Cara’s pov
I returned to the living room to find Diana glaring daggers at the back of an oblivious Dominic, who was engrossed in the small meeting he was having with some of the men. I recognized Santino, whose eyes met mine with a wink and the older man from last time, Grigori-I think-was his name. The men took turns speaking to him, likely keeping him in the loop with the recent development while he was away, saving my ass.
Sergio and my other bodyguards were nowhere to be found and I hoped Luca hadn’t sent them to the Cosa Nostra equivalent of the gallows. I hoped they weren’t somewhere getting a body part cut off. I’d been so focused with my own shit I’d even stop to think how my little espionage moment would affect them. Luckily Dominic had managed to keep Luca from knowing.
My eyes found the man and although he had his back to me, I still could tell that his face was pinched in a thoughtful scowl as he listened to whatever it was Santino was saying.
“Can you trust him not to tell Luca about today?” Diana said, still glowering at him. “‘Cause I wouldn’t.”
I tilted my head in thought, “I guess? I don’t think he would but I’d still ask him. I’d do it after all of this was over, Beg him if I have to. Luca must not know about the loan sharks.”
“I still could have remained behind to help you look for other solutions.” She suddenly mimicked grabbing someone with both hands, her fist tightened. “But no, that asshole had to show up.”
A strong wave of cold dread washed over me as I thought about my failure to get Diego’s money. There was no telling what that asshole would do when my deadline is officially up. I shook the thought off, forcing my mind to focus on other things, anything.
“We’d have been toast if he didn’t, Diana.” I said, nudging her gently.
Her balled fist loosened. She sighed. “I know.” Her eyes grew hard again. “I just hate being indebted to someone like him.” Her eyes coasted from Dominic to me, “That aside, how’s Luca?”
My mood dropped immediately at the question. Luca hadn’t been lying about feeling better with my presence but there was this tension that remained. He was trying his hardest to mask it but I saw through him. I’ve never seen him this worked up since the time I had a panic attack.
“He’s tense,” I told Diana, “but he tried to appear calm, for me.” I hated seeing him worry and what I hated even more was the hesitation he showed before asking me to help, like he expected me to say no. If only he knew the length I’d go on his behalf. He was always doing something for me, putting me first and I’d be damned if I pass on this opportunity to reciprocate the favor.
Diana put an arm around me. “Cara, everything would be fine.” These were her words from West Garfield Park and unlike then, they didn’t comfort as much anymore.
“I’d be following along.” I informed, “To get Manuel.”
She nodded. “I trust Luca to keep you safe.”
Luca reappeared in the living room and my eyes were instantly drawn to him. And so was his. And there was something dark pooling in them. He came over to us, acknowledged Diana with a curt nod and said, “I’d have one of my men take you home.”
Diana nodded back, a small smile of appreciation on her face as Luca turned around and walked away, not before sparing me another intense stare.
When I took Diana’s hands, they were shaking. “Text me when you get back,” I said before she hurried away, obviously unsettled with the dark aura Luca had filled the room with. It was as if she finally realized the caliber of men she was amongst. I stared at her until she disappeared into the bend leading to the lobby, noting in slight amusement at her obvious attempt to ignore Dominic, her head high. When all of this was over, I’d tease her about this enmity between them.
Luca started to speak, bringing my attention back to the matter at hand. His voice rang through the room, firm and powerful. The voice of a leader. I watched as his men listened with rapt attention, obvious respect reflecting on their faces. They revered him, saw his word as law and were willing to do whatever he asked of them.
As Luca’s partner, I wanted such respect and devotion and today was the day I proved myself. I couldn’t afford to be ridden by my fear and anxiety. I’d make everyone know that I was capable as well, useful to the Cosa Nostra and something more than just an arm candy. I was going to be a vital part of this mission and I had not intention of flunking it.
***
The old port was just like I’d expected- dreary, chilly and empty. The promise of danger contaminated the air, the sound of waves from the nearby ocean clashing aggressively as if in warning. The place was dark, save for the overhead light illuminating the center, leaving pitch black shadows all around us.
Nothing about the gloom, deserted place spoke of hope. I shivered even in the jacket Luca had draped around me.
There was zero sight of the Russians and it pricked at me. I began to entertain a whole lot of terrible thoughts. Was this a trap? Were the Russians lying in wait, about to pop out from behind the gigantic rusty containers any second with firing guns? Was this place ridden with bombs about to blow us all up in smithereens?
I caught myself. Took a deep breath and released. Everything is going to be fine, Diana’s voice resounded in my head.
Everything WILL be fine.
A loud ringing sound nearly made me jump out of my skin.
“Alexei,” Luca growled beside me.
A deep drawl responded but I couldn’t make out the words. I didn’t have to because Luca suddenly snapped to me in alarm, a cloud of barely controlled rage overtaking his features.
“No,” he snarled. “She’s not moving a step forward.”
A cold claw gripped my wildly beating heart.
“The deal was to exchange her for my father. I don’t see my father.”
The Russian boss, he wanted me come to him, wherever he was lurking. Although this was a ruse, it still rubbed me the wrong way to hear Luca speak about exchanging me. Trading me like livestock. That was all I was to this Russian dude for some unknown reason. I’d tried to figure out why he even wanted me, why he bothered to go this far to get me and I drew up blank. Who knew why lunatics did what they did.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared to come out,” Luca was saying, taunting. A chuckle poured out of the receiver and Luca added, “Come face me like a true man Mikhalov.” He hung up, shoving the phone back into his pocket. His jaw clenched and his gaze narrowed. “Whatever happens, however I act from now on,” he says without looking at me, “know that it is only a ruse.”
I looked straight ahead, determination pooling in the weak areas of my body, stifling my fear.
Remember Cara, this is the time you prove yourself worthy.
A minute later, Alexei appeared from the shadows, looking every inch the exact opposite of how I’d envisioned him. The man striding to us was no big, bad, ogre. He didn’t have beefy hands or a broken nose or crooked teeth. He wasn’t bald and covered in tattoos.
No.
Alexei Mikhalov was as perfect as they come. He was golden. Alexei was blond, tall, his face perfectly symmetrical, with cheekbones that’d give supermodels a run for their money. He stepped into the only light illuminating the port and I was bit by the beauty of his eyes. They sparkled like emeralds, glinting with malevolent delight. His heart shaped lips were curled into a chilling smile, sending shudders down my spine.
Alexei Mikhalov looked like an angel, literally.
But.
He had the devil in his eyes.
His appearance belied who he really was-a ruthless crime boss. Sick and twisted and devoid of empathy and regard for human life. Like Lucifer, he was beautiful and perverse.
By his side is a man dragging along an older man.
My chest tightened.
Manuel.
He was pushed forward, looking haggard. He’d obviously been manhandled by Alexei and his men. Beside me, Luca was oozing off heat.
“Salvatore!” Alexei called out, his tone cheery and light like this was a happy gathering. Like this was a fun time for him. “I finally get to meet you in the flesh, my friend.”
“Cut the bullshit, Mikhalov.” Luca’s voice was cold and menacing. “Give me my father.”
Alexei was still smiling but this time, his humor was missing. “Have the girl walk to me and your father will do the same.”