Chapter 485
“You are perfect, Bambola. And I will always do what I have to do to make you happy.” He assured her.
“I am happy.” Her voice trembled despite the conviction in it. “What I need is you alive p>
He brushed his thumb across her wedding ring. “I will be.” Luca glanced toward the departure boards, then back at her. Time was running out. “Remember your instructions…If at any point you feel uncomfortable p>
“I’ll be fine.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Luca cupped the side of her face, prolonging it for one extra second before forcing himself to release her. “Yeah, you will be fine,” he murmured. “Your flight is being called, Bambola. I promise, I will be with you soon p>
Vee nodded, though neither of them looked convinced by how easy he made it sound. She picked up her bag and started walking away.
Luca watched his wife, his Donna. He refused to let her leave without confirming it once more. “Mrs Genovese!” he called out loud and she turned around immediately.
“What?” she called back.
Luca stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, looking far too pleased with himself. Airport lights washed over his dark suit, catching the softness of his face he never bothered hiding when she was the one looking. “Just testing if you’ve gotten used to it yet p>
She laughed. The sound made him want to cancel Paris, drag her into the nearest private lounge, and tell every enemy to reschedule their bullshit. “A long time ago, my love.” She turned around again, lifting her hand and flashing her rings at him like a woman showing off treasure.
Luca shook his head, but his smile stayed.
Damn woman.
He watched until the crowd swallowed her, then forced himself to turn. The husband disappeared first. The devil returned.
Luca headed toward the waiting area for his own flight.
Bianca was on the phone as she took the elevator to the top floor of her penthouse in Paris. The elevator rose smoothly, all mirrored walls, gold trim, and soft lighting designed to flatter rich people. Her reflection stared back at her from three angles—red lips, sleek hair, calm face. Her fingers tightened around her phone.
“Fratello, I don’t understand what is going on,” she said, keeping her voice low even though she was alone. “I just heard Marco is in Italy. I thought Tony confessed p>
Bianca listened, jaw tightening. “Of course…Yeah, none of this is working.” Her brother spoke again. Bianca closed her eyes for a second. “Luca trusts blindly…Yes, I am still in Paris, Fratello. I am fine. I promise.” She stepped closer to the elevator doors as it slowed. “You took care of the girlfriend, right p>
A pause. Bianca’s lips pressed together.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll talk to you later p>
The elevator chimed. The doors opened, revealing her penthouse in cool darkness. Bianca stepped inside, heels clicking against marble floors. She switched on the lights, dropped her bag and phone.
“I’ve been waiting for you p>
The familiar voice slid out of the darkness.
Bianca jumped. A sharp, undignified yelp escaped her and she spun around so fast she nearly skidded.
Luca Genovese sat comfortably on one of her sofas. One ankle rested casually over his knee. His black suit was uncreased, his expression calm. The gun in his hand was aimed directly at her.
Bianca’s heart slammed hard. “Oh, Luca.” She forced a breath, then another. “What… what are you doing here?” Her voice sounded wrong to her own ears.
Luca tilted his head slightly. “You’re surprised to see me? I’m shocked.” He looked like a man who had already decided how the night would end and was simply waiting for everyone else to catch up.
“Why wouldn’t I be surprised?” Bianca asked. She hated the tremor in her own voice, so she reached for arrogance instead. It had served her well before. Men trusted beauty. They underestimated charm.
But Luca was not most men. And tonight, he looked at her like every pretty mask she had ever worn had been peeled clean off her face.
“Considering that you have orchestrated quite the take down, Bianca,” he said, voice smooth. “You really didn’t think I wouldn’t figure it out p>
“Figure what out?” Bianca asked. She crossed her arms over her chest.
Luca smiled. “You always did perform innocence beautifully p>
“I don’t know what you’re talking about p>
“No?” He rose to his feet.
Bianca took one step back. Luca moved closer slowly, the gun still aimed at her. Her gaze flicked, unwillingly, toward the elevator. “You wouldn’t kill me p>
“I’ve made several mistakes. Letting you breathe this long is one of them. You will die here today Bianca. Whether or not you tell me what I need to know p>
“You cannot kill me,” Bianca said, lifting her chin. “I am a Vitale. The famiglia heiress p>
Luca chuckled. She had mistaken his patience for weakness. Luca had always enjoyed correcting arrogance. “You hurt my famiglia…Ricardo,” Luca continued. “Marco. My wife. Nonnina p>
“Wow. Didn’t even wait so long to marry the bitch, huh p>
Luca lifted the gun. Bianca stumbled backward instantly, all that Vitale pride making a fast retreat in her designer heels. “Mention my wife again with that mouth and I will forget I came here with questions p>
Her throat moved as she swallowed.
“Who has been doing your dirty work?” Luca asked.
“I don’t know what you mean p>
He took one step closer. The muzzle of the gun stayed steady. “You tell me now, or I am putting a bullet in your shoulder p>
Her eyes widened. “I didn’t do anything!” she said, stumbling even farther back. “You’re insane.” She shook her head. “You have nothing. No proof. No witnesses. And you stand there threatening me, a Vitale p>
“Sweetheart, your surname is just decoration. Last chance, Bianca,” he said. “I will find out. Trust me. I will p>
She looked toward the phone she had dropped on the side table.
(400 power stones p>