Page 68 of Cruel Deception
And then he hung up.
I slumped back against the pillows, my heart racing. My mother. The Romani Syndicate. My grandfather’s house. It was too much.
I couldn’t tell Cassian. He’d forbid this.
I stared at the ceiling, unsure if I should go. But I already knew the answer.
By 5:30, I was dressed—black jeans, hoodie, and flats. Nothing fancy. Just something I could move in. I’d spent thepast hour pacing, battling my nerves, but I couldn’t back out now.
At 5:50, I walked to the garage.
Cassian had said I could use any of the two cars. So I slid into the matte-black Range Rover and drove. My hands trembled on the steering wheel.
I was breaking his rule.
And Cassian didn’t take rules lightly.
But consequences could wait.
This—this was about my mother. About my life. And the house that was once my sanctuary.
I pulled up to Luca’s mansion, the iron gates creaking open as if welcoming my doom. The compound was quiet, eerily so. The air felt off.
I stepped out and walked in.
Luca was already seated in a lavish lounge, a glass of whiskey in hand, a man standing beside him. The man’s face made me freeze—half of it was a map of burns and scars, the skin gnarled and discolored, like melted wax.
“Miss Charlotte,” Luca smiled, standing to greet me. “Welcome. Please, sit.”
I obeyed, heart pounding.
He handed me a file. “The deed. Your grandfather’s house is yours again.”
My breath hitched. “Thank you. I—I don’t deserve this.”
He gestured to the scarred man beside him. “This is Thiago. He’s one of our best spies in Chicago. Knows the Romani Syndicate like the back of his hand. He’ll help find your mother.”
Thiago gave a short nod. His voice was deep and rough when he spoke. “My rate is fifty grand.”
“I know you may not have that kind of money,” Luca added. “So I’ll cover it for now. We’ll sign a loan agreement. You can pay me back later.”
I hesitated, but then nodded. “Okay. Whatever it takes.”
He slid another file across the table. “Just standard legal terms. You owe me fifty grand. Interest-free. But you agree to repay by any means necessary, even if not with money.”
That line made me pause.
Any means necessary?
I stared at it for a beat too long—but desperation won. I signed.
Thiago stood. “I’ll head to Chicago now. I’ll be in contact through Mr. Luca.”
“Thank you, Mr. Thiago. Please... please do everything you can.”
“I will,” he said before vanishing into the hallway.
Luca turned to me, more relaxed now. “Would you like a drink? Something to eat?”
