Page 29 of Luca
Anyhow, none of it mattered any longer. I’d leave it all behind soon - one way or another.
I stood still by the window, watching the horizon mocking me with the freedom that was so close yet so far away. The sun set over the horizon, creating shadows of light. So fucking appropriate since there were shadows in my life that I could practically feel lurking all around me.
Sensing eyes on me, I huddled to the corner of the window, behind the shutters, letting my gaze wander over the tree line on the corner of the property. The side that I usually ignored, because the ocean was more tempting.
It was then that I saw a shadow. He cocked his head, turning his face up and staring straight at me. Ever so slightly, he raised his chin, but the moonlight wasn’t bright enough. It kept shadow over his features.
Yet somehow, his gaze pierced me anyway. It felt like sharp little needles grazing my skin. A flash of teeth, his mouth stretching into a wicked, self-satisfied smirk. My breath hitched in my throat, and my lungs filled with the heat of an inferno.
I held my breath and before I could figure out what to do, he turned around and walked away. Slowly. Purposeful.
The mysterious deaths of my fiancés had something to do with me. I was certain that I was somehow the end game. Except, I couldn’t even fathom why. After the fuck up with Cassio, which I felt in the grand scheme of things wasn’t even my fault, I accepted my fate. I’d marry a decent Irish man who’d help me raise my daughter.
I couldn’t decide whether or not I was happy that I was having a girl. Men fared much better than women in this world. Especially in the underworld. On the other hand, I loved the idea of having a little girl. I’d protect her and keep her away from the mafia. She was meant for something better. I’d guarantee it no matter what it cost me.
This life had never bothered me. Not until I was told who to marry. I should be able to decide who I would tie my life to or even if I wanted a husband at all. My daughter would never have to go through what I have if I have my way. How many times should one person have to be treated like a commodity before enough was enough? Starting with Cassio and ending with the last schmuck. At least Cassio was alive, the last four all died under mysterious circumstances.
It didn’t bode well for my reputation.
A heavy sigh left me. The demand by my uncle that I should marry and cutting off my access to all my funds until I was a married woman was a goddamn nightmare. It wasn’t my fault those fucking men dropped dead like flies. I had nothing to do with it. It was as if he was accusingmeof killing them.
Ugh, I had to get the hell away from here.
If I could at least get some of that money, I could get out and start fresh somewhere.
“What are you up to, Maggie?”
I whirled around at hearing my oldest brother’s voice. Aiden was the oldest of my three brothers. Also, my favorite. Of course, I’d never admit it to anyone. I loved all three of my brothers. Tyran and Kyran, being the twins, more often than not, had their own thing going and shared everything. Sometimes I swore they even shared a girlfriend.
Although I had no proof, I was pretty sure my suspicions were correct. Once, when I called them out on it, they just shrugged, shared a look, and walked away. If that wasn’t confirmation, I didn’t know what was.
“Nothing,” I answered my eldest brother.
He narrowed his eyes, blue like mine. He waited but when I refused to elaborate, he shook his head.
“Do I need to tell you I know you better than you know yourself?” he grumbled.
I rolled my eyes. “Do I need to tell you that you’re not my father?”
A dull ache pierced through my chest.Da.My father. His words rang in my ears.I’ll always know what you’re thinking, mo chailin milis. And you’ll always know that I love ya.
He always called me ‘my sweet girl’ and it always made me smile.
“I’m not Da,” Aiden agreed. “But you can tell me anything.”
Anything. Everything. Nothing.
Except that I couldn’t tell himthis. The disconnected memory of Da’s death and Mother’s betrayal. I couldn’t remember how I got to the hospital. I couldn’t remember how we even got home after Da picked me up from school. So how could they possibly believe me when I say Mother had a hand in Da’s death.
“About the baby, Maggie–”
I let out a heavy breath, then stopped him. “Aiden, if you’re going to ask me for the name of the baby's father again, don’t bother.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leaned against the wall. The movement reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t quite recall who. Not that it mattered.
“I wasn’t going to ask about the baby daddy,” he stated calmly. “But I know when you’re up to something. And you’re up to something.”
The thought has been brewing in my mind for a while but I didn’t know how to make it happen. So technically, I wasn’t up to anything. Not yet anyhow.
