Page 15 of Luca

I have a seat next to him as Francesco’s beady eyes scrutinize me. “You’ve always been a good guard, Luca. Loyal.”

Fuck, maybe Giada got caught and that’s why I didn’t overhear the guards talking about it. Maybe they didn’t want to give me a heads-up that shit was about to go down.

“I appreciate that, sir.”

“I hate to lose you,” Francesco continues.

Double fuck.

“But I like to reward loyalty. Never let it be said I’m not a fair man. Right, Alberto?”

“Absolutely, boss,” the man next to me replies.

Francesco leans back in his seat. “Alberto needs a couple guys on his crew. Wanted to know if there was anyone within the organization who deserves a leg up. Someone loyal who keeps their mouth shut and does as told but isn’t afraid to get dirty when the situation calls for it. I remember how you came into my employment, Luca. You saved my son’s life even when it could have cost you your own. You know what Alberto and his crew do?”

I look at Alberto and nod. “He runs the whores.”

Francesco and Alberto dip their chin in confirmation..

“Among other things,” Alberto says. “How would you like to come work for me? It pays better than being a guard, that’s for sure. And the perks aren’t half bad, either.” The dark chuckle that comes from both men raises the hairs on the back of my neck.

“Gotta start them somewhere,” Francesco says before turning to me. “I’m giving you a promotion, Luca.”

My lips tip up in a grateful smile, but it’s not for the reasons they think. Maybe now I’ll finally be able to get some useful information about the organization so I can pass it to Finn and take these bastards down.

“Thank you, sir,” I say with restrained excitement, completely for their benefit. “I won’t let you down.”

“You’d better not,” Francesco says, nailing me with his hard gaze. His mouth splits into a smile, taking the sting out of the not-so-subtle death threat.

“See, Alberto. Reward your men. That’s how you keep them loyal.” He turns to me again. “The second Carlo brought you to me, I knew you were more than just a guard. But I had to make you prove yourself. Make sure you were going to stick around.” A.k.a., didn’t fuck up and get a bullet to the head. I didn’t end up six feet under, so I guess in this life, that’s proof enough that you’re ready for bigger things. “Alright, Get out of here. I’m sure Alberto is ready to show you the ropes. You have a lot to learn.”

I stand and shake Francesco’s hand. “Thank you for the opportunity, boss.”

“Do me proud, son.”

There’s no doubt I’ll be doing someone proud with this new position, but it sure as hell won’t be him.

“Of course, sir.”

“Go on and grab some breakfast. I need to go over a few things with Alberto.”

I nod at the two men and leave the room, shutting the door firmly behind me. When I look up, Giada is leaning against the wall a few feet from the door.

“Listening in?” I ask.

She shrugs noncommittally. “So you’re out of here.”

“Yup,” I say, heading toward the kitchen.

Of course the little princess has to follow.

“Well, congratulations. You get to run a prostitution ring with Alberto,” she says snidely.

I look at her with surprise, and she rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s not like I don’t have eyes and ears.”

“You need to keep what you hear to yourself, Giada. If the wrong person hears you talking…”

She rolls her amber eyes once more. What the fuck is with eye rolls and teenage girls?

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