Page 2 of DeLuca: The Devil

He doesn’t bother with even a hello before lighting his cigar. I hate the smell of cigars. My father knows it bothers me, but he doesn’t care. Anthony Baretti does whatever the hell he wants and doesn’t give a shit who likes it.

“I have a job for you,” he finally says.

Crossing my legs, I sit back in the chair with an arched brow, “I don’t work for you. I never have.”

Running a hand through his hair, he snaps, “You do now.”

He glares at me, “You’re going to find out everything you can on Domenic De Luca. We’re going to take his business. You are going to help me.”

I cross my arms over my chest in defiance, “Are you crazy? The De Luca’s are vicious. They are the most dangerous men in the country. Maybe in the world. No way.”

He rises from his chair and walks over to me.

I’m frozen in fear when he pulls his gun from his waistband and presses it against my forehead, “Either you do as you're told, or I’ll end your pathetic life now. You can join your mother six feet under.”

Ahh yes, the same threat every single time. He knows it will get my attention and force me to bend to his will because I know it’s a serious threat. While he hasn’t done it yet, I have zero doubt, if I push him, he will.

I want to remain strong and refuse, but I have a gun to my head, “I’ll do it,” I whisper.

He puts his weapon away and smiles sadistically, “I thought you might.”

“Why are you making me do this? Surely, you have employees who are less likely to get themselves killed?”

Again, he flashes that smile that makes me nauseous, “Either way, I get rid of one of my problems.”

I’m a problem? I have stayed away from him, only surfacing when ordered to do so, with no issue. I haven’t contacted him. I always behave myself. I don’t make a scene or do anything to shame the family.

I rise, “Is that all?”

He nods, “That’s it from me. He owns the nightclub, Devil. I would start there if I were you.”

Glaring at him, I say, “The De Luca’s are going to kill you. I only hope I live long enough to watch.”

He laughs, “You wound me, Giada.”

“What specifically do you need?”

Appearing pleased, he says, “That’s better. I need to know where his shipments come from. Who his suppliers are. Who he’s supplying to. Does he have a woman? Everything.”

“Why do you need to know if he has a woman?”

He smiles again, “Women are a man’s greatest weakness.”

I shake my head, “Really? Mother wasn’t a weakness for you.”

My father doesn’t respond, he only yells for Hector.

“We’re done here. Escort my daughter outside.”

As I storm out of his office, Hector grabs my arm.

I jerk my arm from him, “Take your fucking hands off me before you have my heel in your balls, asshole.”

Laughing, he removes his hand from me, “Outside. Now.”

I step out into the sunlight and tilt my head to the sky, letting the sun warm my skin. Every time I walk into my father’s mansion, I swear the temperature drops twenty degrees, and it’s not from the central air.

After getting into the car, I tell Javier to drive fast because I need to get away from this hell on earth. I’ve hated my father since that day. We were never close, but it was then the true hatred came to life. Every time we have been in the same room, I’m reminded of the role a female plays in the underworld. We have no real value. As my father has taught me, if we don’t find a way to be useful, our lives are extinguished. Quickly. Violently.

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