Chapter 55

Luca moved as quietly as he could through the room. He grabbed his shirt and pants off the hanger and quickly put them on before grabbing his keys and phone from the night stand and slipping out of the room. Daisy was fast asleep. His eyes lingered on her for a few seconds as the door closed and he made his way downstairs.

The sun was still hidden behind the night sky. The low lights in the halls casted big tall shadows of Luca as he walked to his car and got in. Daisy's scent lingered everywhere. It did wonders to the tension in his mind. As he drove out of the driveway and headed to the docks, Luca could only focus on the way she smelled and the way she laughed. He knew they were going to be okay. He was going to grow old with her. He would belong to the stubborn reckless girl for the rest of eternity.

With the sun beginning to stir up and stretch its rays over the clouds, Luca pulled into the dock and killed the engine. He didn't worry too much about the dock workers making their way towards the ships as he made his way over to the large warehouse to the back of the lot. As he approached, Aaron met him at the door and held it open.

Inside the empty warehouse, two large yachts were placed in the center with enough space to fit a private jet beside them. Luca's footsteps echoed as he made his way to the back where a few of his other men stood guard around someone he was dying to talk to. Most of the lights were turned off except the one directly above the group. Hearing Luca's steps, the men looked over their shoulder and stepped aside.

"Luca, listen. Listen to-" The man tied to the chair began to vomit an explanation.

Luca held his finger over his lips to shush him as he pulled up a chair and sat right across from the man. He could hear the man's loud breathing. Luca pulled out his phone and dialed Mateo's number.

"Yeah, boss," Mateo picked up right away.

Luca placed the call on speaker and held up the phone to the man in the chair.

"What is this?" The guy asked.

"Franco!" A woman's voice came through the phone. "Franco is that you?"

The man's, Franco's, eyes widened as all the color drained from his face. He couldn't take his eyes off of Luca as his mouth moved to form the name of the woman on the Phone.

"Ava," Franco began to struggle in his chair.

"Franco," Ava suddenly began to cry. "What's going on? Who is this guy?"

"Don't worry, baby," Franco leaned towards the phone. "I'm not going to let anything happen to y-"

Luca ended the call and put his phone away, causing Franco to grunt in frustration as he tried to break out of the ropes.

"Mateo will be staying with Ava until you tell me everything I need to know," Luca spoke for the first time since entering the warehouse.

"Why are you doing this?" Franco asked, his face red hot. "Ava is innocent."

"My wife's innocent too," Luca said. "And you made her cry."

"Luca, I swear I-"

"There's no point in lying," Luca leaned back in his seat. "We traced the call back to you. And we also know you made a heavy deposit to your account just a few hours before you decided to ruin my wife's peace of mind."

Franco's mouth shut and his jae began to clench. He looked around at the men surrounding them as his heart hammered inside his chest.

"I just want to know who put you up to his," Luca said, leaning forward so that Franco could see the anger in his eyes. "It's obvious it's not you. What can my realtor have against my wife and my relationship."

Franco continued to stare at Luca. His eyes moved around like a nervous animal cornered by a pack of wolves that have been playing with him for too long.

"Who told you to make that phone call, Franco?" Luca asked. "My dad?"

"I don't know," Franco said.

"Bullshit."

"I swear!" Franco's face twisted with anxiety and stress. His eyes began to water and he began to grow restless in his confinement. "Let Ava go, please. She has nothing to do with this."

"No," Luca shook his head. "You got Ava involved in all this when you decided to fuck with my wife. Now stop gambling with your girlfriend's life and tell me who the fuck put you up to this."

"I don't know!" Franco began to cry with frustration. "I got a phone call from a private number. They told me they needed a favor and emailed me a bunch of instructions and a script for what to say on the phone. I swear I have no idea who it is."

"Someone emails you some bullshit and you decided to fuck with my family?" Luca laughed. "Really, Franco?"

"I needed the money," Franco didn't look too happy to admit it. "I owe some people a debt that I need to pay off before Ava and I get married."

"Hm," Luca nodded. "You know there might not be a wedding if I just kill her."

"Luca, I swear I have no idea who the email or phone call was from," Franco shook his head. The tears running down his face fell onto his gray shirt like sweat.

Luca suddenly jumped up and struck the man across the face as hard as he could. He grabbed Franco's face and pushed him back until the front legs of the chair hovered over the floor.

"Please," Franco begged, his mouth filling with blood. "I swear on Ava. I don't know who sent me the calls."

"Who else knew about Juliet Cay going up for sale?" Luca's eyes were dark and his voice was coated with venom.

"No one!"

"That's impossible," Luca said, setting the chair down again and grabbing Franco's hair. "You said whoever this person is sent you a script of what to say. How did they know Juliet Cay went up for sale and that my wife is the new owner? It was a private sale. It was never in the market. How the fuck did this person find out all this information?"

"I don't know!"

"You do!" Luca grabbed Franco's throat and squeezed until he could hear the man choking. "Think. Who did you tell about the deal? Who else knows about Juliet Cay?"

"I swear," Franco's words came out with small puffs of hair. "I don't know."

"Maybe Ava can motivate you to jog up your memory," Luca let go of Franco and pulled out his phone. He dialed Mateo once more and glared at Franco coughing in front of him.

"Boss?" Mateo answered.

"Franco needs a little motivation," Luca said.

Mateo didn't answer. Luca heard the click of his gun and then Ava's scream.

"No!" Franco looked up with terror in his eyes. "No. Stop! Stop! Please!"

"Who else knows about Juliet Cay?" Luca demanded.

"Nobody!" Franco cried. "It was a private deal. Only you and the previous owners know about it."

Luca's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. He hated having to involve Ava in Franco's mess. Her scream made her think of Daisy. It made his insides shrivel up and his heart feel empty. But it was necessary. And Franco, even if he thought he didn't, knew exactly who was behind the phone call.

"Mateo," Luca spoke into the phone. "Take Ava home."

Relief flooded into Franco's face. His eyes began to relax before they grew suspicious once again.

"You're going to go with Ava," Luca said. "Directly from here. No contact with anyone else. If this person calls you again, you let me know right away. I'll be tracking all of your calls and even if you think about double crossing me, I'll make you sit and watch Ava take her last breath in front of you."

Franco paled.

"Understood?" Luca barked.

Franco nodded.

"David," Luca spoke to one of his men without taking his eyes off of Franco. "Take him to the airport. Make sure you're not being followed."

"Yes," David, a short stocky man who had been standing behind Franco, stepped up.

Luca stood back as David untied Franco and pulled him out of his chair. Franco's feet stumbled as he eyed Luca and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"I don't have all day," Luca snapped.

David pulled on the back of Franco's collar and pushed him towards the exit. Luca rubbed his forehead as his pulse ticked like a time bomb. When Aaron entered the warehouse, Luca called to him and began to head towards his car.

"Are Brianna and Michale Dimaggio still in town?" Luca asked right as Aaron opened his mouth to say something.

"Not that I am aware of," the man said.

"Get me a file on those two," Luca opened the car door. The sun was already high up in the sky. He wanted to be home before the funeral to make sure he knew what kind of mood Daisy was in. anything that involved Stella or her family and Daisy made Luca's stomach churn with anxiety.

"Anything in particular you're looking for?" Aaron asked.

"I need a list of all the people they've been in contact with since I bought the island from them," Luca said. "I want names and numbers. I also want surveillance on them. Make sure you tell the others to continue watching my father."

Aaron nodded. His weight shifted from side to side and immediately caught Luca's attention. "What is it?" Luca asked, noticing the tension on Aaron's shoulder.

"I just got word from Renzo a few minutes ago," Aaron said. "That's why I went in to talk to you."

Luca waited and gave Aaron his full attention, "What's going on?"

"I told him to go check in on Eric Anderson like you had asked me to," Aaron pulled out his phone.

"And?"

Aaron passed Luca his phone. The screen displayed a torn up apartment with shattered glass, broken furniture and gutted pillows. Luca's brows knit together as the pressure in the back of his eyes intensified.

"Eric's dead," Aaron said.

Luca's hand tightened around the phone.

"Local police are calling it a burglary," Aaron continued. "Renzo had managed to get there before them and he found a note by the body. It's the next photo."

Luca swiped his finger across the screen and held his breath. He felt his insides disappear as a photo of him holding Theo came up on the screen. It was laid over Eric's chest and most likely pinned to make sure the message could be read loud and clear. Luca zoomed into the photo on the screen and felt his jaw tense as the aggressive red pen marks around his head painted a threatening target. Right below it was a simple sentence that made Luca's blood boil.

You're next, Silvano.

_________________________

"Did Gia leave already?" Daisy asked Dana as the woman helped with the zipper on the back of her black dress.

"Yes," Dana said. "She went to go see Daniel."

"Okay," Daisy nodded.

"Do you want me to help you with your hair?"

"No, I'm alright," Daisy shook her head. "Thank you, Dana."

"Of course."

"And thank you for bringing the flowers up for me," Daisy smiled, looking at the bouquet of lilies on her dresser.

"No need for you to be going up and down these stairs so many times," Dana laughed.

"Thank you," Daisy said once more. "I really appreciate it."

"I'm going to go and see if Maria needs anything," Dana said. "Just call if you need help."

Daisy smiled as the woman turned and headed out the door. Theo played in his play pen, already dressed in a white shirt and black shorts. His hair was neatly combed over, making Daisy laugh. She knew Luca would approve of his outfit.

"Buba, you look so handsome," Daisy cooed to her son.

Theo looked up and smiled. His big brown eyes squinted as he held up his hands and shook the block he was holding. Daisy blew him a kiss before she turned back to her dresser and pulled out the diamond earrings Luca had gotten her. She carefully ran her hand over the set before putting them on and then adding the matching necklace. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she shimmered with a light glow to her cheeks. Daisy began to immediately blush as she placed a hand on her belly and thought of Luca.

As if on cue, the door to the bedroom opened and Luca walked in. Daisy looked up as he rushed inside and paused in the doorway. His eyes bounced back and forth between Theo and her. His skin was pale and the look of restlessness in his eyes caused Daisy to frown.

"What's wrong?" She asked. "Where have you been?"

Luca shifted his attention to her but didn't say a word. He walked over to her slowly and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. Daisy reached out and held his hand as he shuddered and inhaled her scent.

"Are you okay?" Daisy asked.

Luca nodded.

"I'm going to shower real quick," he said, his voice low and guarded. "We need to be there soon."

"Of course," Daisy said. "I set aside your clothes."

"Thank you," Luca bent down once more and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you for the flowers," Daisy smiled. She tilted her head back and smiled up at him. "They're beautiful."

"What flowers?" Luca's brows furrowed.

Daisy laughed as she looked back at her dresser. Luca followed her eyes to the bouquet of lilies and his insides flinched in shock.

"Some things are meant to be," Daisy read, picking up the card that came with the flowers. "Like you and me."

Luca's head began to spin as all the air in his lungs was sucked out. His hands balled into fists and the sickness he felt in the pit of his stomach intensified.

"When did these arrive?" He asked.

"This morning," Daisy smiled. She reached back and picked up the bouquet. "They smell so goo-"

Luca yanked the flowers out of her hands and tossed them to the side. Daisy jumped. Her eyes grew wide and all the words in her head got stuck in her throat.

"What are you doing?" She asked, after staring at Luca for a few seconds in shock.

"I didn't send those flowers," Luca said.

"What?" Daisy asked in confusion.

Luca didn't rely. He took the card from her hand and began to read the words again. His face twisted in anger and disgust.

"Luca...." Daisy waited for him to explain.

"I didn't send these flowers," Luca said, holding up the card.

"Then who did?" Daisy's heart began to pitter patter like rain before a storm.

"I don't know," Luca shook his head, his jaw tight and his body restless.

"Maybe you bought them and forgot the delivery?" Daisy tried.

"My love, I don't schedule flower deliveries for you," Luca shook his head. "I make a point to go and pick them up myself. This wasn't me. And this card.....it sure as hell wasn't me either."

The reality and the gravity of the situation began to slowly sink into Daisy's mind. Her heart began to shake as she remembered the words from the card once more.

Some things are meant to be. Like you and me.

"Maybe it was delivered by accident," Daisy tried once more.

"Calla lilies?" Luca arched his brow. "They're your favorite."

"I don't know!" Daisy said. "I don't know what you're suggesting. This is crazy."

Luca stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Daisy's body. He held her against his chest and flooded the top of her head with kisses.

"Do you think this is related to the phone call?" Daisy asked, looking up. "I mean....it has to be right?"

Luca's face darkened, "It is."

Daisy frowned. She could tell he was holding back. His eyes shifted, scanning her face as if he was trying to memorize her.

"What?" Daisy's frown deepened.

"Eric...." Luca began.

Daisy stiffened, "No, I don't think it's hi-"

"Eric is dead."

Daisy felt the air in her lungs be pushed out like a deflated balloon, "What?"

"I had one of my men check in on him," Luca explained slowly. "When they got there, he was-"

"This can't be happening," Daisy shook her head. Fear sunk its claws into her heart. "Please tell me all this is not connected."

"It is,' Luca said with regret.

"How?" Daisy stepped away, pushing her hands into her hair. "What the hell is going on? How do you know Eric is connected to this?"

"I'm not saying he did anything," Luca said. "But whoever is responsible, they know about you and Eric. I'm sure they know about Theo too now."

Daisy's legs shook. Her whole body turned ice cold.

"They left a message for me on Eric's body," Luca said slowly.

"What message?' Daisy's voice sounded foreign to her own ears. She could feel her mind shutting down as Luca pulled his phone out and showed her the photo Renzo had sent him. Her eyes watered immediately. The tears began to spill when they could no longer compete with the fear.

"This was taken here..." Daisy looked up at Luca. "In Del Mare."

Luca nodded.

"Do you think it's your dad?" Daisy asked.

"Unless he has an obsession with you," Luca sighed. "He doesn't really fit."

"Obsession with me?" Daisy asked.

"They want your attention," Luca said. "Whoever is doing this, started by reaching out to you first. They went after Eric and left a message for me. They want us out of the way."

Daisy's skin crawled as she looked at the flowers on the floor. Suddenly, she recoiled remembering the words on the card.

Some things are meant to be. Like you and me.

"As much as I want to get the fuck out of this town and take you and Theo as far away from here as I can, we can't," Luca said, his jaw so tensed Daisy feared he might snap it off. "We just have to get through the funeral and then we're out of here."

Daisy nodded.

"Don't leave my sight at the funeral," Luca said. "Aaron and the others will be with you and Theo at all times. Stay close to them. Stay close to me-"

"What about you?" Daisy asked. "You're clearly the next target."

"I'll be fi-"

"Don't say that," Daisy shook her head. "Please don't say that."

Luca pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. She held her tightly as she shivered thinking about the flowers once more.

"I need you to hold it together for just a little longer," Luca said. "I promise we will leave as soon as the funeral is over." 

Any guesses?