Page 31 of Devour
“If you don’t end it,” he says quietly. But I can feel the tightly controlled anger simmering beneath his calm voice. I know it’s directed at Dr. Eli, but it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“I’ll be forced to take necessary action. And you won’t like what that means.”
I nod, swallowing hard. I just want to go home and change before I go see Noah. That phone call has left me on edge ever since. I hope—pray—he’s okay.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Luca
Afew hours after I ordered my driver to take Ariel home, I pulled my Aston Martin DBS Superleggera into the driveway of my estate.
The house is a two-story architectural marvel, sitting on five acres of land—secluded, private, and heavily secured. High perimeter walls lined with motion sensors surround the property, with armed guards stationed at the gate and another patrolling the grounds in shifts.
It’s one of the largest homes in the city, a symbol of power and wealth. I gifted it to myself the day I officially took over the family business.
A Mob boss needs a house that sends a message. But now, as I sit behind the wheel looking up at it, it just feels… empty.
I live here alone, aside from Griselda, my live-in housekeeper. She was hired as my nanny when I was a kid and has stayed with me ever since.
Claudia tried to fire her after my father died, actually had her isolated on some island for years. Probably because she suspected Griselda was fucking him. She was right, but I never confirmed it.
What I do know is this, Griselda was more of a mother to me than Claudia ever was. I step inside, the heavy front door closing with a soft click behind me. Griselda is already there waiting—just like always.
“Luca. Busy day at work?” she asks.
“Always.”
“Shall I have your dinner brought to the dining room?”
“No, I’m not that hungry. I’ll just have a glass of water.”
“Very well.”
“I’ll be in my study,” I say, already loosening the buttons of my jacket as I head down the hall. I sling the jacket over the lounger and pour myself a glass of whiskey from the decanter on the sideboard.
With a sigh, I sink into the leather chair behind my desk and take a long gulp. The burn is sharp, but familiar. I loosen my tie, unfasten a few buttons on my shirt, and lean back.
Dr. Eli. That bastard. A man from my own city… chasing what’s mine, I start to think of way to end him, I could have is car messing with and end him by car accident or gas explosion in is home.
Griselda steps inside cutting my thoughts short, she’s balancing a tray. Not just a glass of water like I asked, but fruits, nuts, cheese, and a small plate of olives.
“Here you go.”
“This is more than just water,” I say, eyeing the tray.
“You drink like a man trying to forget he has a liver. At least eat something with it.”
“Since when did you become a doctor?”
“Since you started acting like you’re invincible. You may run the city now, but even lions need rest and food.”
I take the water and sip it then pop some fruit in my mouth, just to appease her.
“Griselda…” I pause. “Thank you.”
She knows everything about the family business, one of the many reasons I’ve kept her under my protection from the moment I became head of the family.
I searched every damn island under our name until I found her. She’s been with me ever since. Claudia would have her killed the second I let her out of my sight.
