by Lux Miller
Luca’s voice is tight as he pushes for more information, “You’re not telling me everything. What else do you know?”
Dante shifts uncomfortably and fumbles with his smartphone. I hear the unmistakable ding of Luca’s notifications from inside his suit pocket. He pulls it out and looks up at Dante, a look of confusion on his face.
Dante sighs and closes his eyes. “I don’t know, but I have a hunch. Show the picture to Emily.”
Luca hesitates, but finally turns his phone around and an unexpected gasp slips out of my mouth as the picture that lights up the screen of Luca’s phone dredges up memories of the life Luca rescued me from. “Cassie?!?”
Luca tenses, and his gaze shoots up to meet Dante’s. Dante nods, “Show her the other two. I suspect she’ll make the connection before you do.”
He swipes through the phone and stops it on another picture. Both of my hands fly to face at the gruesome scene as a strangled gasp slips through my lips.
Luca’s gaze narrows as he swipes again and a single tear slips out of my eye and cascades down my cheek. Luca nudges me gently, “Did you know these girls?”
I nod as I turn to look at Dante, a hundred questions flitting through my mind. I finally settle on one that I ask softly, “Why is someone hunting down Andre’s girls?”
Dante gives a knowing look to Luca. “That’s what we have to find out, but there’s more, Luca. The girl wasn’t the only victim tonight. Somebody is sending a message loud and clear, and I think it’s time we listen…”
Dante hands his phone over to Luca, and Luca’s gaze grows dark. His jaw is set in a determined line as he looks up at Dante. “Carter?”
Dante nods as he clears his screen and tucks his phone into his pocket. “He was found down by the Natchez Dock. He was mutilated. His fingerprints were burned off, presumably with acid. And he was found with this in his mouth, which was then sewn shut.”
Dante produces a second baggie with a Joker card inside. It’s bent and wrinkled, and has obviously been folded in half.
Luca closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again, he turns to me, and I can see that his eyes have clouded over with darkness. “I’m sorry Emily, but I’m going to have to raincheck the ball. I’d feel much safer if you went home, where I can keep a twenty-four hour guard on you.”
I blink, shaking my head quickly. “What does this have to do with me? Luca, what aren’t you telling me?”
Luca kisses me quickly, but he’s stiff as he pulls away. “Emily, somebody is playing a dangerous game. Carter was one of our guys that we planted inside a local drug cartel to get intel on them. He’s dead and now so are three of the girls you knew through Andre. The Queen of Diamonds, Queen of Clubs, and Queen of Spades have all been found on the dead bodies of girls who had known ties to Piacere.
“Somebody in the city has declared war on the Barresi family. The fastest way to bring a crime syndicate to its knees is to remove the power from those who wield it. And to bring down a King…”
Gasping, I realize what Luca is saying. I stumble as my knees become weak, and I wobble unsteadily on the fancy shoes. I’m rendered speechless, but Dante finishes Luca’s sentence with five words that make my blood run cold, “You take out his Queen…”
FOURTEEN
Luca and Dante stand toward the back of the balcony as they discuss what actions they’re going to take regarding the threat that has now ballooned. Apparently, whoever has been targeting the Barresi family is threatening to pull me into their crosshairs, and it has Luca on edge. Even more so than normal, his body language is stiff, and he’s scowling as he speaks with Dante. Even from my position leaning against the balcony, I can feel the tension in the air. It’s palpable and though Luca has asked me to watch and enjoy the parade, it’s hard to ignore the brooding brothers behind me.
Despite the uncomfortable suspense that surrounds the pair, I try to do as Luca asks and watch the rest of the Nyx parade. Armfuls of trinkets rain down on the balcony, but as the final float rolls by, the disappointment in my gut clenches as I realize I’m not going to catch one of the coveted purses.
A dozen necklaces in sparkling shades of the rainbow adorn my neck, and I have handfuls of baubles that should make any parade goer giddy. I’ve caught a light-up flag bearing the logo of the Krewe of Nyx, a couple Frisbees, cups, and even a hot pink doubloon with the Krewe’s famous masked face. The despondent ball of frustration in my gut is palpable.
I feel ridiculous as soon as the thought materializes in my head. Dante and Luca are discussing the murder of an associate and probably a friend, plus the murders of at least three girls I used to know. I didn’t know two of them well, but Cassie and I were friends at one point. By the time of my rescue from Andre’s clutches, she had fallen into favor with Andre while I had fallen out, so we didn’t talk much, and the loss doesn’t feel real.
I don’t want to face Luca right now, because I know that my dismay is written all over my face. He has enough to worry about. The fact that his incredibly spoiled girlfriend didn’t catch a certain kind of parade throw just seems insignificant when he’s discussing with his brother how best to protect me from the monsters in the shadows who will stop at nothing to topple Luca’s empire.
I’m pushing down the nasty taste of discontentment that bubbles in my throat when I feel a strong hand on my hip. I glance to my right and bite down on my bottom lip to try to hide my disappointment from Luca as he peers down at me. If he’s noticed my unhappiness, he doesn’t dwell on it. Instead, he leans down over me and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Dante thinks we should go to the ball anyway.”
A surprised puff of air slips past my lips at Luca’s statement. “What? I thought you said it was too dangerous?”
Luca nods. “It is dangerous. But there’s an enormous target on your back just because you’re my girlfriend. Ball or not, the level of danger you’re facing by continuing to be with me doesn’t change. But Dante thinks that if we skip the ball, we’ll tip off whoever is behind this that we know. And that could force their hand to move against us.
“Dante has suggested that if we project an air of ignorance to the amount of danger we’re facing, that they’ll remain in the shadows for now. And by going to the ball as a publicly united couple despite everything, we’ll dilute their ability to instill panic in us. Their greatest weapon against us is fear.”
Luca brushes his hand down the side of my face and smiles at me. “And our greatest defense is refusing to back down. But only if it’s what you want to do. I won’t force you into anything, my love. The future is wholly your decision, and I will support you in any choice you make.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat and nod. “What if I wanted to leave New Orleans?”
Luca’s entire body stiffens at the mere suggestion, but instead of arguing or trying to convince me otherwise, he does the exact opposite of what I’m expecting. He inhales a shaky breath and takes both of my hands in his, turning me to face him. “Then I make arrangements for you to disappear from New Orleans… and from my life. I don’t want you to fear for yours. If that’s what you want, it’ll be my honor to follow your wishes.”
I quickly shake my head as a painful twinge twists through my chest. He has a look of utter devastation on his face, but his voice stays even as he offers me an escape for the second time. “I’ll set aside my feelings to protect you, but you own my heart.”
I squeeze his hands gently and lean into him, stating firmly, “Never. God, Luca… I’m not going to walk away from the one man who makes every part of me ache for him. Besides, you and I both know that I’d never be allowed to walk away alive. You may have power, but you don’t get the final say when it comes to the family’s secrets.
“But my mind, my body… my heart… You really don’t get it, do you? This stopped being about pretending for me months ago. My life may be in danger by staying with you, but I don’t want to live without you.”
A surprised hiss behind me startl
es me as I whip around to find myself face to face with Dante. He presses the back of his hand against my forehead and shakes his head. “Well, you’re not feverish, so you’re probably not hallucinating.”
I roll my eyes and push his hand off my forehead. “Don’t touch me, you weirdo.”
Dante snorts and looks at Luca. “I definitely understand your attraction to her. She doesn’t take anyone’s shit, not even yours. And you’re an asshole. If she can tolerate your ornery butt in the mornings, she just might be the one to make you—”
Luca holds up a hand, effectively stopping Dante from finishing his sentence. “Dante, she’s my girlfriend. She has stood by my side through some pretty shitty stuff so far, and I trust that she’ll continue to do so. Lord knows I hope she’s no spy, because if she is, she’s going to ruin me.”
I slap Luca’s bicep and shake my head. “If I was a spy, I’d have let you die the night you fucked up and got yourself sliced open… I love you, you stubborn idiot… and for the record Dante…”
Looking over at Dante, I wag my finger at him, “...you’re an asshole too. You two are way more alike than either of you will ever admit. You’re pretty playboys with a whorish side, because neither one of you can get enough pussy. The only difference between you and Luca is that you’re somewhat discreet about it. Everybody knows Luca’s getting laid, but don’t think we believe that you’re not tapping something somewhere.”
Dante bursts into laughter, bellowing to the night sky as he throws his head back with glee. “See, Luca? You’re not the only one who benefits from having her around. We could all use a pocket-sized spitfire to put us in our place once in a while… which reminds me… I have something for you…”
I tilt my head to the side and eye Dante curiously. His shoulder is no longer in a sling and is well on its way to being fully healed. He still endures painful rehab sessions twice a week, but he’s mostly able to utilize full range of motion in the shoulder. His wrist is still in a cast, but he runs around like he’s invincible. You’d think getting shot nine times and coming perilously close to death would mellow a man. It hasn’t tempered Dante or Luca — they’re both still as stubborn as a bull on a rampage through Spain.
Luca raises one eyebrow, and Dante inclines his head at him, “By request, I had a chat with one of the riders in the Krewe of Nyx. In exchange for some quality time with yours truly, I convinced her to part ways with one of those purses you so desperately want. Can’t say I ever expected to be a grown man procuring a purse for a woman that isn’t even mine, but I’ll be getting a little something from the deal as well, so you won’t hear me complaining.”
He pulls a small black bag from inside his jacket and hands it over to me. As I unwrap the thin plastic, I gasp with the realization that he didn’t just get me a Nyx purse. He managed to get his hands on one of the ones that’s meant to be a collector’s items and not a novelty.
It’s small, the perfect size for a handbag. Dazzling sequins adorn the clutch in two-toned gold with a gorgeous gold peacock brooch attached to the front. Delicate blue gemstones accent the peacock’s feathers. The back of the purse is emblazoned in a soft shade of blue with the Nyx logo and year.
I can’t hold back the squeal that pierces the silence of the balcony. I throw my arms around Dante’s neck and squeeze. “Oh Dante! I could kiss you for this!”
Dante chuckles and shakes his head, patting my back gently. “It was my pleasure to obtain it for you, but I still remember what happened the last time I made the mistake of kissing you. Besides, it’s not like I’m getting nothing out of the deal.”
I roll my eyes and kiss Dante’s cheek, despite his protests. As I drop off my tiptoes and pull my arms from around his neck, I hold the clutch in one hand and plop the other on my hip. “You’re banging her, aren’t you?”
Dante shrugs and spreads his hands wide as he whistles innocently. “That wasn’t explicitly stated in the agreement. I agreed to be her plus one to the ball tonight, she agreed to give me the purse since it matched your dress. If something else happens, then I’ll go with what fate has planned for me.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “She’s cute, isn’t she?”
Dante smirks with a nod, and I just shake my head before walking back over to Luca and kissing him forcefully. Before he has a moment to protest, my tongue is in his mouth, stroking along his languidly. For several moments the rest of the world fades, and it’s just me and Luca making out. Until Dante clears his throat loudly behind us and Luca tears his lips from mine.
“We’d better be getting to the ball,” Luca murmurs as he pulls back and looks down at me.
I nod and smile, patting his chest gently. “Thank you, Luca. I know you texted Dante to tell him to get me one. I appreciate your efforts.”
Luca shrugs innocently. “Wasn’t me.”
I laugh softly and hold my hand out. “Oh yeah? Dante, let me see your phone.”
Dante raises an eyebrow as he promptly drops it into the pocket of his suit trousers. “I mean this in the nicest way possible, Emily… but bros before hos. I can’t betray my brother’s secrets.”
I frown slightly and turn to look at Luca, who’s blushing softly. The hint of red on his cheeks sets off his gray eyes and makes me want to melt into a puddle right there on the balcony.
Taking a deep breath, Luca places his phone in my outstretched hand. “Unless it’s a matter of business that must not be discussed with anyone, I can’t keep any secrets from you. The code is oh nine two two.”
I look down at the extremely expensive smartphone that sits in my hands. My fingers slowly press in the four numbers and the screen flashes as it unlocks, revealing that the background to Luca’s personal phone is a picture of the portrait I painted of him shortly after his attack. In my hands, I’m holding the answers to every question that’s been flitting around in my mind, but something stops me from digging through his phone.
Sighing softly, I swipe the screen to the right to relock the phone and hand it back to Luca. “I trust you, Luca. I know you asked Dante to get me the purse, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re a good brother to let him take credit for it. He’s the closest thing I have to a best friend, and to know that he would do something like this to see me happy means a lot. But I don’t need to snoop through your phone.
“We may not be perfect, but I trust you enough to know that anything you keep hidden from me is either for my own protection or because you fear that my knowing would make me hate you. It won’t, for the record, but I don’t want to be a broken record, telling you over and over again that I accept you. You know I do, or I wouldn’t be here. But I do have to know, why that code? Most men are losers are have it set to oh oh oh oh.”
Dante narrows his eyes at me for a moment, then he whips his own phone out and starts typing on it. I giggle when I realize he’s likely changing his passcode. Luca chuckles and kisses my forehead. “It was oh oh oh oh until recently…”
Realization dawns on me. “Wait, your passcode is the day we met?”
Luca nods, responding, “It’s the day I realized that no matter how dark the darkness gets, that there are some things in life worth living for, and there’s light for those who open their eyes enough to see it.”
I know I’m grinning like an idiot, and I can’t help but giggle at the gagging noises coming from Dante’s direction. I give him a look and roll my eyes at him. “Get a bad muffalata?”
Dante shakes his head as he scrunches his nose. “Nah, my sandwich was fine. A bit heavy on the olives today, but delicious as always. Frank’s takes care of us wiseguys. He was rather thrilled to hear that I’d become official.”
Luca rolls his eyes where Dante can’t see him. “He’s just thrilled because our made men eat for free there. We don’t collect payments from Frank’s for their protection. Long standing open invitation to eat whenever we want is payment enough. It’s an unspoken agreement that’s been in place as long as Frank’s has been open. But that’s not what
he’s pretending to gag over…”
Nodding, I smile. “I know. He’s grossed out by you being all mushy and lovey-dovey.”
Dante nods in agreement, sticking his tongue out and pretending to stick his finger down his throat. “You broke my brother. He’s legitimately broken. He’s saying things that love-sick Romeos trying to woo a woman say, not the heir to the New Orleans underground.”
I chuckle and walk over to Dante, patting his chest gently. “One day, you’ll sing a different tune, Dante. One day, you’re going to wake up and you’re going to find that when you weren’t paying attention, someone laid claim to your heart, and you’ll be powerless to fight the feelings that consume you. The Devil himself fell in love, and someday you will too.”
Dante is still shaking his head in disagreement as the three of us walk into the ball. He smirks as a tall, red-headed woman approaches us and curtsies. Her face is obscured, so it’s impossible to tell who she is, but she has a cute figure that’s highlighted by her baby blue dress that drapes precariously over creamy white skin. The delicate fabric sweeps across her body in a way that covers the essentials while putting on a show. Though she wears a mask that covers her features, her bright blue eyes sparkle behind the white mask.
