“He could shoot me. He doesn't have to be in here to do that.”
“He’d have to get through me first.” And it was at that very moment that I knew I would step in front of a bullet for her. That somehow, she'd joined the very short list of people I would protect with my life.
Wrapping her arms around her middle, she retreated from me until she was out of arm's reach. She didn’t seem reassured. Instead, she appeared shaken.
“I’m going to lock you in. If anyone besides me or Enzo comes in here, hide in the bathroom until I get back.”
After a brief pause, she nodded. “Okay.”
I met her eyes briefly as I closed and locked the bedroom door behind me. I didn’t think Gino would harm her if he somehow managed to get into this house without my knowing about it, but I wasn’t about to take any chances. Then I took both keys and locked them in the safe in my room. In the kitchen, I moved the blinds aside and looked out the window, catching the taillights of a black sedan going around the curve to Luca’s. Gino’s car. I’d beaten him here by only a few minutes. Was he here for Luna? Or for me? For breaking into his house?
Only one way to find out.
Grabbing my jacket from the back of the chair where I’d left it, I put it on and locked Luna inside the house.
By the time I arrived at Luca’s, everyone was gathered in the great room, just inside the door. I quietly closed the front door behind me and stood in front of it, blocking the exit. Luca was directly across from me, Enzo to his right and a step behind him.
Gino and three of his men stood with their backs to me. I had no reaction to being so close to one of my childhood abusers. I'd learned to shut off anything I felt toward him or the others years ago.
Luca was speaking. “—why you think she would come here.”
Gino put his hands in the air, palms up. “I don’t know where else she would go. She’s not with her brother. I’ve had my men following him for the last twenty-four hours. She’s not there. And your boy is the only other person she’s spoken with sinceshe’s come here.” It wasn’t an accusation. Not quite. But the implication was there.
“Perhaps she’s hiding in his—” Luca glanced around, searching for an answer on the walls. “—apartment? House?”
“Dorm,” Gino answered. “He’s in college.”
“Dorm, then,” Luca said.
“She’s not there. We searched the building.”
Luca lifted his eyebrows. “The entire building?”
“I’m very thorough.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Luca studied him. “Maybe you should just let her go.”
I couldn’t see Gino’s expression, but I saw the way his shoulders drew back. “That’s not an option. She owes me a debt, and she hasn't paid it off yet.”
Luca looked around him to me, standing silently in front of the door. “Tristan, have you seen Luna? She appears to be missing.”
“No,” I answered immediately.
“There.” Luca shrugged one shoulder. “We haven’t seen her.”
“I’d like your permission to search your house. And his.” He glanced over his shoulder at me.
Luca’s expression hardened, but he didn’t move a muscle or raise his voice. “That’s not going to happen. She is not here.”
Enzo’s hand went to his gun as Gino’s men did the same.
Gino laughed a little, looking around at the circle of men. “Please, please. No need for dramatics. But I think a search is necessary, Luca. You have a big place. She could be hiding somewhere, and you wouldn’t even know it.”
“As I said, that’s not happening.”
“How will I know for sure she’s not here if I’m not allowed to have my men take a look around?”
Luca didn’t budge. “You’re going to have to take my word for it.” It was a simple request, but everyone heard the underlying threat. Luca was the boss. Doubting his word was a very serious offense. He’d been extremely patient with Gino up until now, but his patience was at an end.
