Page 12 of Luciano (Belles & Mobsters 1)

“My resource sent me a message saying Alphonso's request got denied,” Luca chimed in.

My head snapped to him. Did that mean there was hope my wife was alive?

“They are keeping it low, but apparently a scripted message came indicating his niece was alive and well. With a picture taken within the last year, nonetheless.”

“A lot can happen in a year.” Cassio was trying to stop Luca from giving me hope, but I clung to it like a man dying of thirst. Yes, it was stupid considering she’d betrayed me. She probably wouldn’t hesitate to betray me again. If Grace was anything, it was loyal to a fault… just not to me.

“Agreed, but Alphonso Romano claimed his niece was killed over three years ago. His evidence was a three-year-old street surveillance footage with a gun pressed to her temple,” Luca responded. Silence lingered, and we all knew what surveillance Alphonso got his hands on. “By you, Luciano.” It was the footage from that day when I pulled a trigger on her. When I ignored her pleas and watched her tear freeze on her cheek, right along with my heart. “I’m sure you can appreciate the discrepancy in the story.”

I nodded. Someone didn’t want Alphonso to get his filthy hands on his niece’s fortune. The question was how would Alphonso get his hands on that piece of evidence. All of that surveillance data was wiped off, right after Grace was dropped off at the Romano doorstep.

“Could you get the picture?” I shouldn’t ask, but fuck it, why not?

“I thought you’d ask,” he muttered under his breath as he pulled out his phone. “Coming your way.”

My cell beeped, and I had never reached for my phone so fast. I swiped open the picture and enlarged the photo on my iPhone.

A familiar face of a young woman stared at me. A wide smile on her face as she glanced over her shoulder at whoever called out to her. Her face was free of make-up, her eyes a striking color against the blue of her dress. Her full lips tempted a saint; lush, red, and fuck, the naughty words she could come up with. I knew firsthand how good those lips could feel, especially around my cock. A twinge echoed in my chest, and I had to push it away, focusing back on the photo. She wore a light blue summer dress that made her eyes even more striking. She combined it with a large sun hat. I still remembered her fair skin complexion. She was always diligent about applying sunscreen and wearing hats, even in the middle of the winter.

Yes, it was my wife alright.

She didn’t seem heartbroken anymore. Her smile was radiant, her eyes twinkling, and whoever she glanced at must have been important to her. It was that peculiar look she had for people she loved or cared about. The soft look and intimate smile played on her face.

I studied the picture, noting a sign behind her. Zooming in on it, I tried to read it.See You Festival, Freiburg.

Germany? Was that where my wife was hiding?

“Is that really her?” Luca asked curiously. Raising my head, I noted Cassio studying the picture too. Nobody had ever seen her except for my family. It was by the design. First because I was using her and then because I was jealous as fuck. She was too young for me, but like a thief in the night, I took her and spoiled her for anyone else. I stole her innocence, enjoying every inch of her body while ruining her. And I’d be a fucking liar if I said I didn’t enjoy every goddamn second of it.

“Yes.” A curt answer as I felt the familiar jealousy brimming inside me.

“Fuck, she is hot,” Luca muttered, his eyes never leaving her photo on his phone. “I’d totally do her.”

One second my back was to him and the next I faced him, my arm choking the life out of him, his eyes full of surprise. I had no idea how it happened. It must have been a goddamn reflex. My body pinned Luca against the wall as my elbow pushed against his neck, the jealousy and rage swimming through my brain like a red smoky haze.

“Nobody will do her,” I growled in rage.

“Fuck, Luciano,” Cassio barked out, trying to peel me off his brother. Unsuccessfully. “Are you crazy?”

“Delete. Her. Picture.” My voice dripped with fury, ready to beat the living shit out of him.

“Jesus, man. Get yourself together,” Luca spoke, although his airflow was somewhat obstructed. “It was just an observation. I didn’t say Iwillfuck her.”

“Shut the fuck up, Luca,” Cassio scolded his younger brother. “Luciano, he’ll delete the picture. Actually, I’ll do it myself. Let go of him. And get yourself together.”

I took a step back, but I kept towering over Luca, the adrenaline rushing through my body. Three years and six months - and I still felt that raging possessiveness. Even worse than before, it would seem.

My wife would be the death of me, and she wasn’t even in the close proximity.

“Here! All deleted.” Cassio pointed the phone my way. He didn’t need to show me; I knew he’d do it. I gave him a jerky nod and then returned my attention to his brother.

“Don’t talk about my wife that way,” I gritted out.

He stared at me with a knowing look, but he didn’t know shit. Nobody did.

“So, she’s definitely alive,” Cassio muttered. “I hate to say this, Luciano, but if her uncle is trying to take all her inheritance, the likelihood she is working with him is slim.”

That crossed my mind, too, the moment I heard he was petitioning for my wife’s money.

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