Page 10 of Depths of Obsession
I grimace, feeling the weight of my next words. “He doesn’t have it. He never had it.”
Incredulity twists Renzo’s face, eyebrows raised, lips slightly parted. “Are you serious? He was selling a necklace he didn’t even have to Tommy Gazzago? Is he that stupid, or does he have a death wish?”
Luca’s voice cuts in before I can answer, his tone flat and cold. “He was supposed to have it. It’s up for auction. Calaba’s running it. No word on the location or exactly when yet. He’s moving the necklace around and De Carlo was supposed to be one of the people who were holding it.”
Renzo’s eyes narrow. “Jesus. Who’s invited to this auction? Calaba’s a nightmare.”
Luca steps away from me, turning his attention to one of the screens on the wall, his gaze intent. “No idea,” he mutters.
My heart races at the mention of Marcello and the auction. The thought of that man makes my stomach churn. I catch Luca’s glance in my direction, his eyes dark, like he can feel my panic bubbling beneath the surface.
Renzo is right, Calabaisa nightmare. “Calaba spends a lot of money on art. He’s known for it. His personal collection rivals many small museums. If he’s running the auction, you can count on all the biggest names in the art world attending. At least those who don’t mind breaking the law and to be honest, that’s most art collectors.” I don’t bother to add that I know for a fact Calaba uses art to launder money as well. He’s been by the gallery a time or two and it always leaves me shaken. He’s a stone-cold killer. I’ve been around enough of them to know. Gianfranco Calaba is a scary man.
Renzo’s sharp voice breaks the silence. “The Queen’s Heart—why is it so damn famous?”
I clear my throat, trying to steady my voice. “It’s worth millions, but no one can claim it publicly. The Vatican, the Italian government, a slew of private collectors—they’d all want it. Museums would jump into the fray, too.”
Renzo arches an eyebrow. “The Vatican?”
I nod. “The legend is that the King of Sicily got the necklace from Pope Clement XI, as a reward for his help in the War of Spanish Succession, although no one is really clear on what that help was. Clement was so grateful that he had some jewels from Spain made into the Queen’s Heart and, with the King’s blessing, presented it to the Queen at a grand ceremony to celebrate God blessing the kingdom. If it resurfaces, the Vatican would likely claim it as theirs.”
Mia sighs softly. “So, if the necklace shows up, it could be a massive legal battle.”
There’s a long pause as everyone processes this information. I glance at Luca, watching the way his jaw tightens as he stares at the screen. Something’s going on between him and Renzo that I’m not privy to.
“What is it?” My voice is as tight as my shoulders, the tension in the room amplifying with each passing second.
Luca remains silent, his jaw clenched, and the weight of his unspoken thoughts presses down on me. His silence only accentuates the anxiety bubbling inside me. It feels like there’s a ticking clock, and I’m already out of time.
Mia leans forward, her expression softening in that way she does when she’s trying to be comforting but knows it’s not enough. “We need to figure out a way to get you out of this mess, Pippa.”
I let out a bitter laugh, more out of frustration than humor. “You think?” I shake my head, immediately regretting the sharpness of my tone. “Sorry. I just… I had no idea what Marcello was involved in, and now I’m caught up in something way beyond my control. I am such an idiot.” My voice falters as the enormity of it all threatens to crush me. I never saw any of this coming.
Mia frowns, her brows knitting together. “We’ll deal with Marcello later, but why do you think Calaba let him hold the necklace in the first place? It didn’t take De Carlo long to try and flip it. Calaba isn’t stupid. Why would he trust De Carlo?”
I pause, considering her question, trying to get my brain to focus on something other than the mess I’m in. “I don’t think he ever intended for De Carlo to actually hold it. Calaba’s too smart for that. He probably spread rumors about who had it, making it harder for anyone to track the necklace. If people think four or five different people are holding the necklace, it becomes a logistical nightmare to steal. I’m pretty sure Calaba used Marcello as a front, a decoy. Marcello’s ego probably made him think Calaba trusted him with something that valuable.”
Luca nods, his expression grim, his eyes sharp. “Exactly.”
“Who does have the necklace?” Renzo presses, his voice clipped through the computer’s speakers.
I wrap my arms around myself as a chill starts crawling up my spine. “I don’t know.” My words feel hollow, the uncertainty in my voice betraying my fear.
Luca adds, “Knowing Calaba, he’s made sure it’s impossible to steal. He doesn’t make mistakes.”
Mia leans forward, her eyes calculating. “If we can get the necklace, maybe we could use it to bargain for Pippa.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight. “That thing is worth a fortune. I can’t imagine Calaba letting it go for anything less than fifty million, and that’s being conservative. It could go for twice that easily.”
Luca raises an eyebrow. “Fifty million?” He tosses it out as if it’s an inconsequential number. “Why was De Carlo trying to sell it for two point five million then?”
“Because he had a limited window of opportunity, and he couldn’t offer it to many people. Gazzago was probably the first one to bite at his offer. The smell of desperation would drive the price down.”
Luca rubs his jaw, “Fifty million is doable.”
I know the Valdicis are rich beyond my wildest dreams. We always had money in my family…well, until recently. As a capo to the head ofla famiglia, my father was paid handsomely on top of what he made himself, but we don’t even come close to the money the Valdicis have. But spending fifty million on the necklace is not something I want them to do. Not for me. I cannot fathom the debt I would owe.
I hesitate, licking my lips as the room suddenly feels smaller, more suffocating. “There’s more to the story,” I say quietly. “The Queen’s Heart is also known as The Heart of Darkness. Every single person who’s owned it has come to a bad end. Pope Clement died not long after giving it to the Queen on the King’s behalf. She died soon after, and her sister didn’t last long either—some freak riding accident. Every time it resurfaces, the person who has it ends up dead. Owning that necklace… it’s just bad luck. Someone always dies.”
