11. Luca
Chapter 11
Luca
I t’s easy to take control when it’s right in the palms of our hands.
I stood, staring at my father on his bed, an oxygen mask covering his mouth.
“When will he be awake?” I asked Dr. Aldo.
He cleared his throat as he pushed back his gray hair. “It’s too early to tell, but it could take a while. His injuries were peculiar, especially on his head.”
I glanced at him, noting the scrunch of his nose. Dr. Aldo was a trusted employee, and he understood our line of business. I had no doubt that he knew exactly how my father received his injuries. Luckily, he never probed, and it was either because he didn’t care, or he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
“Keep an eye on him and let me know when he’s conscious.” I turned and walked toward the door. “Don’t let him leave this room. I don’t care what methods you have to use. ”
My father would die a slow death and I’d make sure he endured true pain before he rotted in hell.
Memories from the last time I was at the Club pulsed at the back of my mind as I walked into the ballroom.
I couldn’t help but scan the area for a certain blonde, my blood running hot when my gaze landed on her.
Tight leather pants hugged her lean legs like second skin and a lace red top accentuated her waist. Dammit . I needed my hands on her again.
I walked in her direction and used the excuse of Aurora being with her to my advantage.
“Luca!” Aurora greeted me with a hug and, like the devil himself, Roman appeared, pulling her off me.
“Worried I’ll take the mother of your children, brother?”
Roman’s eyes blazed, jaw tensing. “You’re a walking STD. You attempting to take my wife is the least of my worries.”
A sound came from beside me and I turned to see Irina rolling her eyes, blonde hair swaying as she avoided my gaze.
I bit the inside of my cheek. Was she jealous? It could be from disgust, but I’d assume the former.
“Always the dramatic one,” I tsked. “Hopefully, the baby doesn’t follow in your footsteps.”
My words were directed toward Roman, but my gaze was set on Irina because she wouldn’t look at me.
“So, uh, what do you think the gender is?” Aurora asked, pulling my attention away from her best friend, and I knew why. She worried her lip as she glanced at her husband and back at me before staring at Irina—who couldn’t be bothered to interact.
I was close to snapping and putting her ass over my shoulder to take her in a dark corner. It seemed she only enjoyed my company when we were alone or when I was pleasuring her.
Roman glared at me disapprovingly and he could continue doing so.
The fact of the matter was, I’d already been bitten by my vicious viper, and I was a masochist for more. He couldn’t scare me off. No one could.
“A girl.”
Aurora clapped her hands giddily. “Irina said the same!”
My lips twitched in amusement, and I couldn’t help but peer at her. She was staring off to the side, but I knew she felt my eyes on her.
Look at me, sweetheart.
Irina turned her head further, hiding her majestic face from my view and it grated on my nerves.
She wanted to play? Let’s fucking play.
“I need a drink.” I stalked off and irritation built at the base of my spine when Irina finally engaged with my two friends as I wandered farther away from them.
I signaled to the bartender, and a shot appeared before me. I downed it and slammed it on the counter, staring at Irina and hoping she could sense the heat of it.
She could deny me herself, but all she was doing was prolonging the inevitable. Irina would lose this game, and in the end, she would surrender to me. God knew she had me wrapped around her finger already and I was ready to get on my knees if she so much as asked me to.
Guests mingled as the party droned on and my skin prickled with the need to claim Irina as my own in front of everyone.
She was a magnet and everyone in this forsaken place seemed to be drawn to her, talking, dancing and eyeing her as if she was theirs.
She was mine.
And I knew my jealously was irrational when Gianna—who was Roman’s head housemaid—danced with her.
“You’re glaring.”
Aurora’s voice reached me, but I couldn’t be bothered to face her. My attention was solely focused on Irina’s hand on Nico’s shoulder. That little shit.
“Am I?” I gritted my teeth.
“Yes, you are. So, wipe that expression off your face before Roman notices.”
I knew Aurora wouldn’t say anything to her husband about my gawking. She wasn’t the type to create drama.
“With all due respect, Rora,” I started, turning to see her looking at me curiously. “I couldn’t give less of a fuck what Roman says.”
“Then give one for what I have to say.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her green eyes. “You’ve never disrespected me since I’ve known you and I love you like a brother.” I could feel the but coming to that sentence. “But don’t pursue my best friend when you know it’ll complicate things. ”
She was letting me down easily, sugar coating what she really wanted to say.
It was true that I’d never cared to be in a relationship with most of the women I’d been with, but this was different. I knew it was when the mere thought of Irina breathed life into me.
Obsession, craze, delusion, or compulsion. It didn’t matter what the reason was. My whole essence craved her, and it felt like I’d die if I couldn’t have her—brand her right into my soul.
“You’re right.” I lied. “I’ll move onto my next victim.”
Her name started with an I and ended with an A .
She chuckled, shaking her head at me. “One day, you’re going to meet a girl who will put a stop to your. . . ways.”
The thing was, I already had. And she didn’t even want me. Or she thought she didn’t, but that would change very quickly.
“But before you do that, let’s find out the gender of my little one.”
Aurora went to join Roman at the center of the room. He immediately kissed the side of her head, causing her to giggle in his embrace. If it weren’t for the affection he displayed toward his wife, it would’ve appeared he’d rather be anywhere else.
I couldn’t help myself. My eyes seeking and falling on Irina—who stood on the other side of the room—her face lit up with awe.
All sound ceased to exist. My heart thrummed against my chest as her face split into a smile that could bring a man to his knees .
It wasn’t until she jumped up and down with laughter that I realized the reveal happened, and I’d been too enamored by her existence to notice.
Blue confetti fell over the crowd as my ears rang from cheers and shouts of congratulations.
A boy. My mouth lifted into a smile. A little Roman would soon be running around here and I already knew my nephew would be mischievous, just like his uncle.
I crossed the room and embraced Aurora in a hug, smirking at Roman because we both knew his threats were empty and his wife loved me.
“If you ever need a babysitter, let me know, Rora.”
“Not happening,” Roman replied. “And don’t call her Rora.”
Aurora leaned toward me. “My beautiful bastard is possessive,” she whispered.
“I heard that, anima mia .”
“Well, congratulations, you two.” I clapped my hands, walking backward. “I’ll be sure he follows in my footsteps.” I winked at Roman and slipped away before he shot me in the head.
He was an easy person to rile up, especially when it came to the ones he loved—which was a limited number.
The opening I’d been waiting for all night happened when my favorite Russian walked out of the ballroom.
I glanced at my surroundings to make sure no one saw before following her.
Irina walked down the corridor and up the grand staircase, the party sounding farther away.
My little rebel had no idea she led herself into my trap .
As she walked confidently down the hall, I picked up speed before I closed in on her.
With one hand at the base of her neck and the other wrapped around her mouth, I pushed her back against the wall.
She grunted from the impact; her breath warm against my palm.
“Running off somewhere, sweetheart?”
Her blue eyes narrowed in response as she looked to the side, unwilling to my meet my gaze.
“Why are you avoiding me?”
Her teeth clamped down on my finger and I hummed in satisfaction at her malevolence. It fed my tainted soul.
“Is that what you’re into?” I let go of her mouth and trailed my hand down her delicate throat, gripping it. “You like it rough, Irina?”
Her pulse thumped against the pad of my thumb in a fast and rhythmic pace. I grinned, relishing in the effect I had on her.
“Get over yourself,” she spat out. “You’d have to be someone of importance to have that type of control over me.”
I rubbed my thumb up and down her skin, feeling it warm up. “Then give me your eyes, Irina. Look at me.”
She continued staring to the side, so hellbent on disobeying me. I knew if I wanted to, I could force her, but where would be the fun in that?
“Let me see you. . . unless you’re scared.”
Her head whipped fast at that, her eyes burning into me with intensity. “There.” She leaned in. “Happy?”
I pulled her to me by the throat. “Not one bit. ”
She searched my eyes, the tension closing in on us, stretching so thin, it would inevitably snap.
“How unfortunate for you that I don’t care.”
“A viperous tongue I long to taste even in my dreams,” I rasped. “I will have you, Irina. One way or another.”
“Leave me alone, Luca,” she whispered, a strain in her voice.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t? I don’t want you.”
“You’ll learn to want me.”
“You’re a psychopath.”
“Yes.” The tension snapped as I crushed my mouth to hers because not kissing her was as painful as her convincing herself she didn’t want me.
She kissed me as if she wanted to punish me. For what? I had no idea, but I feasted on her lips, allowing her essence to seep into me.
Even with my hand around her throat and the other on her waist, I couldn’t seem to bring her close enough. An animalistic need for her had come over me and it drove me insane, trying to figure out ways to brand her permanently on me—in me.
I pulled back, peering down at her swollen lips before holding her gaze. “You have no idea of the sheer power you hold over me, Irina,” I breathed. “Put me out of my misery.”
She clutched the front of my shirt and for a moment, I could see the internal war she was having inside those alluring eyes. Her hand shook against me, and I didn’t know if she wanted to pull me closer or push me away .
With a guttural sound, she spread her palm and pushed against my chest, slipping out of my hold.
“Don’t corner me again,” she said, turning and nearly running back the way she came.
My entire body vibrated with anger. These stolen seconds weren’t enough to extinguish this fire tearing at my insides.
One way or another, Irina.