Page 128 of Luca
I shook my head. We passed a security room next. Empty, one guard slumped over with a bullet in his temple. My eyes were drawn to the screen. It showed Luca. Tied to the chair, his head hanging low. Blood pooled around him on the ground. He didn’t look good.
“Is he still alive?” I rasped, my heart twisting in my chest. There were three men in there, probably men who worked for Marchetti. Of course, none of them were him. I never thought Marchetti did his own torturing but something was telling me he certainly had a stomach for it. I’d stake my life on it.
Aiden followed my gaze. “Yes. He’s a tough fucker.”
I raised my eyes to meet my brother’s gaze. It was only now that I saw dark shadows spread under his eyes. I knew my brother well. Once I reached out, he probably scouted the entire city and got Marchetti’s schedule down to the second.
“Aiden,” I started, keeping my voice low.
“Huh?”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “To all three of you.”
Aiden’s lips curled and his expression softened. “You’re family. You’ll always be family, Sis. Both you and my niece. Regardless of the last name you carry.”
I swallowed, thankful for my brothers. I was luckier than a lot of other girls in our world. Most men in the underworld saw girls as a means to use them for alliances or distraction. My brothers had always protected me and taken care of me.
We made our way into the basement. The scent of blood and mold lingered in the air. The dim lights barely lit the way, but then most people that roamed this place probably knew their way around blindfolded.
I peeked through one door and a small gasp left me. Cassio, Luciano, and Sasha each laid on a small, metal bed fully clothed, their feet crossed and their arms behind their heads.
“Psst.” The soft sound was barely a whisper.
The three sets of eyes instantly landed on the door. Relief washed over Cassio’s expression. Exasperation on Sasha’s. And exhaustion on Luciano’s.
All three jumped to their feet.
“Fuck, I hoped you wouldn’t show,” Sasha whispered. “Bombing this place with my brothers would be so much fun.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Cassio muttered. “He’s crazy.”
“Woman, just get us out of here,” Luciano grumbled softly. “My wife is probably missing me. I know I’m missing her.”
“You wish your wife was missing you,” Aiden taunted, then kneeled down, his face parallel to the lock. “She’s probably relieved to be a widow.” Luciano growled, but before he could say anything else, Aiden stopped him. “Now everybody shut up so I can focus on picking this ancient lock.”
It took him less than a minute to get it open. The moment the door opened, Cassio pulled me into a hug. “Thank you, Margaret. I know I’m the last person you want to save. We–”
I stopped him. “Save it. None of it matters. Let’s just grab Luca and get the hell out of here.”
He gave me a terse nod. At least our numbers were greater now.
All of us shifted to the last cell in the hallway. We lingered by the last door, grunts and sharp words traveling through the air.
“I go in first,” Aiden whispered faintly. Cassio looked like he wanted to protest but Aiden stopped him, his palm facing him. “You guys were locked up for days. I’m our best bet.”
“You wish,” Sasha grumbled faintly.
“Ignore him,” I croaked. “We need to grab Luca and get the fuck out of here before Marchetti shows up. You guys can do a testosterone competition some other time.”
Aiden handed his spare gun to Cassio, I gave mine to Sasha and then handed my knife to Luciano. “I’m not good with knives,” I murmured.
“You don’t say,” he remarked wryly. “You women go chasing your freedom and come back experts at stealing and killing.”
I gave him a blank look. “He’s talking about someone else,” Cassio whispered. “Now everyone, keep your focus.”
All of us, somewhat armed, shared a glance. With a sharp nod from Aiden his boot flew out and kicked the door open. Efficiently, like they’d practiced this million times, the men moved in sync, killing the guards in the room who were caught unaware. The best I could do was stay behind and let them do their thing. Áine and I were accustomed to fighting together, but with these men, I’d only be in the way.
My eyes landed on Luca, while my brother eliminated Marchetti’s men with a gun, his silencer making it all seem like a mime event. Grunts caused by Luciano stabbing another one, then snapping his neck to keep him silent. One man stumbled onto the floor. The other man fell backwards. The third man kneeled down, his face smashing against the concrete wall. So appropriate that he’d die with his face in Luca’s blood.
