35. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
Luca
I’ve been close to death only twice throughout my life. The first time was when Elise crashed my car and escaped. And the second was also thanks to Elise. Or rather, her cousin who planned to take out Enzo and me, regardless of what it would mean for her life. She was more admirable as an opponent than Eli. And just as ruthless, attempting to use Elise’s life to get what she wanted, exploiting their relationship for her own gain.
This time, with everything that has come with my almost death, new feelings have arisen within me.
The door to my office remains closed as I look at the pamphlet I swiped from the hospital. It has information to help me better understand how to reach my goal. Waking up with Elise by my side made me realize just how much of my family’s legacy would have been lost. I have no successor, and within a few months of my marriage, my father, who was not supposed to pass the torch to me for a while, was killed.
With the ruthlessness of the world changing and the lengths families will go to for power, it may be time to start thinking of my future. But it’s more than just the desire to extend my line. Elise actually showing that somewhere inside she cares for me has awakened something else within me—a desire to share more with her than just a life.
A knock sounds on the door, and I quickly put away the pamphlet as I call out for them to enter.
Nicolai and Enzo enter the room, and I smile, leaning back in my seat as they approach. Even though Enzo was shot, it hasn’t deterred him from wanting to remain a part of this life. He is as ruthless as his father, having not blinked at killing someone who was his blood relative. He proved his loyalty quickly, and I am glad for it for Elise’s sake.
She may not appreciate how we approached it, but I know it means something to her that he is alive.
“Glad to see you weren’t deterred by a bullet,” I say as he takes a seat. “You did well, kid,” I add.
He smiles, looking at his hands before looking back at me.
“So what now?” he asks.
I shift my attention to Nicolai. He hasn’t told him anything about what has transpired behind the scenes.
“Now, we have a new threat to extinguish. One that your dear cousin was able to contact before her death. One that would benefit from seeing the Pasquino empire demolished,” I say.
Corruption runs rampant within this country’s government. I don’t mind; it’s how I’ve been able to create such a lucrative business and establish our name on the front and back channels. But now, she has opened the door for a corrupt official to replace us now that they think we are vulnerable enough. And we have to put a stop to it before they start picking us off one by one, starting with me.
“And what do you need from me?” Enzo says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I study him for a moment before a laugh escapes me.
“Finish off the semester, then fuck off to college would be a good start,” I say.
I watch disappointment form on his features as he looks at me.
“But I did as you said. I proved myself—”
“Yes, you did. So now you can live a full life without worrying about a bullet in your skull like your cousin,” I say.
But Enzo isn’t satisfied. I know exactly what he’s feeling. He’s had a taste of blood and doesn’t want it to end. Going back to a normal life now would be a drastic change.
“The past few weeks have been hard on your sister. Why don’t you try being there for her?” I ask.
“I was. I did what I needed to make sure she was safe. And that I can be here to protect her. I can’t do that if I’m sent away to college—”
“It’s what she wants,” I say.
“But it’s not what I want,” he says.
“Is this how it is now? She dictates my life?” he asks.
I take a deep breath, studying him. I don’t usually take to being questioned.
“Well, if not for her, you wouldn’t have a life to be dictated,” I say.
Silence passes between us as he takes in the meaning of my words. I would have gladly killed him a long time ago had Elise not pleaded for his life. Personally, I think he is old enough to make his own decisions. But my decision-making has shifted drastically since I woke up in the hospital with Elise by my side. The relief on her face to see me alive has been burned into my skull.
I release a deep breath.
“The only reason I let you back into this was to let you get closure for your mother. And in doing so, you were almost killed. This life isn’t something you can just step into. You have to be trained for it. And all of us have been trained from the moment we could walk. You, however, failed the little training we did give you,” I say.
“But I can be trained, Mr. Pasquino, I can!” he shouts.
I scoff, shifting my attention to Nicolai. He has an indifferent expression, but shrugs slightly.
“Then start by doing as I say. Finish school, then fuck off to college. I have no use for you if I can’t use you on both sides,” I say.
Enzo looks like he wants to fight me, but decides against it. He lowers his head.
“Okay,” he grumbles.
“Good. You can start by checking in on your sister,” I say.
He quietly stands, leaving the room, and Nicolai waits until he is gone to speak.
“How are you?” he asks.
I shrug.
“Well enough to get this done. Have you heard from Romelo?” I ask.
“He’s still in interrogation,” he says.
I chuckle as I think of the poor bastard Romelo has been torturing for weeks. For now, it’s going to be a long stretch to figure out how high up this situation goes. And while we have to continue business as usual to not alert anyone of our knowledge, caution is the first step.
“I want everyone on high alert and security increased. Make sure everyone is aware of their surroundings. Wouldn’t want anyone getting picked off because of an accident,” I say.
Elise
Something is happening. Luca has not only intensified security around our home since leaving the hospital, but he’s also resorted to having meetings on the premises. I’m sure it means that they know who infiltrated the party and tried to end the Pasquino legacy. And it’s only a matter of time before Luca gets his revenge.
Luca has also been on edge since leaving the hospital. Even though he needs them, he refuses to take any of the medicine prescribed to him. He also opted to remove his own stitches a few days ago. But I know better than to push him for details on what’s happening. Eventually, he’ll reveal it all himself. All I have to do is sit back and wait for the bloodbath to inevitably cross my path.
“Elise?” I look away from the window and see Enzo stepping into the sunroom. He’s changed significantly since that night. He not only cut his hair, but also wears suits just like Luca. He comes home and follows Luca around like his new shadow when he isn’t at school. He is officially a trusted part of the family.
But every time I look at him, I see Ari’s lifeless expression. And while I understand Enzo’s reasons for what he did, I also grew up with Ari as a huge part of my life. It’s been difficult separating her intentions from the woman I knew my whole life. And it’s been even more difficult looking Enzo in the eyes. There’s no regret there—only desire for the next kill.
I place my cup down, turning to leave the room when he calls out to me.
“Wait, Elise. Can you please stop being mad?” he asks.
I slowly turn to face him, and when he realizes I don’t intend to speak, he continues.
“I did what I had to do for both of us. She was no better than our father. She was going to use you, Elise. And she didn’t care what would happen to you in the process. I saved both of us,” he says.
I can’t tell him it was Luca who ended his mother’s life. It would be like taking the muzzle off a wild dog we let into the house. And knowing that makes me no better than Luca.
“So you’ve decided to follow in our father’s footsteps after all,” I say, gesturing to him.
“What else am I supposed to do? If I didn’t, this family would have put a target on my back just for being his blood, just like you,” he says.
I release a bitter chuckle. “Wow. Luca has really brainwashed you,” I say.
“Proving yourself is one thing. But remaining a part of it defeats the purpose of you earning your life,” I say. “Our father was going to use you to put our family on the map once I was out of the picture. But Luca has given you a chance to have a different future than what our father intended, and you’re squandering it to be part of a family that made you murder your own blood to prove your loyalty,” I say.
Enzo scoffs.
“So that’s why you’re mad? Because I don’t want to follow the life you think I should have? You’re right. When Luca saved me from what our father planned, I did have a choice to lead a life apart from this. But it was my choice, and this is what I chose. And whether you want to admit it or not, neither of us would be here if not for Luca. Everything he has done is to protect his family, which is the exact opposite of what our own flesh and blood did,” he says.
“And what about me? I am your family. Have you at all checked in on me? Did you ask me how I felt after you put a bullet through my closest friend on the order of my husband?” I ask.
“I don’t see why you would care, Elise. She was plotting to murder you—”
“That doesn’t make it any easier! I grew up with her. We both grew up in this family, watching what it takes to have a seat at the table, knowing one day, we would both have to sacrifice for the family’s sake. She didn’t have a choice! It’s what she was raised to believe, the same way I was raised to stand by Luca’s side no matter what. And I know everyone wants me to be happy she’s gone, but her actions don’t make the reality of what we became in the end any easier,” I say.
Enzo’s expression slowly shifts to pity as he looks at me.
“Elise…I’m sorry. I didn’t know—”
“You’ve just begun this life, Enzo. I was born into it. You don’t know what comes with this world. You don’t know the dangers that come with making friends, combining families…and having children. All of it can lead to death,” I say.
Enzo doesn’t respond. How can he? He’s still a kid himself. He doesn’t truly know what comes with this life, which is why Luca was so angry with him for killing William when it wasn’t warranted. He has no idea what he’s in for, and a bullet to the chest is nothing compared to the road he’s chosen to partake in.
Enzo looks away, his brow furrowing as he speaks.
“I understand you’ve been through a lot. More than I can probably imagine right now. But this was my decision. This is what I want for my life, and I thank you for opening that door so that I have options. But this is what I choose. I just hope you can respect it,” he says.
I ignore him, my attention remaining outside. It’s all I can do not to scream at him. He’s done this for the past few days, attempting to make conversation and make me okay with the decision he made. I hear him release an irritated breath, grumbling something to himself as he leaves the room, but I don’t look back.
Maybe I am wrong for feeling this way. My entire marriage, I’ve blamed Luca for being who he’s always been. And now, I am shifting that blame to my brother. It isn’t his fault, I know that at the back of my mind. But it doesn’t shift the pain that I feel in losing everything to this life.
“Still harboring ill feelings?” Luca’s voice suddenly enters the room, and I turn away from the window to face him. He looks much better than he did upon his release from the hospital. And just as intimidating as he enters the room, clearly having heard our conversation.
“You know, you could give him some slack, Elise. It’s his life. Not everyone can be the perfect daughter who managed to keep her hands clean of blood most of her life,” he says as he sits on the opposite cushion.
I ignore his jab.
“I just didn’t expect him to be so much like you. I thought he’d be innocent still,” I say softly.
Luca scoffs, leaning forward in the seat.
“Like me?” he asks.
I meet his gaze as I speak, no longer letting my fear of him control how I respond.
“A killer without remorse,” I say.
Luca laughs, looking away from me to the window.
“A killer…” he says to himself.
“You know, you’re so self-righteous. You stand there judging people like Enzo and me because we didn’t have the choice you had. You stand there, breathing because I am a killer, don’t forget that, Elise,” he says.
Instead of anger, however, I see irritation in his expression. It shocks me and for a moment, I don’t know how to respond.
“Luca, I—”
“You are the daughter of a man so wicked, he would sacrifice your life to get his goals. You act like either of us was born into a normal family with normal jobs, and I justchose to be this way. But we weren’t, Elise. And just because your duty to the family was a marriage doesn’t make you any better than me. You did what you had to do. You followed orders. Your biggest issue was your father not paying attention to you. Mine was making sure I hit my target between the eyes and not the neck because if I fucked up, it was my life on the line.”
Luca stands, his gaze narrowing as he looks at me.
“This life was never a choice. You of all people should know that. You want to hate me because I allowed your brother what neither of us was given? I could have told him to fuck school and spend his life serving this family, but I didn’t for you! I really thought things were changing between us, but God, you are so selfish, Elise, looking down your nose at us for doing what needs to be done for this family. You paint me to be this horrible man when I’ve done nothing but provide for you, protect you, and care for you!” Luca shouts.
My eyes widen, but I don’t speak. I’ve never seen this side of him. He’s never cared what I think, or shown that he did. But something has changed, and he’s ready to release all the resentment he feels.
“You keep acting as if you were the only one forced into this marriage,” he laughs humorlessly, “Do you think I wanted to marry you? Do you have any idea who you are to me? You can’t begin to imagine my shock, my guilt, and my rage when I found out that I had to marry the girl whose mother I shot in cold blood right in front of her! Imagine when I have to look at you every day and look at that small scar on the side of your temple from me! From beating you almost to death! Because if I didn’t, guess who would have come after me and my family? Your father!”
Luca is full-blown shouting now. But my eyes are wide and in shock. He briefly mentioned my father was the cause of my mother’s death in the past, but I brushed him off, thinking it was just another reason for him to prove my father’s level of greed. But now, he’s admitting to it.
All those times he touched my face, gently stroking my temple…all those times.
“You what?” My voice comes out in a broken whisper, and all the anger that was present on Luca’s expression evaporates in an instant as he realizes his mistake.
“Oh, God…Elise—”
He takes a step forward, reaching for me, and I quickly move away. My fingers tremble as I touch the scar on my temple. All these years, I thought it was a birthmark. But it’s from Luca. The man responsible for my life, the moment he destroyed everything that I knew.
We both continue to stare at one another in silence until I finally take off out of the room. And to my relief, Luca doesn’t follow me. I push past all the security in attendance, making my way to the nearest car, and I note one of Luca’s men immediately approaches at the same time, probably on his orders.
“Do you need something, Mrs. Pasquino—”
“Take me away from here,” I murmur, crawling into the backseat.
I wait until we are up the driveway to look back. Luca stands on the porch, watching me leave. But he doesn’t stop us as we pull away. I don’t know if it’s because he feels bad about his revelation or because he knows that once I’ve calmed down, I’ll have nowhere else to return but back to his graces.