Page 285 of The Devil's Fire

“He should be here soon. I was told to make sure you got something to eat, and you should also wear something comfortable that you can move around in.”

“What are we doing?”

“A small hint; you’re going to get your ass kicked.” Luca smiled slyly.

“I’m going to get my ass kicked?”

“Big time.” He said confidently, leaving me to wonder what it could be.

“Dare to make a friendly bet?” I suggested.

“It’ll be the easiest money I’ll make.” Luca grinned, making me playfully roll my eyes at him. “How much are we talking about?”

I took a few seconds to consider. I didn’t want to throw in a high number in case I actually lost.

“Hmm, let’s say fifty!” I extended my hand, and he shook it, sealing the deal with a smug grin.

“All right, fifty grand.” He said, and I choked on my spit as he leaned back in his seat once again.

“Wait, what?!” I gaped at him with my eyes wide.

“You just said fifty?”

“I meant fifty dollars! Not fifty thousand dollars!” I exclaimed. Was he out of his damn mind?!

“What am I supposed to do with only fifty dollars? I can’t even buy a decent meal with that. You already shook on fifty thousand. A deal is a deal.” He lounged back, hands behind his head, wearing a stupid smirk.

“Are you insane?! That’s a lot of money!” I tried to reason, but he just shrugged.

“You better not lose then.” Luca stuck his tongue out teasingly.

“I’m not betting that much!” I frowned and crossed my arms.

“A deal is a deal. Do you know what happens to those who don’t pay what they owe?” Luca leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs as he spoke.

“I think I have an idea.” I muttered, unsure when I saw Luca’s demeanor change. He stared at me with a psychopathic intensity I had never witnessed before.

“Trust me, you don’t. I fucking torture them. I slowly cut into their skin until they scream and beg for me to stop. But I love it when they beg. I feed off their screams. It only makes me want to keep going.”

His voice was low and cold, his expression turned dark and sinister as he looked at me like I was his very next prey.

I was startled by the sudden shift in his personality. Hell, he even made me want to run away.

“And that’s how you do it. Scary, right?”

I blinked a few times as I watched him return to his normal expression, with his usual smile.

“What the hell?! There’s no way it’s normal to switch personalities just like that.” I shrieked. “You definitely belong in the Mafia. You’re a lunatic!”

“I didn’t get to my position by being a softie. Why do you think Damiano assigned me to be your bodyguard? It’s because I’m very good at my job, actually better than good.”

“I’ve just never seen that side of you.” I chuckled.

“I know. I decided to keep it low-key after that night at the amusement park. You were pretty freaked out and almost fainted. I wanted to make it easy for you.”

“Aw, look at you being so considerate of me.” I gave an exaggerated, flattered look.

“Yeah, what can I say? You grew on me.” He let out a dramatic sigh with a teasing look.

---