
Leaning down, my frame now towers over her.
“And do you know what calling her a slut will get you?” I growl.
She squints her eyes at me, and I lean down so my lips brush against her ear. “Killed. Maria. With my bare hands. You are in my fucking home. You are marrying me. You will do and behave as I say from now on. If one more word comes out of your mouth about Rosa, I will end you. Do you understand?”
She sucks in a breath and takes a step back.
I’m done listening to her. For weeks now, I’ve let her walk around my home like it’s hers. Thinking she has one over on me because she is a Capri. Well, enough is enough.
Straightening myself, I pat down my suit jacket.
“Glad we cleared that up. I won’t be home tonight,” I say, heading towards the door, leaving her standing with her mouth hanging open.
“We’ll see,” I hear her mutter behind me.
As soon as I open the door, I light my cigarette and take a deep breath, letting the chemicals burn down my throat.
Rosa.
Digging my phone back out, I scroll and find her name in my contact list and click the dial button. It cuts off, telling me the number I called hasn’t been recognized.
I find Frankie’s number, and he answers on the first ring.
“Luca. To what do I owe this pleasure on a Sunday morning?”
“Two things. First, we’ve had a hit on one of our containers down at the docks. I’m heading there now.”
“What?”
“Yep–you coming?” I ask.
He groans. “I’m just in the middle of a little fuck session with Lacy and Katrina—”
“Hey, my name is Cathy!” a woman shouts in the background.
The line muffles. “I don’t give a fuck what your name is. If you don’t shut up, I will gag you.”
I clear my throat, hoping to remind him I’m still listening.
There’s a shuffling sound before I hear his voice get closer to the receiver again. “Sorry about that, yes, I will meet you there.”
“Fine. Grayson’s on his way. Don’t wind him up today.” The last thing I need is those two at each other’s throats.
“I’ll try. I don’t know when he’s going to get over it. I mean, even his wife likes me, for fuck’s sake. Should I let him take a free ride at my face, get it out of his system? He’s so emotional.” I hear a smack come through the phone and a garbled woman’s moan.
I raise my eyebrows. Now that isn’t a bad idea. Stick them both in the boxing ring, let Grayson beat his ass.
“That could work. Anyway, I got Rosa’s invitation.” I try to keep my tone neutral.
“You remember Dante? Our new guy?” he grunts.
Anger bubbles within me.
“The asshole who didn’t speak? Doesn’t seem like Rosa’s type, and isn’t he older?”
“Who am I to stand in the way of love at first sight? Apparently that’s what happened.”
A bad feeling settles in my gut. Why wouldn’t she have mentioned this at the party? Why did she kiss me? Is this why she’s stopped texting me?
“Anyway, we’re having a little dinner party tonight to celebrate. Not that Rosa knows; she’s been very quiet about it all. I’ve barely seen her. Can you make it? Bring Maria?”
Running a hand down my face, I take a final drag of the cigarette and stub it out on the gravel. “I’ll be there.”
I need to see her with my own eyes.
If she is happy, it might break my heart, but I won’t stop it. I could never do that to her. I swallow past the lump in my throat. I want her to be happy, but with me. Only ever me.
I can’t let her go, not now, not ever.
And if anything is a kick in the ass, a wedding invitation will do it.
