Captive Hearts: A Dark Mafia Romance by Monica Myers

Author:Monica Myers [Myers, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

Luca

“You all right there Luca?”

Fabio’s voice was soft and concerned, which I didn’t find at all comforting. It sounded like the voice you would use at someone’s deathbed. I gave a slight nod in response.

“Yeah. Give me a minute. There’s something I need you to do.”

Fabio frowned slightly and shot a questioning look at Kevin. The bomb technician responded with an easy-going shrug.

“No problem. It’ll take me a few moments to suit up anyway.”

Fabio retreated to a tactful distance and Kevin disappeared into the trunk of the Mercedes. I caught a flash of flame out of the corner of my eye, chased by a coil of blue smoke. My brother obviously hadn’t used his time away to quit smoking.

I reached carefully into the glove compartment and drew out a pad of notepaper. Luckily, I always kept a decent pen in my breast pocket; another habit I needed to thank my father for. Balancing the pad on my knee, I wrote Dear Elise as neatly as I could, before experiencing total mental blankness. What the hell could I say? If you’re reading this, I’ve been blown up, but I wanted you to know I love you? Would that be any comfort? Was I being selfish for wanting to write anything?

Wrestling with these questions, I closed my eyes and allowed her image to float into my mind. I remembered the vulnerability in her beautiful eyes when she begged me not to leave her, and my own eyes stung. The thought of never seeing her again made me feel like there was a heavy animal sat on my chest. Galvanized by the strength of my own emotions, my pen began to move. I had just finished and folded the note when Kevin’s incongruously cheerful face re-appeared at the car window. His red hair was now concealed beneath a visored helmet and his torso was cushioned by a blast-proof vest. My heavy woolen coat suddenly felt as flimsy as a wet tissue.

“Ready chief?”

I didn’t know. Was anybody ever truly ready to die? It wasn’t like I had many alternatives. What could I do? Sit in this parking lot forever?

“Almost ready. Need to speak to my brother first.”

“I’m here Luca.”

Fabio reappeared, bringing the cloying smell of his clove cigarettes.

“There’s something I need you to do for me.”

I stared out through the windshield, unable to look at him.

“The villa out of town. The one with Ma’s gazebo. There’s a girl there right now. Her name is Elise and I…she’s important to me. If I don’t make it. If this goes wrong. Give her this note, and make sure she’s safe.”

I held out the folded paper with one hand. Fabio didn’t take it.

“You’re asking me to leave you, aren’t you?”

I still wasn’t looking at him, but I didn’t need to. His voice projected his stubborn scowl with perfect clarity.

“Of course, I am! There’s no reason for us both to die. You have someone to go home to as well.”

“Luca…”

I wasn’t ready to say her name yet, but I knew my allusion to Róisín had touched him.

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