Page 40 of Depths of Obsession
“Show me all of them,” Renzo reiterates.
“Some of them are closed now but if you want to see them, you can.” I pull them up and put them on rotation on the monitors.”
Renzo, Nico, and Mia watch the images flit by. I have no idea why he wants to see all the clubs but whatever. I look at each one with a critical eye. Mexico City is looking a bit shabby. I make a mental note that it needs a bit of refreshing. Honolulu also could use some love. Singapore looks good. Dubai is very chic and on point. Hopefully, that will be enough to save it once the cops let me re-open. I would hate to have to shut it down and redo it entirely before reopening.
Renzo turns to me. “You’ve built an empire all on your own. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“You have never been a huge fan of my clubs. I didn’t think it was necessary to bring it up if you weren’t going to support it. I managed to figure it out on my own. I don’t need your help to succeed.”
Renzo stares at me. “You don’t need it, but it might have made things a bit easier for you. I do have reach and power outside of here.”
“It just wasn’t necessary,” I say. I’m not sure why he’s upset but it’s obvious to me that he is.
“Just wasn’t necessary,” he repeats. Then he shakes his head and turns to go. “I will look into this Black Heart drug and see if I can find out anything.” He gets in the freight elevator, Mia beside him. Nico claps me on the back and gets in as well. “Be careful, Luca. You have a very powerful enemy out there who wants to do you harm. That’s no small thing.” With that he hits the button and the elevator disappears.
I return my attention to the screens. I know I have an enemy, but the question is why? What did I do to them? And when? Am I fighting an immortal or is it someone I pissed off without even knowing. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done that. Surely if they are this angry I would remember something, wouldn’t I?
I start running through a list of enemies in my head like I’ve done many times since all of this started. Not one stands out that would be alive today to exact revenge. Not one. There were a few who probably didn’t deserve what I did and many more that did. The only one I regret deeply is Vittoria. Guilt still clouds my soul. It’s been over three hundred years. I don’t think I will ever get over the guilt and regret for what happened. It’s one of the reasons I will not let Pippa down. She does not deserve what happened to Vittoria. No one does, and I will do everything in my power to keep it from happening, even if it means disobeying my brothers.
I will not make that mistake again.
CHAPTER 13
Iopen my eyes as Luca enters the room. He immediately disappears into the bathroom, and the shower begins running. I try not to hyperventilate. I’ve been trying to remain calm since they’d all left the room but I just can’t.
Vampires?
It’s straight out of a movie. It’s ridiculous. When Mia came in earlier to tell me Mama was out of surgery, I asked her again. I pleaded with her to help me get out of here but she just gave me a sad little smile and then said she was sorry I had to find out that way, or at all, but I should just adjust because it’s not so bad. Luca would protect me and keep me safe. But who will keep me safe from him?
The water stops running, and I turn my back to the bathroom door and hold my breath. Maybe if I feign that I’m sleeping he’ll just leave again.
He enters the room and comes over to the bed. “It’s no sense pretending you’re asleep. I can hear your heartbeat and smell your fear. Adrenaline also has a slight smell. It’s shooting through your veins right now. You will be cold when it wears off.”
I turn and stare at him in the relative darkness of the room. He is naked and his body is incredible. I swallow, trying to keep focused on his face. “You can hear my heartbeat?”
“Of course. I’m a vampire. Our senses are heightened.”
He moves around to the other side of the bed and slides in beside me.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I demand.
“I’m getting into my bed. I need sleep,” he says calmly as he adjusts the pillow behind him.
“But I’m here,” I say, my heart beating faster.
“So you are.” His lips turn up at the corners and his emerald eyes twinkle at me. “Do try and keep your heart from thundering all night long. It’s rather loud and I don’t want to be kept awake.”
I stare at him as I struggle to sit up and look around for something to cover me. I’m wearing a man’s button down shirt, presumably one of Luca’s because it smells like him but that’s all I’m wearing. I have no idea what happened to my clothes. Finally, I swing the blankets off me and move to get off the bed, but Luca’s arm comes across my hips and pins me to the mattress.
“What the hell?” I try to get away but his arm is like a steel band. He’s not hurting me but I can’t escape. Panic grips me and icy fingers encircle my heart. I try not to look at him, into his deep green eyes. I don’t want to see the knowledge in his gaze that I’m trapped like I can never escape him.
“Little one, you are sleeping here with me. I can keep you safe better if I am with you.”
“Safe from what?” I argue as I try and move his arm.
“Gazzago has not gone away. If anything, he wants to move the wedding up. Renzo is running interference, but it is a situation we are going to have to deal with.”
My breath bursts from my lungs. “Seriously? He’s not letting this go?”
