Page 84 of Hard Lessons

“Let’s just say you need to hire more security, and next time, it might be worth checking they haven’t bullshitted on their cv. Check they can do their job.”

She scowled and clenched her fists.

Luca walked up to the bed. He studied her face; she was about the same age as Serena but had a weary look to her eyes. Her dark hair was flattened to her head and her skin was a little shiny, perhaps from moisturizer.

She nodded slowly as he came into the light. “Luca Morretti. Giovanni didn’t waste time putting you back to work.”

“Truth is, I’d have liked a bit more R and R before I had this job.”

“And what is this job exactly?”

He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping. His gun stayed directed at her head.

“You come to warn me off Giovanni’s business?”

Luca was silent.

“Come to slap my wrists for shooting one of his lackeys last week?” She huffed. “The guy asked for it.”

“Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. But you pissed off the wrong people, Meena.”

“Well, do send my apologies.” She rolled her eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I need my beauty sleep.”

Luca raised his eyebrows.

“Ahh, you fancy getting in with me. Must be a long time since you fucked, Luca. Perhaps you could kill two birds with one stone, pass on the message and get some satisfaction?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You turn queer in prison, huh? The daddy teddy bears get to you?”

He clenched his teeth. “You got the killing birds bit right.”

“Oh?”

Her relaxed demeanor irked him.

“Si, this is no warning call, this is to let you know there’s a bullet with your name on it.” He tipped his gun from left to right. “And it’s in this barrel.”

With some satisfaction he saw her cheeks pale and her eyes widen. “Giovanni wouldn’t dare.”

“Giovanni Bianchi does whatever the fuck he wants.”

“And you do whatever he tells you to.” She glanced to the right again. Clearly she had a gun in the drawer and was wondering if she had a chance at grabbing it.

“Si... usually.”

Instead of her gun she snatched hold of that last word. “Usually?”

Luca looked at the door. Paulo was on the other side, keeping guard. How much could he hear? “I’m no woman killer, but I’ll shoot you to keep my family safe if I have to.”

She stared at him.

“I’ll put a goddamn bullet in your brain and everyone you know if...”

“If what?” she asked.

“If you come back to London.”

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