“Where else would I go?” he joked in a faint voice, fear glistening in his eyes before they started to flutter shut.
“Stay awake!” she wept, as tears spilled from her eyes. “Stay awake, you hear me?!”
“I can’t,” he uttered, blinking hard. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired.”
“No! No!” Aurora screamed, holding his face in her hands. The world around him darkened. Luca could not feel her touch or hear her words, the pain too much for him to focus on. Aurora’s image began to fade into a gloomy darkness. Feeling the searing pain on his chest, he gave in to the exhaustion, and let his eyes close…
Chapter Twenty-Eight
An ambulance arrived what felt like hours later and Luca was immediately rushed off to the closest trauma center. He was still alive, but the loss of blood had weakened him. According to the paramedics, the bullet had to be removed as soon as possible, otherwise he would not survive. Terrified for his life, Aurora rode in the ambulance with him. As soon as they arrived at the hospital, Luca was rushed to the operating room.
All alone in the waiting room, she paced up and down the floor for more than an hour, too anxious to even consider taking a seat. The scene of the shooting replayed in her mind, over and over again, serving as a painful reminder of his near sacrifice.
The sound of the ER door being violently pushed open snapped her out of her thoughts. Aurora walked back to the corridor and watched as four paramedics were rushing someone to the emergency room. She could not make out who he was, but she did recognize the tall brunette following them: Elle. Only when they passed her by did she get a chance to identify the man on the stretcher. It was Bax. He was in a terrible condition; his face was badly bruised, he had a cervical collar around his neck, and his clothes were covered in blood.
Aurora and Elle’s eyes met across the corridor. She had no idea if Elle had forgiven her for lying to her or not, but in the moment, she didn’t care. Aurora rushed up to her and threw her arms around the woman, who welcomed the hug happily. They held each other for a few moments until they each felt the courage to let go.
“What are you doing here?” Elle asked, brushing tears away from her cheeks. “Did you hear about Bax? Is Luca here?”
“Luca is here, but he’s in the operating room.”
“Luca?” Elle squeaked. “Why? What happened to him?”
“He took a bullet for me,” Aurora whispered, blinking back tears. Even more fear clouded Elle’s face as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“This means that…”
“He was never the target,” Aurora finished her sentence. “I was. Why is Bax here?”
“They wanted to know where Luca was going,” Elle said faintly, staring off into the distance.
“They?” Aurora squinted at her. “Who’s ‘they’?”
“Bax said that two men stormed into his room a few hours ago,” Elle answered, her voice quivering. “They asked him if Luca was going to visit you, but Bax wouldn’t say. They beat him up and threatened to kill me if he didn’t tell them.”
“Oh, my God…” Aurora sighed, running her hand through her hair.
“Why would someone want to kill you?” Elle asked. “What have you done?”
“Nothing,” Aurora’s said in a panic. “I’m nobody. I make bagels and take care of my sister.”
Elle was about to speak, but, at that moment, a young doctor stepped out into the waiting room. The two women ran towards him, anxious for news.
“The bullet missed any vital organs,” he announced to Aurora. “We were able to remove it. He was lucky; another inch further south and he would have been beyond our help.”
Elle breathed a sigh of relief, as Aurora brushed past her. Much to the Elle’s surprise, her friend wrapped her arms around the doctor.
“Thank you so much,” she whispered.
“Is this a customary practice in the US?” Elle’s question made the doctor’s eyes glint with amusement.
“It’s been known to happen when the news is good,” he laughed. “Anyway, he’s still under sedation. You can see him if you like. Don’t stay too long. He needs to get some rest. Excuse me.”
“Doctor, what about the other gentleman?” Elle inquired.
“You’ll have to ask someone in the ER. I’m afraid that’s not my area,” he replied, walking back into the surgery wing.
Elle nervously pulled out her cell phone. “Bax would be furious if he knew all of this has happened. He is always shouting at Luca about his lack of a security detail. I’m going to call home right now and have them arrange security. It is absolutely insane that Luca is just wandering all over a strange city without protection. No more. Never again,” she said angrily. Aurora assumed half of her anger was directed at whoever hurt Bax, but Elle was right. It was time for Luca to start acting like a proper king, especially as his worldwide profile grew.
Aurora was about to ask Elle if there was anything she could do to help when her cell phone rang. She saw it was Beth and she answered nervously.
“Beth? Is everything okay?”
Beth sighed. “Not really. There is blood and glass everywhere and the paramedics made a mess and I have no idea what to do, Ror. I'm afraid to touch anything! Is this some kind of royal crime scene?”
“Right, don’t touch anything. I’m on my way,” she said as she hung up the phone. “Elle, I need to go home. Tell Luca I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Wait!” Elle grabbed her by the wrist. “You can’t go home. I’m going to make a call to INTERPOL. They handle situations like this. It is better you do not touch anything in your apartment. Tell your friend to meet you at the Park Royal on Central Park West. There will be a room under the name Elle Bisset waiting for you when you arrive.”
“Elle, I can’t afford that,” Aurora said, trying to hide her panic.
“It will be paid for. Just go, take a long hot bath. Relax. And if an INTERPOL agent contacts you, tell them everything that happened. We will take care of the rest.”
“Thank you, Elle. Thank you for everything,” Aurora said with another hug. “Please… let Luca know where I am. And that I’m coming back.”
Aurora had no idea what was going on… but she had never been so scared in her life.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Later that night, Luca opened his drowsy eyes, only to discover that Aurora was not there. Alone in a cold hospital room, he felt the pain on his chest, but it was nothing compared to the ache of Aurora’s absence. They hadn’t finished their conversation earlier, and he was eager to hear what she had to say, but he knew he should be focused on other things right now. Like figuring out who the hell was trying to kill her. It was obvious now that she had been the target of the hits all along, but why the hell would someone want to kill Aurora?
As he lay there in the hospital bed, trying to think of any reason, he heard the sound of someone approaching him room. He felt a quick tinge of fear, especially because he was completely immobile, but he was happy when he saw Elle walk in the room. Except… she looked even more upset than he was expecting.
“Poor Luca,” she said, noticing the large bandage on his chest. “What have they done to you?”
“Nothing I can’t survive,” he said with a sad smile. “Have you seen Aurora?”
“She had to leave,” Elle informed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Her friend called from their apartment and I sent them to a hotel, so they could be safe. I’m sorry, mon cher.”
“That was a good idea. Where’s Bax?”
“I’m not sorry just because she left,” she said nervously. “You should also know that Bax was hurt.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, trying to sit up even though the pain prevented him from doing so.
“Some people beat him up very badly,” Elle continued. “They wanted to know if you were with Aurora. They threatened to kill me if he didn’t say.”
Luca’s jaw stiffened. “Did he tell them?”
“
Of course not! And because of it, he’s got three broken ribs and a fractured jaw. They did everything in their power to get answers from him and in the end, they knew where Aurora lived anyway. I think they just wanted to cause him, and you, pain, Luca.”
“I don’t know what is going on, Elle. I don’t understand why someone is so intent on killing Aurora and hurting everyone close to me.”
“I do not understand, either. But whoever it is seems quite intent on isolating you from everyone who loves you. Speaking of which, as soon as the doctor’s clear Bax, he is going to return to Moreno to heal. He is also going to set about organizing an elite team of bodyguards for you because it is madness that you wander around unguarded.”
Luca could no longer disagree with his friends, especially if people were going keep trying to pull shit like this. But he was too tired to consider it.
“I can’t think about this right now,” Luca claimed. “What about you? Are you leaving, too?”
“I’m staying here for a few more days, just in case Grace wakes up,” she said. “I’m so sorry, Luca. I feel like there is more we could have done to prevent this.”
“That’s insane, Elle. Some psychopath is to blame. Not you. Not Bax.”
Elle reached out and gingerly held Luca’s hand. “Just rest, Luca,” she interrupted. “Don’t exhaust yourself with this now.”
Suddenly, a light knock on the open door drew both of their attention. A tall, stocky man with a badge in his hand was standing in the doorway.
“Good evening, sir,” he said, his voice gravelly. “I’m Sam Cross, with INTERPOL. Can you answer a few questions for me?”
“Here we go again,” Luca hummed.
“I should give you some privacy,” Elle murmured, rising from the bed. “Feel better, Luca.”
“You’re a really brave man, your majesty,” Cross remarked, pointing down at the bandage. “I was just in Miss Brewster’s place and its chaos. Can you think of anyone who would try to assassinate her?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Luca said sleepily, the drugs they’d given him kicking him. “Someone rammed my limo in Moreno as well. She was in it,”
“She mentioned that, too, when I spoke to her.” Cross nodded. “Pardon me for asking, but…” He paused. “Are you two in a relationship?”
“That’s a complicated question,” Luca confessed. “Why?”
“Because, to me, it looks like you’re the reason someone wants her dead,” Cross explained matter-of-factly. “Something seems to happen to her every time you’re around,”
“I’ve noticed that,” Luca admitted. “But please, don’t ask me the same questions they asked me in Moreno, okay? I’m tired and would rather not rehash the same things over and over again.”
“I understand, your majesty, but please understand. This is an entirely new investigation and I do not trust the work of the Bryce police in this matter. I need to know who could have a grudge against you. Perhaps someone you’ve wronged, mistreated…?” Cross asked.
“This is ridiculous,” Luca grumbled. “I haven’t screwed anyone over, alright?”
“I believe you have and perhaps you just don’t realize it,” Cross disagreed. “Your relationship with her has pissed someone off enough to have her killed. This person is close to you. They may be even closer than you think. What about your lawyer? Does he know about you and Miss Brewster?”
“He knows everything,” Luca whispered. “Why don’t you go pay him a visit? He’s right across the hallway, all beat up and bloody.”
“Interesting,” Cross squinted at him. “So… this person is aware of your relationship with your lawyer.”
“He was assaulted,” Luca informed. “They did a real number on him. Go ahead. See for yourself.”
“I will, later. Your parents are…”
“Dead,” Luca finished his sentence.
“Do a favor for me, will you?” Cross requested, pulling a card out of his right pocket. “Get some rest and give me a call when you feel better. Don’t worry, your majesty. We’ll get that son of a bitch. And in the meantime, get some damn security, will you? You’re a king, not a taxi driver.”
Chapter Thirty
Unable to deal with the stress of just lying around in a hospital while someone was out there trying to kill Aurora, Luca demanded that he be released against medical orders. The hospital fought him tooth and nail, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. As soon as he got out, he tried to call Aurora, but she wasn’t answering her phone. He got in touch with Elle, who told him that Aurora was safe at the hospital with her. Elle said that Aurora was in good hands and he should take care of his business with the art gallery while he still had time to do so. There was no arguing with her logic; with Bax out of commission, and a team of bodyguards en route to Manhattan, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish much without being interrupted soon. He needed to get the gallery show squared away, so he could focus on what was really important…
And that was Aurora.
Luca was making his way back to the hotel and just about to call the gallery when he received a phone call from Peter Brown first.
“Mr. Brown. I was just about to call you. I’m sorry about…”
Brown interrupted him. “I heard about your terrible accident! What a tragedy. I’m most sorry, your majesty.”
He was talking a-mile-a-minute, and Luca found it more than a little odd that he called what had happened, “an accident.”
“Yes, well, these things happen. Mr. Brown, I’d really like to get everything wrapped up with the gallery, so I can get back to Moreno.”
“Of course! Indeed! Why don’t you come out to my mansion in Westchester? We can have lunch! You can meet my family. It will be a lovely afternoon.”
Luca stopped in front of his hotel and saw there was a car idling at the front entrance. The driver waved at him. “You already sent a car for me?”
“I did! Please come, your majesty. It will be an afternoon you will never forget.”
Luca sighed and agreed, though the last thing he wanted to do was spend any amount of time driving to and from Westchester or meeting the Brown family. He was tired, in pain and wanted to see Aurora as soon as possible. But the sooner he relented, the sooner it would all be over.
After an hour in the car, the limousine rolled to a halt outside the luxurious estate in Westchester. It was even larger than the surrounding houses, drowned in greenery, with a large swimming pool in the back. There was also a surprising amount of security stationed at every entrance, which was something he had not expected. They were heavily armed and based on their build and demeanor, likely well-trained.
This is a lot of security for a gallery owner, Luca thought as he exited the car and approached the house. Before he could even knock on the door, a short, elderly man in a butler’s uniform emerged with a dour expression.
“Good morning, sir,” he said in a clear, British accent. “How may I help you?”
“Edward, I have this,” Brown interjected, his voice echoing in the hall as he approached. “Good morning, your majesty. Come on in.”
“Good morning,” Luca answered curiously as he entered the mansion. “Quite a place you have here. But what’s with the security?”
“Come with me,” Brown said cordially, ignoring his question. “My daughter can’t wait to see you. She’s been anxious for this meeting ever since you arrived in New York.”
Brown gestured for Luca to follow him up a large, ornate staircase, but he paused hesitantly. “I would prefer to deal with the paintings first. Perhaps we could do the introductions later?”
Brown just smiled. “In due course, your majesty. In due course.”
The gentleman didn’t say anything else; he just started walking, forcing Luca to follow or be left behind in the entryway. They walked up the stairs, and then down a series of hallways, until they reached a massive library, which took up the entire end of house. Brown opened the door and just stood there until Luca walked past him a
nd into the library.
“I’m going to leave you two alone,” he said, his voice jovial.
Luca found the library to be spacious, but somewhat dark and cold. He saw the outline of a woman standing behind a Japanese curtain in the corner and expected that was Brown’s daughter, but she wasn’t making a move to come out. It was irritating him, and he wasn’t in the mood for games.
“Miss Brown, I presume? If you come out, we can speak, and then I can begin my conversation with your father about the paintings. I have quite a lot to do in the city before I return to Moreno.”
“Actually… It’s Miss Collins-Brown,” she answered from behind the curtain. Luca’s stomach dropped all the down into his feet as a familiar voice washed over him with the strength of a tsunami.
“Ruby?” he managed to choke out.
She sauntered out in front of him, her tight red dress clinging to every curve, her hair braided up into tight bun, making her look more severe than usual. She had a smug smile on her face that sent chills down to Luca’s very core.
“I can’t believe it’s that much of a surprise, Luca.”
Luca took two measured steps back toward the door, but found that they had been quietly shut behind him and locked to boot. “You didn’t think it would be a surprise that you had lied about your name, come to New York, and manipulated me into meeting with you by pretending to give a shit about my art? What the hell do you want, Ruby?”
Ruby sat down in a plush red armchair and gestured for Luca to join her. When he didn’t budge, she shrugged and continued anyway. “I simply want you to see what you should have seen when we were dating. That I am the only person who is good enough for you. I am the only woman fit to be the Queen of Moreno.”
Luca snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “What the hell makes you think you are fit to be anything to me? You are a secretary who lied about her identity. I don’t know shit about you.”
“Executive assistant,” she corrected. “And did or did not your little American distraction also lie about her identity? At least I lied to make myself lesser. I am the daughter of a baroness and a captain of industry. She makes bagels in a basement.”
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