Silent Killer

Part Four

Luca.

Dinner is unusually quiet tonight. Perhaps it's because my mother is furious about the woman I have locked up downstairs but I know my father has her keeping her mouth shut, around Sofia, anyways.

This is the night Sofia and I had planned to tell my family about her pregnancy, but my mind is elsewhere. I'm thinking about Caroline being downstairs with my other child that is due in just 2 months.

For fuck sakes, how did I manage this?

I eat the steak made by Juanita and I'm impressed with her cooking once again. This girl was another one of my previous conquests, even when I was courting Caroline I was getting myself involved briefly with Juanita. Not because I'm into her, but because I wanted her. When I want something, I get it. It's just that simple.

Why did the girl have to be seventeen?

Sofia notices me looking at Juanita and I feel her nudge my arm. I look at her with brows raised, "Do you have an issue?"

She seems disappointed with my response and clears her throat, looking down at her plate. My sister, Ariella, pipes up, "You've only been married a few months and you're already disappointing your wife. Typical, Luca."

"Ask me if I care," I shoot back, a typical brother response that has nothing more than a forceful tone behind it.

"You should," My mother adds, bitterness clear in her voice, "You should love your wife, care about her and her feelings."

"Elaina, stay out of it." My father tells her.

Finally, I can agree with the man.

Sofia clears her throat and looks up at my family with a forced smile, "Luca and I actually wanted to talk to you all at once. It's uncommon that we all get together so I thought now would be the best time."

The look in my mother's eyes let me know that she instantly clues in. But she doesn't look happy, if anything she has pity for Sofia. She sees a lot of herself in Sofia and because of that she's usually defending her from things she has no control over.

"We are... pregnant." Sofia smiles bigger, a more genuine smile and I know she's thrilled about becoming a mother. I, on the other hand, can't really care.

"Oh my god," My mom says, giving the best smile she possibly can, "That is amazing news."

"I knew Luca seemed to pack on some weight," Ariella taunts, I only roll my eyes.

My father adds, "I'm happy you've both decided to expand the family. The sooner, the better. It's always best to have multiple people ready to take on the family's business."

"Is it a boy?" Ariella asks.

Sofia shakes her head, "We don't know yet. It's still very early. But I was thinking about doing a big gender reveal for both of our families when we find out... Maybe you could help with that?"

"I'd love to," Ariella nods her head, taking a sip of her wine.

My father turns to look at Ari, clearing his throat, "Perhaps you should begin planning your wedding to Alexei Petrov."

"I'm not marrying him. I've told you this." She seethes through her teeth but my father couldn't seem to care, he forced me to marry Sofia and Ariella will be doing the same with Alexei soon enough.

"Whatever you say, sweetheart. You and I both know who makes the decisions here so if you want to keep telling yourself that you won't be getting married to him, be my guest. But you're in for a rude awakening."

"Seriously, dad?!" Ari stands from her chair and pushes it back angrily. She does have a bit of a temper, but to me it's just a kitten getting upset. Barely anything.

"Ariella, sit." My father demands, he's getting upset and I know Ariella is testing him. Instead of listening to our father, Ariella storms out of the dining room and I can hear her footsteps running up the stairs.

My mom slides her chair from the table, "I'll go speak to--"

"Elaina, stay where you are. If she wants to act like a fucking brat then she will be treated like one," He motions towards my mother's plate, "Eat your dinner."

I watch as my mother silently obeys my father's demands. She have become a stronger person over the years but even now she knows which battles to fight. One with my father isn't an option, we all know that he would make it very clear for her to never disobey him again.

Sofia reaches for my hand under the table and I reluctantly hold it, knowing quite well that she finds my father extremely intimidating. I can't blame her, if I were an outsider I would find my family very overwhelming as well. 

***

When dinner is done, I head to the kitchen to get a plate ready for Caroline. I've considered bringing her to my penthouse but since I've been staying here at my father's since marrying Sofia, I wouldn't have nearly as good an eye on her.

Juanita is loading the dishwasher and I take the opportunity to watch her bend over. I would have had sex with her months ago if Caroline never clouded my judgement. I was so infatuated with that woman that I couldn't even look at another female. All I had wanted was Caroline.

Once she stands up, Juanita sees me in the corner of her eye and jumps, "Oh god... Luca."

Mmm... If only those words were in different context.

"Juanita, good to see you again. How was your vacation?" I ask her with a charming smile, walking to the counter and grabbing a clean plate from the shelf.

Juanita had just gotten back from visiting some family in Romania, though until recently I hadn't necessarily missed her. But once I realized the huge secret Caroline had been keeping from me I had been looking for anything to distract my mind from the anger I felt towards her.

"It was lovely... Quiet. I'm not used to quiet anymore," She laughs softly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It never really is quiet here, is it?" I smirk at her, putting some food onto a plate and keeping an eye on her, "It looks like you got a tan. Really a shame to be covering it up with those jeans."

Like clockwork, Juanita's cheeks turn red and she looks at the floor shyly, "My grandmother wouldn't approve of me dressing differently."

"Your grandmother isn't here," I remind her coldly, being more honest than rude, "I mean, if you have a body like that, you shouldn't hide it away. You're too gorgeous to coverup."

"Your parents wouldn't appreciate me dressing inappropriately."

"So you're shy? I can respect that," I move a little closer to her and I move a strand of hair behind her ear, "Well, if you ever want to loosen up a little... We can go somewhere private. For you to show me that tan of yours."

"Yeah?" She raises an eyebrow, biting her lip in a shy manner, "I think--"

"Luca," My father's voice interrupts me and I close my eyes, annoyed. Why does this man always come at the worst fucking moments. "Focus on feeding your guest."

I sigh heavily. Caroline. Yes. She's downstairs, probably starving at this rate and I'm here trying to get lucky with the underage maid. I step back from Juanita, giving her a little smile, "We'll catch up later, okay? I have business to attend to."

She simply nods, avoiding eye contact with my father knowing very well that he was upset the last time he caught us mingling like this.

He's glaring at her the entire time I prepare a plate for Caroline and I walk towards him on my way to the basement. He grabs my arm to stop me, "Leave that girl alone."

I pull my arm away from him, "You worry about your business and I'll worry about mine, okay?"

Without a word I walk away, going to the basement door and unlocking it. I'm not truly prepared to deal with Caroline's attitude but I've handled people far worse. She's just in a whole other category.