Page 121 of Diary of a Mafia Princess

I wondered if she’d even tried to see me since I’d been banished here. Seemed doubtful, or Virginia surely would have told me. They would be at the wedding, I was sure. They would want everyone to see the Matish family joining with the Guerras.

But until then, until it benefited them, I clearly wasn’t a concern, despite the fact they’d delivered me to the devil’s lair.

A commotion in the hallway had me pulling my robe across my chest and belting it tight, like that might keep out the prying eyes of the men outside my door. It was early, too early for Lynx to be here, and Luca was still off wherever he was, probably spending cash on new suits or expensive drinks. I hadn’t seen him since the night he’d brought me up here, patched me up, gave me some painkillers, then told me he was going away for a few days.

Lucky him.

Shouts came from outside the door, and I poked my head out.

My gaze slammed into Luca’s.

Viktor and Bruno dragged him along the hallway, his feet trailing behind him, too weak to even stand. He was naked, but I barely noticed that because he was covered in cuts and bruises and dried blood. Dirt and grime stuck to his sallow skin.

I covered a gasp, but he heard it, his eyes following me as they carried him past my room and into his.

Without even thinking about it, I followed. “What the hell happened to him?”

He looked like he’d been beaten and tortured for days.

“Go to your room, Miss Matish,” Bruno barked at me.

“I absolutely will not. What the hell have you done to him?”

The two guards didn’t even bother putting him on his bed. They dropped him on the floor just inside his room and turned around, the two of them facing me.

They were both twice my size in width, and they towered over me in height. Guns and knives were holstered at their hips, and they wore identical scowls, designed to be intimidating.

But in that moment, I wasn’t scared of either. “Let me see him.”

Viktor glanced at his brother.

He shrugged. “Mr. Guerra just said to put him in his room. He never said he couldn’t have visitors.”

“And I don’t care what Mr. Guerra said. I said let me see him.” I glared at them until they shrugged and walked out, shutting the door behind them.

I dropped to my knees, hands hovering over Luca crumpled on the floor. “Shit, Luca! What did they do to you?” I asked again, since nobody had answered my first question.

He rolled onto his back with a groan. “They did nothing. My father and uncle, however…”

I gasped. “Your own family did this to you?”

He laughed, though it was weak and dry-sounding. “Why are you surprised? Haven’t you worked out how it is around here? Every man for himself. Last names don’t matter much. No loyalty between thieves and all that.”

He clutched his side and groaned again. “Hey, I know we aren’t exactly friends, but could I ask one favor?”

I nodded quickly, horrified by the mess of cuts and bruises on his body. “Of course.”

“Could you get me a drink, please? I haven’t had any water in probably two days.”

I gaped at him, then scrambled to my feet, rushing into the bathroom and grabbing the glass Virginia always left fresh on each bathroom counter. I hastily filled it with water from the faucet and then hurried back to Luca’s side, not caring that I sloshed liquid over the rim and that it dripped down my hand and onto the carpet.

I knelt back at his side and held it to his lips.

He stared up at me. “As much as I like you taking care of me, your hand is shaking so much I’m a bit scared you’re going to drown me. Let me sit up.”

“Shit, sorry. Here, let me help you.” I put the glass down and waited a beat, just to make sure it wasn’t going to spill on the carpet, and when it didn’t, I offered Luca my hand.

To my surprise, he took it. I helped pull him up then tried again with the glass, this time offering it to him to hold rather than putting it to his lips.