Page 8 of Luca
Except, I couldn’t think with him in my space.
I took a step back. He took a step forward.
“You’ve grown up,” he said softly. “Bella.”
I blinked, then blinked again. He made it sound as if he knew me.
I inhaled slowly. Released it. Then repeated.
“I don’t know you,” I gulped.
He didn’t move. No emotion crossed his face, but something dark moved through his eyes that weren’t as dark as I initially thought. There were hints of hazel in them. Or the club lights were playing tricks on me.
I swallowed and tried to keep my voice steady with my next words. “Can you please back the fuck off?”
His lips lifted. He didn’t move, not even an inch.
“Scared, mia bella?” His finger came to my neck, gently sweeping over my thundering pulse. I held my breath as he massaged the vein, as if he was telling me he could end my life by slicing it.
A memory slammed through me, causing my knees to weaken. It felt like standing at the edge of the ocean, fighting hurricane waves. I’d have fallen to my knees, if he wasn’t quick to grab me around my waist.
“Benito King,” I rasped, internally shaking. But I refused to show it.
Real, volatile anger poured off him at those two little words, and it was freaking terrifying. There were demons in his eyes, and if I didn’t get the fuck out of here, one of them would consume me.
“That’s my father, not me,” he corrected me.
Of course, I knew that. He was too young to be him.
“Get outside, Margaret,” Da ordered in a hushed tone. “And hide.”
My heart beat fast, hurting my chest. He said something else too, but I couldn’t quite grasp it. I watched Da at the top of the stairs. One second he stood still, the next he tumbled down the stairs, blood smears trailing down to the bottom where he landed.
Mother’s voice echoed, but I couldn’t see her. There was one name that rang through the house. Benito.
I blinked, then blinked again. The memory felt disjointed.
An evil man stood over Da’s body. Dark eyes. Cruel smile.
I didn’t know Benito. Not then.
More words spoken. I just stared, blinking hard and my vision blurry. I didn’t want to lose Da. I had to watch him for as long as I could. But he wanted me to run. I turned to bolt too late.
“Where are you running to, little girl?” he purred, lifting me up into the air. My fingers clawed at his wrist. I gasped for air as he carried me, my feet dangling off the ground.
A cold blade pressed against my throat.
“Mamma,” I choked out, every syllable hurting my throat. She didn’t move.
My body jerked.
I swallowed, keeping my racing heart at bay. The memories were fuzzy and confusing, but there. I knew it was a memory. But how could I have forgotten it?
“Cassio King?” I choked out, fighting my way back from the memory.
He shook his head. “Luca.”
The name sent a tremor through me. The force of his presence skimmed down my spine. His cologne invaded my lungs. Everything about him caused something dark and tingling to seep through my pores.
