24. Lucas
CHAPTER 24
Lucas
S erafina's words from still echo in my mind. "Then do something about it," she had pleaded last night. And she was right.
I can't expect her to watch me wallow in self-pity over losing her. If I want her back, I have to do something about it.
At this point, I've fully accepted that my desire to have this woman means diving deep into the life I've always rejected. But am I prepared to take others down with me?
I sit at my desk, staring at my phone, my thumb hovering over Alex's number as I push aside the thought of what my mother would say about this if she were still alive. "I raised you better than this," she would say. "No woman is worth going down that path." Yet, deep down, I believe she would understand if she knew Serafina. I swallow hard and press 'call'.
"Lucas! Que pasa, hermano?" Alex's jovial voice crackles through the line. What's up, brother, he asks.
"Alex, I need your help." My voice cracks. "I...I need to get Serafina out of here. Her family is making her marry some prick in a month, and I can't let that happen."
"Lucas...estás loco? You know what you're asking?" He questions my sanity. We both know it's long gone.
I grip the phone tighter. "I know I'm crazy. But I'm desperate. I'll do anything."
Alex sighs heavily. "Listen, this isn't some small favor. I have connections in Mexico that can help you... but they're dangerous. If they help you, you'll owe them. Big time."
My heart pounds, but I picture Serafina in that white dress, forced smile on her lips as she says 'I do' to that asshole Luciano. The thought makes bile rise in my throat.
"I don't care. I'll pay the price, whatever it is. Just help me, please." Hot tears prick at my eyes. For fucks sake, when did I become this pathetic?
"Ok, ok. Let me make some calls and see what I can do."
"Gracias, hermano. De verdad. I owe you my life." Alex, the only other family I have besides Nora, is like a brother to me. We've both turned down numerous offers to join the dark side over the years, but I know him. He's always felt the pull a little more than I have. I know he has the kind of connections we swore never to entertain, yet I can't shake off the guilt for involving him in my decision to fully embrace this life. I know the strings he's about to pull will come at a cost to him, as well, but I have no other choice. I will do everything I can to shield him from those consequences when the time comes. The devil himself can put the debt on my tab for all I care.
"Of course. But you know you owe me a hell of a lot more than that," he teases. "Just...just be careful, ok? And Lucas?"
"Yeah?"
"You sure she's worth it?" Alex's question hangs heavy in the air.
I close my eyes, picturing Serafina's face—those emerald eyes sparkling with the love we've yet to profess to each other, that smile she saves just for me, the way her curves feel pressed against my body like she was made to fit there.
"She's worth everything," I whisper.
"I'll be in touch." The line goes dead.
I collapse into a chair, head in my hands. Fuck, what am I doing throwing away everything, turning to dangerous men for help? But what choice do I have? I can't let Serafina become a prisoner in that gilded Fabietti cage. Can't watch her wither away, that bright light in her eyes slowly dying day by day.
No. I'll save her from that fate, whatever the cost. Even if it damns me in the process. She's worth the flames of hell. I just pray she'll forgive me for what I'm about to do.
A sharp knock at the door jolts me from my thoughts. I tense, hand instinctively reaching for the gun tucked in my waistband. "Who is it?"
The door swings open, revealing Dominic's imposing figure. He strides in like he owns the place, green eyes scanning the room before landing on me. "Lucas. Abbiamo bisogno di parlare. We need to talk."
I straighten, meeting his gaze head-on. "What about?"
A cold smile spreads across his face. "It's time you prove your loyalty to the Mancini family. We have a problem that needs...eliminating."
My stomach twists. I knew this day would come and dreaded it with every fiber of my being. But to refuse would be to sign my own death warrant.
I nod slowly. "Who's the target?"
Dominic hands me a folder. "Carlo Rizzo. Been skimming off the top of our shipments for months. Thought he could get away with it." He chuckles darkly. "Thought wrong."
I flip through the pages - surveillance photos, bank statements, a whole dossier on this poor bastard. Sealing his fate with every damning detail.
"I want you to handle it personally," Dominic continues. "Consider it your initiation into the family business."
My blood runs cold. Killing in the ring is one thing. But this? Ending a life in cold blood? Am I really ready to become that monster, even for Serafina?
I swallow hard, meeting Dominic's expectant gaze. "When?"
"Tonight." He claps a hand on my shoulder. "Don't fuck it up."
With that, he turns and leaves, the door slamming shut behind him like the toll of a funeral bell. I slump back in my chair, the folder dangling from my fingertips.
Fucking hell. What do I do now? If I go through with it, I cross a line I can never come back from.
Become the very thing I swore I'd never be. But if I don't...
It'll be my ass.
Steeling myself, I tuck the gun in my waistband and head for the door.
There's no turning back now.