Page 73 of Depths of Obsession
A shiver runs down my spine. In that moment, I feel like prey, with Luca as the predator—a hunter about to pounce. I’ve never felt more alive, or more terrified.
“You look… delectable,” he says, his voice rough, the word rolling off his tongue like a promise as he comes to a stop in front of me. He steps closer, his presence overwhelming, his heat wrapping around me. My skin tingles, and I have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. “I almost like this better than your bra and thong,” he murmurs, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Almost.” He leans in, brushing his lips against my cheek before moving past me.
“Thanks,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. My mouth is dry, my heart hammering. This is going to be a long night. Luca looks like some kind of dark god in that tuxedo, and being near him is going to be pure torture. I blow out a breath, trying to steady myself. “Um…Marcello is here,” I blurt out. “He is representing someone who really wants the necklace. I’m afraid he’s going to ruin everything.”
“Don’t worry, little one, we’ll deal with Marcello. I need you to stay here. I have to work with Nico and Rocco to set up surveillance. His knuckle grazes my cheekbone, the touch so gentle it makes my heart ache. “Don’t worry,cara. You’ll be safe. I promise.”
There’s something in his voice, something raw and genuine, that makes me believe him. His touch, his words—they unlock something inside me, lifting some of the weight I’ve been carrying. It’s been so long since I felt this… light.
Luca disappears into the crowd and with him my feelings of euphoria. My heart aches. I’m in love with my husband and yet, somehow, that’s a bad thing. I come crashing down to earth with a thud when I catch a glimpse of Marcello with the woman I recognize as Ria Tailor. If she’s his benefactor, it’s going to get ugly. I don’t want or need any more ugliness. Maybe I should find Luca and Nico.
I look around again but I don’t see them. I don’t see Marcello either. What I do see are the doors. This is my chance. Calaba’s not going to auction off a fake. These people would kill him. I have the papers I need. I glance at my watch. If I hurry, I can still rent a car and head to Switzerland. I don’t need to be a part of this anymore. Luca and Nico don’t need me here. I can call Luca later and…deal with everything.
Time to go.I start heading toward the door. Please God, let me get out of here and away from Milano in one piece. Let me start over somewhere else, somewhere new where I won’t have to worry about marriage and debt. I approach the door and smile at the man who let us in. “I?—"
A hand grabs my arm. I whirl around and come face to face with the devil himself.
CHAPTER 24
Do you have eyes on the entrance?I ask Nico telepathically as I weave through the crowd gathered at the entrance of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the towering structure casts long shadows across the piazza. The night air is thick with the scent of nearby trattorias and the golden lights of the historic glass-domed shopping gallery glow like a beacon against the dark Milano sky.
Yes,comes Nico's swift response.
Of all the times to be late. Being arrested and then dealing with the horrendous traffic—there was no way I could have gotten here faster without drawing unwanted attention. But now, having seen Pippa, relief soothes the edge of my anxiety. She's safe, she's here, and after this chaos, I can't wait to celebrate our marriage properly tonight. I have plans for her, plans that have kept me going through this hellish day.
Have many people entered?I ask, focusing on the task at hand, urgency prickling under my skin.
No one as yet. Looks like Calaba hasn’t put out the word that it’s time for the auction.
I scan the bustling crowd, trying to locate Nico. He’s always been the best at hiding in plain sight, and he loves rubbing that fact in my face. He says it’s about making your energy small, so people just look past you. I have no idea how he does it.
To your left,Nico says, a smirk clear in his voice, as if he knew exactly what I was doing.
I casually glance left, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter to blend in. There he is—standing next to an elderly woman dripping in diamonds and fur, her laughter carries over the noise of the crowd. Her hair is dyed an unnaturally light shade of blonde, almost white, and her skin is unnaturally taut, puffed from too many visits to the plastic surgeon. The older ladies always love us Valdici men. It’s a phenomenon I’ll never understand.
I should have known you were trying to find a date,I think at Nico, flashing a grin and hiding it behind my champagne glass.
Funny,Nico growls back, his eyes narrowing.
I suppress a chuckle, turning my attention to the main entrance of the Galleria. The place is opulent, the intricate iron-and-glass ceiling above us a wonder of 19th-century architecture, reflecting the grandeur of its age. I station myself at a slight angle, making it look like I’m admiring a nearby storefront window. My attention split between blending in, watching the crowd, and keeping tabs on Pippa.
I’m in, boss. Rocco’s voice crackles in my earbud. If it weren’t so damn loud in here, I wouldn’t even need the tech—normally, I could hear him straight from the van parked down the block. But with the clinking of champagne glasses, the swell of conversations, and the occasional bursts of laughter, it’d take too much concentration to pick out his voice through the noise.
Relief floods me, easing some of the tension in my shoulders. I was worried he wouldn’t be able to hack into the Galleria’s security system. Now that he's in, neither Nico nor I have to waste time guarding the entrance. Rocco can handle it through the cameras.
Rocco’s in, we can relax,I say to Nico.
He nods.Where’s Pippa?
I left her in the same spot you did,I answer, trying to sound nonchalant, though I know I’m failing.
Nico steps up beside me, grinning, an almost teasing edge in his voice. “Oh, you’ve got it bad, little brother.”
“I damn well better. She’s my wife.” I feel a growl building low in my throat, thinking of how much I want her. All I can think about is ripping that dress off her, making her scream my name. It’s maddening.
About that, Nico says going back to our private channel but still having a smirk in his tone.Thanks for the wedding invite.
Funny,I reply, shaking my head.We’ll have a big wedding this summer. You can come to that one.
