Chapter 25
Catalina
Dario didn’t answer the first or second time I called. My next call was to Giovanni. He answered after the first ring.
“Ma’am?”
“Where’s Dario? I’ve tried to call him twice, and he isn’t answering.”
“We’re at Mr. Luciano’s apartment building.”
“Dario’s? You’re here.”
“No, ma’am,” Giovanni replied. “Mr. Vincent Luciano.”
I didn’t know he had an apartment. “Is it here in the city?”
“Yes. The two Mr. Lucianos went upstairs about twenty minutes ago.”
“I need to get a message to Dario.”
Giovanni said, “I can…” His voice lowered in volume. “Shit. They just came out of the elevator.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Ma’am, I need to go.”
“Please ask him to call me.”
“Will do.”
I disconnected the call. Taking a seat on one of the lounge chairs, I stared down at my phone, willing it to ring. My thoughts were filled with scenes from the last two months. I never expected to have such strong feelings for a man I basically recently met. There was no denying that my feelings were there. I knew that Dario could be a ruthless man as Armando had said, but that wasn’t the man I knew.
What if by telling him about my family, I was condemning my own family to death? Could I take that chance? Would my family do my husband harm? Or would he kill them?
Closing my eyes, I recalled Dario’s patience with our lovemaking. My core clenched at the thought of his caresses, kisses, and ministrations. I’d known my body would belong to him, I never expected that he’d also own my heart.
I didn’t want to choose between the cartel and famiglia.
What kind of choice is that, anyway?
I knew by the ache in my chest and the way I was worrying about Dario that my feelings were true. In a short time, I’d given him everything I had. My virginity. My loyalty. My love. It didn’t matter if Dario would never say the words, telling me he loved me. I saw his actions. That would have to be enough. I loved the man who I’d grown to know.
Despite my anticipation, I jumped when the ring and vibration came. Looking down at my phone, I saw Dario’s name was on the screen.
“Are you safe?” I asked as the call connected.
“Cat,” he said, his deep voice and the use of my nickname sparking my already-frayed nerves. “There’s a lot happening. I want you and Jasmine to stay in the apartment. Don’t go out for any reason.”
“My uncle and father are on their way here.”
“I know.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “You know. Is this about the coup?”
“How did you find out about their trip?”
“Camila told me. She said they left an hour before she arrived in California. Em and Nick are with them. She said they were coming for me.”
There was silence before Dario spoke. “Do you want to go with them?”
“No,” I answered quickly. “I’m where I want to be.”
Dario exhaled. “You’re mine, Catalina. Your father can’t change that. When did you speak to Camila?”
A smile tugged at my lips at his declaration. “Not long ago.”
“That means they should be here soon. Do you know where—which airport—your father’s plane landed when you arrived for the wedding?”
I tried to remember. “It wasn’t the same airport as where Camila flew into and out of. It was smaller.”
“Can you recall anything about it?”
My memories were fuzzy. I’d been distracted with the idea of my wedding. “There was a large blue building. It contained a limited number of hangars.”
“Lee’s Summit,” Dario said.
“That seems right.” I heard Dante’s voice in the background.
“Thank you. We’re on our way to meet your family.”
My heart thumped in my ears. “Are you in danger?” I asked. “Are they?”
Dario lowered his voice. “I was wrong.”
“Wrong? About what?”
“My ability.”
“Don’t doubt yourself, Dario. You can do whatever you put your mind to.”
He half chuckled. “I can. I don’t doubt that. You said I love Jasmine. I didn’t think I had that emotion in me. It turns out, I do. And she isn’t the only one.”
Tears filled my eyes. “I love you too.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
That was what he’d said many times right after our wedding.
“Please come home.”
“I’ll do my best,” he said before ending the call.
Holding my phone against my chest, I leaned back against the soft chair and tried to sort through my emotions. Dario admitted he was capable of love. If I wasn’t terrified for his and my family’s safety, I would find more joy in his revelation.
I turned to the sound of the library door opening.
Armando entered. “Mrs. Luciano, I received a call that Mr. Moretti is downstairs in the garage.”
Moretti.
“Tommaso or Rocco?”
“Rocco. He said there’s something he needs to discuss.”
I stood and mindlessly smoothed my skirt. “Dario isn’t here.”
“No, ma’am. He said he needs to speak to you. It’s about Jasmine. He saw her at the club earlier today.”
Shaking my head, I replied, “I have nothing to discuss with him. If he expects me to be upset, I’m not.”
Armando nodded. “I’ll let him know that you’re not receiving guests this evening.”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. “Thank you. I spoke with Dario. He wants us all to stay put.”
“Yes, ma’am. I received the same message. I would have turned Mr. Moretti away myself, but I thought since he asked for you, you should know.”
“I trust your gut instinct.”
As we walked toward the living room, I realized not only did I trust Armando’s instinct, but I also appreciated his presence. “Don’t you think it’s about time for me to have my own elevator card?”
“That would be a question for Mr. Luciano.”
We both scoffed.
The elevator button lit.
My pulse kicked up, my eyes opening wide. “Who is coming up? It’s not Dario.” I met Armando’s stare. “Rocco? How?”
Armando reached for his gun as I took a step back behind him.
The elevator doors opened.
Piero and Rocco stepped into the foyer, turning to see Armando’s weapon raised.
“Stop,” Armando demanded. “Mr. Moretti, Mrs. Luciano doesn’t want to speak with you tonight.”
Rocco’s lips curled. “There’s no need for a gun.”
Armando didn’t lower his weapon.
Rocco turned to me. “Catalina, hear me out. I’m coming to you as your brother-in-law. There are things you don’t know about your husband.”
I took a step away from Armando. “I’d prefer to have this conversation with Dario present.”
“You don’t understand. He’s betrayed his oath. Shit is going to happen. Mia is downstairs, and she insisted that we come and get you to safety.”
“Piero,” I said, “please take Mr. Moretti back down to the garage, and give Mrs. Moretti my apologies.”
Piero took a step toward Rocco, who lifted his hands.
“You’re not throwing me out.” He laughed. “You think you can walk into the famiglia and tell me what to do?” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re no better than the rest of the cartel scum.”
Armando aimed his gun. “Mr. Moretti, it’s time for you to leave.”
Piero reached for Rocco’s arm.
Rocco flinched and pulled away.
Before I could say anything, Rocco asked. “Where is the stray?”
“This is your last warning,” Armando said, his finger on the trigger.
“Fuck you.” Rocco dodged and pulled a gun from under his suit coat.
Falling to the ground, I closed my eyes as guns fired.
The multiple blasts echoed against the marble tile and up to the ceiling along with my screams. Opening my eyes, I saw blood oozing from Armando’s arm. Although his gun was now on the floor, my bodyguard was still standing. Piero had his gun drawn and pointed at Rocco.
“It was you,” Piero said.
My thoughts were a blur as I tried to make sense out of what Piero said. In my state of confusion, Rocco moved faster than I could register. I gasped as he pulled me from the floor and wrapped his left arm around my neck.
Holding my back against his front, he pointed the gun at my head. “Get the stray,” Rocco demanded. “Now.”
Piero’s gun was pointed at Rocco.
“Mr. Moretti,” Armando said in a calm tone, lifting his hands as the blood continued to saturate his sleeve. “Let Mrs. Luciano go.”
“I came for both women. I’m not leaving without either one.”
“She’s not here,” I lied.
“That’s bullshit,” Rocco yelled in my ear as he pressed the barrel of the gun against my temple. “I watched the surveillance at Emerald Club. Dario left with her. She has to be here.”
“Here I am.”
We all turned toward Jasmine’s voice.
“No,” I yelled.
“Don’t hurt Catalina,” Jasmine said. “I’ll go with you.”
I said a silent prayer that Dario’s training would work. With everyone’s attention on Jasmine, I gathered the length of my skirt.
“Fuck,” Rocco roared as my knife punctured his thigh. Loosening his grip of my neck, he reached for the knife.
I hadn’t hit his groin, despite my upward motion. The knife was lodged in his upper thigh. Blood saturated his blue jeans as he pulled it out.
Piero and Armando both advanced, taking Rocco to the ground. Armando twisted Rocco’s wrist. I cringed at the sound of bones breaking. My knife fell from Rocco’s grip.
Jasmine rushed toward me. We fell against the wall in an embrace as the men restrained Rocco.