Page 11 of Devil's Embrace
I took one last look at the night sky, at the silver moon barely visible between the buildings.Somewhere, people were finishing their Halloween celebrations, heading home to safety and warmth.Somewhere, life was continuing as normal.
For us, everything changed in an instant.We took one wrong turn into an alley and glimpsed something dangerous.Now we were at the mercy of a man with ice in his veins and blood on his hands.
I climbed awkwardly into the back seat, my bound hands making it difficult to maintain balance.The killer placed Mina beside me, her small body immediately pressing against mine for comfort.Without my arms to hold her, all I could do was lean into her, trying to provide whatever reassurance I could.
"Remember."He closed the door, locking us in."Your behavior determines what happens next."
As he walked around to the driver's side, I whispered to Mina, so softly even she could barely hear, "I'll protect you.No matter what."
It was a promise I had no idea how to keep.But I would die trying.
Luca
I guided the sedan through the quiet streets, keeping well under the speed limit.No reason to draw attention with two hostages in the back seat.The woman—Emory—kept whispering to her daughter, empty reassurances that I could have told her were pointless.No one left my custody unless I decided they should.The child's unicorn costume caught my eye in the rearview mirror, the glittery horn tilted to one side.
"Be quiet."The whispering stopped immediately.
I took the turnoff that led away from the city, toward the hills where the Moretti compound sprawled across twenty acres of prime real estate.The roads grew darker, less populated.Perfect.The fewer people who saw this car with its unexpected passengers, the better.
The woman's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.Even in the dim light, I could see the fear in them, but something else too—calculation.She was looking for opportunities, weaknesses.Smart, but ultimately futile.
"Your zip ties too tight?"I noticed how she kept shifting her bound wrists.
"Yes."Her voice was steady despite her situation.Impressive.
"Good."I returned my attention to the road.Discomfort kept people compliant, off-balance.
The child—Mina—had stopped crying, but her breathing came in irregular little hiccups that punctuated the silence.The satin of her costume rustled with each tremor that passed through her small body.Her blonde hair had come loose from beneath the unicorn hood, falling across her face.
I turned onto the private road that led to the compound, tires crunching on the gravel.The high stone walls appeared ahead, topped with security cameras and discreet lighting that illuminated the perimeter without drawing attention.Two armed guards stood at the gate, straightening as my car approached.
I lowered my window as one stepped forward, recognition flashing across his face when he saw me.
"Mr.Moretti."He gave me a nod, then his gaze flicked to the back seat, widening slightly at the sight of the woman and child.To his credit, he didn't ask questions."Welcome home, sir."
I didn't acknowledge his greeting."Open the gate.And call ahead.Tell Marco and Vincent to meet me at the main entrance."
"Yes, sir."He stepped back, speaking rapidly into his radio as the massive iron gates swung open.
I pulled through, feeling the familiar sense of security that came with entering Moretti territory.Here, I controlled everything and everyone.The main house rose ahead, a sprawling Mediterranean-style mansion with strategic sight lines and multiple escape routes hidden within its elegant architecture.Security lights cast the marble driveway in a cold glow, highlighting the manicured landscaping that concealed additional security measures.
In the backseat, Emory's breathing quickened.I heard the sharp intake of breath as she took in the size of the estate, undoubtedly calculating just how far she was from help, from escape.
"Where are we?"she asked.
I didn't answer.Explaining myself wasn't a habit I cultivated.
I parked in front of the main entrance where Marco and Vincent waited, both dressed in tailored suits that didn't quite hide the weapons they carried.Their expressions remained neutral as I exited the car, but I caught the quick exchange of glances between them.Unexpected guests were rare, especially ones that included a child in a Halloween costume.
I opened the rear door."Out."
Emory struggled awkwardly, her bound hands making it difficult to maneuver with the child still stuck to her side.I reached in and gripped her upper arm, pulling her from the car with enough force to establish control but not enough to make the girl topple out.
"Watch them," I instructed Marco, transferring my grip on Emory to him."I need to make a call."
I stepped away, pulling out my phone while keeping my eyes on the captives.Emory stood rigidly in Marco's grasp, her hair disheveled, her cheap cat-ear headband askew.The child buried her face in her mother’s neck, leaving only the purple unicorn horn visible from my angle.Dirt from the alley smeared the costume, and tears soaked it until the fabric clung and shone wet in the dim light.
My call went unanswered—as expected.My uncle Mateo rarely picked up his phone after midnight unless the call came from his inner circle, which no longer included me.I'd have to deal with this situation on my own, at least for now.
