Chapter 16
The Morettis
The Moretti estate in Houston was a sprawling property, not as grand as their New York estate but no less impressive. The house itself was a modern masterpiece of glass and stone, surrounded by lush gardens and high walls topped with security cameras and motion sensors. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence a stark reminder of the family’s power and the dangers they faced.
Caleb was silent as the SUV pulled up to the front entrance, his jaw tight and his eyes scanning their surroundings with a wary intensity. His whole body was tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Luca could feel the anger radiating off him, a quiet but palpable storm brewing beneath the surface.
He knew Caleb was pissed; not just for calling his family for help, but for not telling him about it. But Luca didn’t care. If he hadn’t made that call, they’d both be in body bags by now.
The car came to a stop, and Luca stepped out, stretching his stiff muscles as he took in the familiar sight of the estate. Caleb followed, his movements stiff and deliberate, his eyes darting around as if expecting another ambush. Luca didn’t blame him for being on edge; after everything they’d been through, trust was in short supply.
Before Luca could say anything, Matteo burst out of the other car, his face lighting up with relief as at the sight of his younger brother. “Luca!” he shouted, crossing the distance between them in a few quick strides. Matteo pulled him into a crushing hug, his arms wrapping around him so tightly that Luca felt his ribs protest.
“Matteo,” Luca grunted, but he returned the hug just as fiercely, his grip tightening as the reality of the situation hit him. He’d come so close to never seeing his family again. So close to dying. The thought made his chest ache, and he held on a little longer than he meant to.
Matteo finally pulled back, his hands gripping Luca’s shoulders as he dragged him into the house. “You look like hell,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “What the fuck were you thinking? Do you have any idea how worried we were?”
Luca opened his mouth to respond, but Enzo’s voice cut him off. “Enough, Matteo. Let him breathe.”
Enzo stepped into the house last, his sharp eyes immediately landing on Caleb. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened. But Enzo didn’t say anything, his expression smoothing into one of polite neutrality.
“You must be exhausted, Agent Smith,” Enzo said, his voice calm and measured as he addressed Caleb. “Matteo will show you to a room. You can shower and get some rest.”
Caleb stared at him for a moment, his jaw working as if he wanted to say something. But then he glanced at Luca, his eyes searching for something; reassurance, maybe, or permission. Luca gave him a small nod, his expression unreadable.
Caleb looked away; his shoulders stiff as he nodded at Enzo. “Sure. Thanks.”
Matteo clapped a hand on Caleb’s shoulder, his usual cheerfulness returning as he grinned. “Come on, Smithy boy, let’s get you sorted.” He started leading Caleb toward the stairs, his voice carrying through the hallway as he chattered about the house and the guest rooms. Aldo followed behind them like a shadow, his eyes never leaving Matteo, his presence a silent but constant reminder of his devotion.
Luca watched them go; his chest tight with a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name. He turned to Enzo, who was still watching him with that same unreadable expression.
“We need to talk,” Enzo said, his voice low and firm. “But not now. Go clean up. You look like you’ve been through a war.”
Luca nodded, too tired to argue. He headed for the stairs, his mind racing as he tried to process everything that had happened. But for now, all he could think about was the hot shower waiting for him and the chance to finally catch his breath.
He stepped into his room, the familiar surroundings offering a small measure of comfort. He peeled off his bloodstained clothes, the fabric sticking to his skin in places, and unwrapped the bandage around his arm. The wound was still raw, the stitches Caleb had put in two days ago holding firm but the skin around them was still red and tender. He ran a hand over it, wincing slightly, before heading into the bathroom.
The hot water of the shower was a relief, washing away the grime and tension of the last few hours. Luca stood under the spray for a long time, his head bowed as the water sluiced over his shoulders and down his back. He tried not to think about everything that had happened; about the ambush, about Caleb, about what will come next. But the thoughts came anyway, unbidden and relentless.
When he finally stepped out of the shower, he felt marginally better, though the weight of everything still pressed heavily on his chest. He pulled on a pair of soft grey sweatpants and grabbed the first aid kit from the bathroom cabinet. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he began to clean and redress the wound, his movements slow and methodical.
He was halfway through when there was a soft knock at the door. Before Luca could respond, Enzo stepped inside, his sharp eyes immediately landing on the wound. “You alright?” he asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of concern. “Do you need a doctor?”
Luca shook his head, not looking up as he continued to wrap the bandage around his arm. “I’m fine. It's from two days ago. Caleb stitched me up when it happened. It’s already healing.”
Enzo’s brow lifted at the mention of Caleb’s name, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he stepped further into the room, his gaze fixed on Luca’s arm. “How’d you get the wound in the first place?”
Luca hesitated, his hands stilling for a moment before he resumed wrapping the bandage. He could feel Enzo’s eyes on him, waiting for an answer. Finally, he sighed and said, “I jumped in front of a bullet. It was meant for Caleb.”
The room was silent for a long moment, the weight of Luca’s words hanging heavy in the air. Then Enzo let out a slow breath, his voice soft but firm. “Luca…”
“I know,” Luca interrupted, his voice quiet but sharp. He still didn’t look up, his eyes fixed on the floor. “I’m an idiot who never learns. You don’t have to tell me that. I know. Believe me, I know.”
Enzo didn’t respond right away. Instead, he moved closer, his footsteps quiet against the hardwood floor. He crouched in front of him, his presence steady and grounding. When Luca finally looked up, Enzo’s gaze was intense but soft, his expression unreadable.
“Do you trust him?” Enzo asked, his voice calm but probing.
Luca nodded immediately, not having to think about it. Because he did. He trusted Caleb, even if he shouldn’t. Even if it made him a fool.
Enzo studied him for a moment, his eyes searching Luca’s face. Then he asked the question Luca had been dreading. “Do you love him?”
Luca’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Luca…”
“No!” Luca snapped, his voice rising as he got to his feet and moved away from the bed, putting distance between himself and Enzo. He walked over to the window, staring out at the darkened grounds without really seeing anything. “It doesn’t matter.”
Enzo sighed, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he stepped toward Luca, his movements slow and cautious. When he was close enough, he reached out, one hand resting gently on Luca’s shoulder. “Get some rest,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “We’ll figure shit out tomorrow.”
Luca said nothing, his jaw clenched as he stared out the window. He could feel the warmth of Enzo’s hand on his shoulder, the weight of his presence behind him. For a moment, he thought his brother would say more, but instead, he felt the hand fall away as Enzo turned to leave.
Something in Luca stirred then, a sudden, overwhelming need for connection, for reassurance. Before he could think better of it, he turned and caught Enzo’s arm, pulling him into a tight hug. Enzo didn’t hesitate, his arms wrapping around Luca just as fiercely, his grip strong and steady.
He didn't press, he didn't say anything, even as Luca's control finally snapped and he started to cry. He just hugged him tighter.