CHAPTER NINE
Three days later
– LUELLA –
The muscles in my arms are screaming at me when I slowly move my legs down from the handstand while my upper body stays locked in the upside-down position in the rings. Pulling my knees up to my upper body, I let go of the rings and jump down.
I roll my shoulders and grab the jump rope. I’ve been working out ever since I peed on a stick. My mind is a jumbled mess and the only sanity I can grasp onto is working out. It’s a routine. Simple. No thinking, just tire my body and keep going.
At least Macsen left early this morning before my life went into another tailspin. They needed him back at the clubhouse for some kind of meeting. The package with the pregnancy tests arrived two days ago, but I couldn’t get a private moment by myself until now.
To be honest? I didn’t need the pregnancy test. I should have known all along with the stupid hormones throwing me off-kilter.
Making my gut instinct spike, the doubt, second-guessing everything, not to mention sappy feelings.
I’ve never done those, let alone have bile rise up or become nauseous during an assignment.
Things were always clear; do my job, return home, train. ..rinse and repeat.
My hormones are probably what caused me to turn to Macsen a few days ago.
The man who made me the center of his world for one single night.
My emotions were in turmoil after getting engaged, killing my fiancé, and letting the past memories of killing my first husband cloud my head.
It’s the only reasonable explanation. Shit.
I still can’t believe we managed to create life two months ago in one single night.
We even used condoms...except for the anal part and then he came all over my back and started to play with his...ugh. Pregnant.
“Lu.” My father’s voice halts my movement and I turn to face him. “I have an appointment with a new client within the hour and need you to come with us.”
“New client? Why am I only now hearing about this?” I wonder.
Being a diamond dealer, new clients are a potential risk and appointments are always scheduled in advance. I always accompany my father and Taddeo, and not as a bodyguard. Neatly dressed to seem like brainless arm candy, instead of the assassin he raised me to be.
My father rubs the back of his neck and releases a deep sigh. “I accepted the new client when I was in a meeting with Bosco, he asked it as a favor to him, and at Dudley’s request when we were discussing daughters.” He clears his throat and adds, “Arranged marriages.”
“Discussing daughters,” I muse. “Does this mean Bosco’s daughter Ludovica is promised to someone now? She is of age and...”
“No,” my father clips, a little too harsh and quick.
His reaction is strange and we keep staring at one another until he impatiently asks, “Will you join me?”
I drop the jump rope. “I’ll hit the shower and be ready in ten minutes.”
He nods and walks off.
The ten minutes are spent taking a shower, getting dressed, and most importantly hiding a handful of weapons. In the past there have been a few altercations during meetings with new clients. Three years ago, we lost one of my father’s soldiers when they pulled a gun and demanded the diamonds.
Hopefully this will be a normal new client, and yet the knowledge this appointment was made at Dudley’s request makes the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It’s probably why I also put two thin knives in the bun on the top of my head. Extra weapons are always a good precaution.
Brando, my father’s second-in-command, is standing in front of the limousine along with Miller, the driver. They both nod once I strut to them in my high heels.
“You’re coming instead of Taddeo?” I wonder.
Taddeo is always present during my father’s meetings. He’s not only a certified gemologist, he’s also a highly trained killer. We spar on a weekly basis, just like I do with Brando and Miller.
“Another assignment,” Brando grunts and rounds the limousine to open the door for my father who leaves the mansion with a briefcase in his hand.
I sit across from them during the ride. My mind keeps wandering to the secret inside my belly, wondering if I should tell my father. It would get me off the hook when it comes to the engagement. On the other hand, I know that in this world we live in some men have solutions to any problems.
My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of being forced into an abortion. I curl my fingers into my purse to prevent covering my belly with my hand. Dammit. I just found out and I’m already protective of the new life inside me. Maybe I should message Macsen to share the news. How would he react?
The limousine comes to a stop in front of the elevator in the underground parking lot of a secure building where we have an office for new meetings.
It has a security system with a few of my father’s soldiers protecting the exits.
Miller opens the door for us and Brando is the first one to slide out, after that my father, who turns and offers me his hand to help me exit the limousine.
With Miller in front, Brando at our back, we make our way toward the elevator.
No word is exchanged and technically not needed because we’ve done this countless times.
My grandfather founded the diamond business as a front, which might not have started out completely legally.
Extortion is how he got his hands on the mine, and taking out rivals pushed him to the top.
He thrived in the diamond business and managed to push a standard twenty percent profit margin and even higher when it came to the rare, high-quality diamonds. It turned into a family trade and has only grown since.
My father took over when my grandfather was gunned down in the street when he was coming out of a restaurant. Mafia business is what got him killed and it’s why my father keeps a lid on that part. He’s a feared kingpin because of the way he rules without a trace of violence ever resurfacing.
A businessman ninety-nine percent of the time, but those who really know him see the blood dripping from every inch of his body.
He taught me everything I know, and has trained me to be the best. Not just the becoming an assassin part, every detail of the diamond business as well.
Even if he almost kept this meeting from me, just like he’s been keeping more information to himself these days.
The elevator doors open and my gut clenches. I’m instantly on edge and slide my hand into the purse I’ve thrown over my shoulder to palm my small gun. Normally I prefer ninja stars, and I can’t quite explain my reaction right now, other than “this doesn’t feel right.”
We all exit the elevator, the thick carpet under our feet keeps our movements through the hallway silent until Miller barks, “Down.”
A moment of fear stuns me. My hand covers my belly and a wave of pure panic hits me hard. The sound of a bullet kicks my training into gear and I step in front of my father to fire off a round of bullets while Miller does the same.
Ignoring the grunts from behind me, I kick off my heels and reach for a ninja star. Knowing every inch of this building, I run to the left where there’s another hallway leading back to the other side where the shooter is.
Adrenaline is pumping when I come to the end of the hallway, right before the bend. I take a calming breath and throw a quick glance around the corner to spot the fucker who is trying to kill us. Shit. There are two men and some might prefer a gun, but I rather depend on my throwing skills.
Shoving the gun back in my purse, I take another ninja star in my other hand.
In one smooth move I step out into the open and throw, hitting one of them in the throat.
The other guy aims his gun and pulls the trigger.
I hiss at the burning pain when I’m not fast enough to jump back.
Without thinking I step back out and throw the other ninja star, hitting the fucker in the back of his retreating neck.
He stumbles and falls forward. I’m already running in their direction and take one of the two thin knives from the bun on the top of my head.
Right before I enter the opening of the other hallway I bellow, “Die motherfucker.”
I don’t curse a lot, but it’s also as a warning so Miller, Brando, and my father know I’m stepping into their line of fire. One of the shooters is gurgling and has pulled out the ninja star I buried into his jugular, creating a nice arterial bleed.
The other one is trying to crawl to his feet. I jump onto his neck, grab a fistful of hair, and jab the knife into his throat. My chest is heaving while rage burns hot through my veins.
“Nice,” a voice states from behind me.
I whirl around and barely, just barely, stop myself from throwing the knife at Brando.
He frowns and mutters, “Jumpy much?”
Inhaling a deep breath, I shrug and roll my shoulders, feeling a pull of burning pain at my side.
“You’re bleeding,” my father says when he steps closer.
I glance down and the panic is back full force. The bullet grazed my side and the ripped fabric of my dress shows the wound is nowhere near my belly. Still, the thought of anything putting this pregnancy at risk is suffocating me.
“Everything okay? Are you hit anywhere else?” His concern is screwing with my head, especially since he’s to blame for all the recent fuck-ups.
“Shut up and focus on this fucking mess. We walked right into a setup in our own damn building. How the hell is that possible?” I snarl.
A cold look washes over my father’s face and he grits, “That’s what I’m going to find out.”