10. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Elise
I stand on the left side of the table awaiting Luca’s arrival. Luca’s right-hand man, Romelo, stands behind the table, and Luca’s other man, Nicolai, stands by the door. I recognize Romelo from my wedding weekend. He notified Luca of family business and wedding affairs, and was also present during my father’s murder. Nicolai, however, I only saw for the first time the day of my father’s death. I recognize him because of his brilliantly blue eyes and pale blonde hair. He doesn’t seem like a man who would be caught up in our world, but I am sure he was born into it, as are all of us.
I make sure to plaster on a smile as the muffled sound of Luca speaking fills the air. Luca rounds the corner with a chilling expression as he looks at me.
“I’m sure you two need no introduction,” he says, gesturing to me.
My stomach drops, my smile falling from my lips as Grigori rounds the corner with Luca, a stoic expression on his face. He shifts his eyes to me but doesn’t react outside of narrowing his gaze. My mouth suddenly feels dry as Luca gestures for Grigori to sit, pulling my chair out for me.
“Best behavior, Elise,” Luca emphasizes his threat by pushing a loose curl out of my face, reminding me of just how far he’ll go to get my obedience. I shudder, forcing myself to take a seat, ignoring the scowling man who was once my father’s right hand.
“Grigori, I am happy you agreed to my invitation. I told Elise just the other day that I was looking to appoint someone as the new head. And who better than the man who served her father even in his final days? I’m sure you tried to convince him of the futility of his plan, right?” he asks.
Grigori continues to look at me as he speaks. “No. I believed in him and his plans. We all did.”
Luca chuckles, bringing the drink poured for him to his lips.
“All of you? You mean, everyone in the Trovoli family?” he asks.
Grigori nods.
Luca continues to eye him before leaning back in his seat with a terrifying, “Hm.”
The staff decides to enter the room with plates, setting the table, but Grigori doesn’t look away from me. I’ve never liked Grigori. He was terrifying in my eyes. He always followed my father’s orders regardless of the wickedness behind them, and to my own detriment. I am sure Grigori always saw me as a hindrance to my father’s role in our family. I don’t think Luca invited him here to speak with him about taking over. I think Luca invited him here to give him his last meal and possibly squeeze some information out of him while doing so.
No matter his motivations, I am sure Grigori isn’t leaving here alive.
“So what have you truly brought me here for, boy? I am sure you didn’t do it to be kind,” he says.
“I told you, I wanted to give you an opportunity to pledge your loyalty elsewhere. Otherwise, I won’t be able to allow you to live. And since you’ve shot your mouth off about the rest of your clan, I won’t be able to let them live as well,” Luca says.
Grigori releases a bitter chuckle, eyeing me.
“But you’ll let Eli’s flesh and blood live? You’ll allow her a place at your table, by your side, although—”
“Yes, I will because Elise is no longer a Trovoli. And we both know Eli wasn’t planning on sparing her,” Luca says.
I fight the tremble of my body as these men discuss not only my fate but the fate of the family I’ve been cast from. But I know Grigori. He won’t bow down to Luca. He was only loyal to my father. I’m almost certain Luca knows that as well. But I am also certain that Luca wants to break this man right at the table to ensure his loyalty. His sadism runs deep in that way.
I’m pulled out of my thoughts as Grigori places his hands on the table, standing. His attention is focused on me, his anger slowly rearing its head.
“Have you no shame, girl? You let this man have his way with you, with us! After everything your father did for our family! You let yourself be reduced to his whore!” he hisses.
My eyes widen slightly, and I look at Luca out of instinct. But he isn’t angry. He’s watching Grigori with cold precision and a grin on his lips. I look back at Grigori, who has yet to understand his situation. Either that or he doesn’t fear Luca.
“My father sold me off like one,” I snap back. Grigori’s rage manifests itself, and he smashes his fist on the table, forcing everything to shake and a few glasses to fall over.
“Blood over everything! Blood!” he growls.
Luca is up from the table, walking to where Grigori stands with his hands in his pockets. His eyes twinkle in amusement as Grigori’s hateful expression lands on him, a split second before Luca’s fist collides with his face. Luca wrestles him easily, pressing his hand into his throat, forcing his head against the table. He quickly reaches behind him, his expression blank as he places the steel tip of a gun against Grigori’s temple.
“How rude of you not to let us make it to dessert,” he growls. Grigori flinches as he presses the gun harder against his flesh. And to my horror, Luca looks at me.
“I hope you understand now what appointing anyone from your family means. It means the end of us. None of them will spare you, and according to Grigori here, they wanted to be part of the execution,” he says.
Grigori suddenly begins chuckling beneath Luca’s grip, pulling our attention.
“You have no idea what is coming for you, Pasquino. If you knew, the last thing you would do is offer to replace Eli’s position. No one will go against his name. We have—Argh!”
Luca smashes his gun against the man’s face, smashing him back into the table. I bite back my shocked scream as more blood trickles from Grigoris’s nose and mouth, but Luca seems more excited at the sight than I do.
“Perfect. I look forward to hearing just how much is coming for me in the future at the hands of the Trovolis.” Luca leans down, his lips hovering over Grigori’s ear. “But not from you.”
I scream as Luca puts a bullet into his head. His body grows limp instantly, and Luca releases him, letting his corpse slide to the ground. He doesn’t speak as Romelo and Nicolai are already in motion, moving to collect the man. Nicolai takes Luca’s gun from him as he speaks to Romelo.
“Get me his family. And get me any man who worked in close quarters with Eli. I want a full interrogation ready by the morning,” he says.
My eyes, however, remain glued to the floor where blood seeps from the wound. I bite back the heavy wave of nausea that washes over me from the sight, my father’s lifeless form flashing across my mind. My chest heaves, and I place my hand over my mouth, preventing anything from spilling while simultaneously earning my husband’s attention. Luca’s gray gaze falls on me, his eyes dipping to Grigori, and he releases an irritated sigh.
“I’ve never met someone so skittish around blood,” he says, shaking his head. He turns his back on me, gesturing to Romelo once more.
“Have Elise’s dinner moved to the sunroom.”
I’ve never been so disappointed to gain a position in a symphony. In the past, my recitals were my escape. They were the only thing I somewhat had control over. But now that I have impressed the director enough to earn not only a place within the symphony but a solo as well, Luca has made it his mission to incorporate me into the torture of my own family. Grigori unknowingly set off the slow eradication of the Trovolis. Luca has begun intensely interrogating anyone who had contact with my father, or anyone else high-ranking, for that matter, squeezing whatever information he can out of them in their final moments, accompanied by the soft sound of my violin.
I’ve considered breaking the instrument on several occasions, but I know it won’t do me any good. Luca will only buy another one after punishing me for trying to outsmart him. He treats me as if he owns me. I am the prize of the Trovolis. A prize that my father gave away too easily, and he is hellbent on proving that to every person who is brought in for interrogation. He calls me to his office, forcing me to play in their last moments as he tortures them in ways I didn’t know possible. The sheltered life my father laid out for me has been wiped away.
I can’t live like this anymore. But I know, as well as anyone else, that there is no escape from Luca. His terror has reached such a deep-rooted level within me that I no longer refuse. I even smile when instructed to, ignoring the slurs and screams of my family members as they curse my existence.
Today, however, is somewhat different. I’ve been summoned to Luca’s office without my instrument. I quickly swipe my hands over the front of my dress as I stand before Luca’s office door. The muffled groan of another victim greets me, making my stomach churn in discomfort. I don’t know how long I remain in front of the doors, playing different scenarios in my head for what awaits me on the other side.
I knock before pushing open the doors.
Upon my entrance, Luca’s eyes meet mine, and a devilish grin forms on his lips. My heart flutters as I take in that smile. It is a smile I know all too well. It is a smile fueled by cruel intentions. As Luca approaches, my eyes shift beyond his left shoulder to see his latest victim. I almost sigh in relief when I realize I don’t know this man. But my relief is short-lived as I take in the terror on his expression.
“There’s my beautiful wife,” Luca says, pulling my attention. He pulls me in, placing his lips over mine in a passionate kiss, his fingers threading through my short strands. He pulls away, studying my face, something he does out of possession, I’ve realized.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs before stepping to the side, “Isn’t she beautiful, Jack?”
Jack smiles timidly, agreeing with my deranged husband just as Luca’s grip on me tightens, pulling me closer to the scene.
“Come here, Elise. I need you as my good luck charm,” he says.
Luca pulls me over to one of the cushions with him and pulls me down on his lap as he sits. My attention falls to the coffee table in between us and the man he called Jack to find a gun sitting on it. Not a normal gun Luca usually uses, but an old- fashioned gun. My eyes widen, and I immediately try to stand, but Luca’s grip is firm as he holds me down.
“Ah ah, we’re going to play a game.” Luca rubs his hands up and down my arms slowly as he speaks. If it’s supposed to be his way of comforting me, it’s failing miserably. When I look at Jack, I see my fear reflected back at me through his eyes, and I find myself wondering what this man could have done to incur my husband’s wrath.
“Elise, I’d like you to meet Jack. He was caught a few days ago and managed to injure one of my men. Shot him in the neck, actually, but he’ll pull through. So after some discussion, we’ve decided it would be fair to give him a fighting chance,” he says.
Luca picks up the gun, waving it through the air.
“Have you ever heard of this game, Elise? It’s called Russian roulette,” he says.
I manage a nod, but that’s all I can manage atop Luca’s lap. I know this game all too well. My father would make some of his captives play it as a chance for freedom. I always heard the men talk about it, but never witnessed it until now.
Luca pops open the barrel, catching my attention as he loads in a bullet.
“How about you, Jack? Ever heard of it?” Luca closes the gun, spinning the chamber. He earns a whimper from Jack in response.
“This is a six-shooter, which means it will shoot six times. But only one out of these shots will go off.” Luca sets the gun on the table and slides it over to Jack, pulling his own gun out of his holster and aiming it at Jack.
“Now, Jack, if you can fire the gun off three times, then you’re free to go. If not…” Luca pauses in his sentence and laughs a little. “Well, you know what will happen.”
Luca pulls back the hammer on his own weapon, his tone shifting.
“And don’t you think about running. I’ll kill you before you can get your finger on the trigger,” he says.
“Luca, wait, please. I don’t want to watch this. I can’t—” My voice comes out quietly as I express my fears. I don’t want to watch this man possibly blow his head off. I keep my eyes trained on the floor as I plead with Luca. I just hope some part of him will hear my plea and let me leave.
“Elise, what did I tell you about begging?” he asks, shattering my hopes.
I choke back my sobs, unable to look him in the eyes. Luca is finally ready to play as he gestures for Jack with his gun.
“Go on,” he says.
Jack shakily picks up the gun, his labored breathing the only sound that fills the air. He slowly presses it to his temple. His eyes are wide, accompanied by a bead of sweat on his lip and brow. I quickly turn my head away, not wanting to watch the vulgarity about to unfold.
Luca grabs my chin and forces it in Jack’s direction.
“No, no, no, I want you to see this.” He holds my chin tightly and forces me to watch this man as he takes a deep breath and pulls the trigger.
Click.
I can’t help it; I hunch over on the side of the couch and vomit everything I’ve eaten today. The stress and fear of him pulling the trigger make my body tremble against its own will, earning a deep chuckle from Luca as he finds amusement in my distress.
“You’ll have to excuse my wife. She’s not a fan of violence,” he says as he pets my hair. But I am still keeled over the couch, emptying the contents of my stomach onto his polished wood floor.
“Again, Jack,” I hear him say. But I don’t want to look. I have no choice, though, as Luca jerks my hair up, craning my neck at an uncomfortable angle, making me watch. Jack is sweating bullets as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, pulling the trigger again.
Click.
I scream, and the tears begin flowing freely as I turn to Luca, sweating myself from this horrible event that is taking place.
“Luca, please stop! I can’t take this! Just leave him be!” I grab onto the collar of his shirt and beg and plead, my body uncontrollably shaking. Luca’s heartless eyes meet mine. Irritation grows on his face at my weakness in the face of punishment. Luca continues to watch me as he speaks to Jack.
“Again, Jack.” He keeps his eyes trained on mine.
“Please, I swear I’ve learned my lesson.” Jack is blubbering as well, his body trembling just as mine does, begging for his life. Luca’s eyes shift for a split second, followed by the sound of his weapon going off.
Bang!
I jump from atop Luca’s lap. His gun went off. Jack cries out in pain, clutching his chest. Blood stains his shirt, saturating it so much that liquid seeps through his hands. Luca shot him.
“I hate begging. Again, Jack.” Jack’s whimpers grow as he lifts the gun and puts it to his temple once more.
Click.
I release a breath once again, as relief hits me.
Bang!
I scream as an unexpected shot fires through the room. I barely felt Luca move, sliding my eyes over to see Jack’s now lifeless body with a fresh wound in his skull. His eyes are wide, and he is staring at the ceiling, his mouth still forming a grin.
“Bull’s-eye,” Luca mutters underneath me.
I quickly jump from his lap, but he grabs my arm, yanking me into his chest.
“No, no, no. We’re not done playing yet,” he says.
I push myself away from him, letting my terror fuel me as I scream.
“How are we not done? He’s dead, Luca! You shot him! You lied, you told him he would live if he won, but you lied!” I shout.
Luca watches me as I scream with a dark expression, and the moment something twisted clicks into his head, I see it. My fight-or-flight response snaps, and I take off running to the door. I pump my legs as hard as they will go, not stopping even when my lungs burn as I yank the heavy doors open, sprinting into the foyer. I don’t get far as Nicolai and Romelo grab me, stopping my momentum full force.
“No, don’t take me back to him, please!” I scream, but they don’t listen. “Please don’t! Please, I’m begging you!”
They drag me back into Luca’s office, where he is waiting calmly behind his desk. His eyes raise upon our entrance, watching me until they force me into the seat. Luca eyes me, moving around his desk. He looks at both men, gesturing as he speaks.
“Let her go. She’s not going anywhere,” he says.
He’s speaking to them, but I know his words have more meaning as he looks back at me, challenging me to prove him wrong. Both men release me, and a few moments later, I hear the sound of the door closing. Luca chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re too soft, Elise. You do know that I will be taking over for my father someday. My life will be a bloody one. You can’t squirm and cry at the sight of blood like this,” he says in irritation.
I don’t speak, my hands gripping the chair for dear life. Luca releases a sigh, reaching behind him. He pulls out the revolver Jack used only seconds ago.
“To be with me is to live a life of risk. You never know which day will be our last,” he says gently.
His eyes lift, meeting mine, and he smiles, holding the gun out to me.
“Show me you’re worthy of at least that…of risk.”