Tempted by Deception (Deception Trilogy #2) - Rina Kent Page 0,101
so obvious.
I once told him that one of the cameras near the staff’s entrance has a delay in recording. I only found out because Rai mentioned it, saying they don’t use it that much, anyway, since most staff are live-in.
Luca must’ve used that information to get in. I don’t think the shooter is him, but I have no doubt that he’s somewhere near.
The first time I met Luca was in elementary school. He was adopted and hated it, and since his parents were of Italian heritage and I missed Italy, I wanted to be friends with him. I told him I’d lost my parents and he said he’d also lost his mom and dad, and that’s how we bonded. However, Luca always played in the background, even then.
He was secretive when we were young, but whenever he pulled a prank or took revenge on the kids who bullied him, he made sure to be present to watch.
That’s why I’m positive he’s here somewhere, and I need to stop him before he really takes care of Adrian.
I remain on the threshold between the back of Sergei’s house and the staff entrance, and find that the camera is not blinking at all.
My hand reaches to my gun and I snap the silencer on. Yan gave it to me in case I’m in a situation where the place is full of people and I don’t want anyone to hear. No idea why this feels like such a situation.
With careful steps, I walk into the small backyard that’s overlooking a wire fence.
I stop when I find Luca whisper-yelling at another man who’s bulkier than him with a long scar running down his right cheek. “You fucking fool. You had one mission.”
“Luca…” I breathe.
He and the man snap their attention toward me at the same time. Both are dressed in army fatigues and Luca has a mask and a baseball cap on.
“She stopped me.” The scarred man points at me with a sneer. “Fucking bitch.”
“Duchess.” Luca’s nostrils flare. “Are you protecting Adrian?”
I widen my stance, staring behind me to make sure no one is there. “I never told you I wanted him killed.”
“Well, I do. So don’t fucking get in my way again.”
I don’t know what comes over me as I raise the gun and point it at him. “I will not let you hurt him, Luca.”
“My, my, Duchess. You’ll kill me for him?”
“I don’t want to. Don’t make me.”
“What if I tell you he’s been using you all along? That he’s on the side of your parents’ murderer.”
My hand falters on the gun as his words sink to the bottom of my stomach. “W-what?”
“Here’s your truth, Lia. Adrian is only with you because he’s an ally to your father. The same father who ordered a hit on your parents in Italy.”
“You’re…just saying that because I refuse to help you anymore.”
“I’m saying that so you’ll wake the fuck up. Adrian is not on your side—never was, never will be. He’s merely serving his and the Bratva’s agenda, and keeping you as a trump card for being Lazlo Luciano’s illegitimate daughter.”
My head spins and the hand holding the gun trembles.
No. Luca is being spiteful. None of this is true. It can’t be.
“I’m out of here.” The scarred man’s voice is like nails scratching against my brain. “I’ll kill Volkov next time.”
“You fucking better,” Luca mutters.
My mind is trapped in a maze and a blow of undecipherable emotions bursts through me. Only one remains, though, as I aim the gun at the scarred man’s nape and shoot.
I didn’t even have to think about it. Hearing him say that he’d come back for Adrian’s life was enough to propel me to action. I had to stop him. To protect my husband and my baby’s father, despite Luca’s words.
Due to Adrian’s strict training, I don’t miss. The bullet lodges itself in the back of the man’s head, causing him to fall face-first on the ground. The thud is loud in the silence as he stops moving, stops breathing.
Just stops.
Oh, God.
I…killed a man. I just killed someone. A person.
And yet, no feelings wash over me. Maybe I’ve lost my soul now and there’s no way I’ll get it back.
I had to protect Adrian. I just had to.
Luca glares at me. “What the fuck, Duchess?”
“Give me evidence.” My voice is calm considering the shaking of my hand. “When I make sure your words are true, that I’m merely a pawn in his game, I’ll kill Adrian myself.”