Mafia Queen

Chapter Thirty Nine

Charlotte

Luca looked back at me as if he was seeing things, trying to figure out if I was real or not. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly thought better of it, and pressed his lips together.

"Is this one of your fighters?" I tried to keep my voice as even as possible.

It was like the sound of my voice snapped Luca out of the trance. Once he realized it was actually me, a mix of anger and confusion and joy flooded his eyes like he had no idea what to feel.

"Used to be." Niko said. "He doesn't make me much money anymore because he always wins. No one wants to bet on or against him because it's a wash."

"Why do you keep him if he doesn't make you any money, then?"

He gave me a sinister grin. "This one is personal, Amore. Now why don't we go take a tour of the stables that I promised you earlier?"

"I'd love to, but if I am going to come back tonight, I'm going to need to be heading home. I think I've seen enough."

Thankfully, Luca was too stunned to speak. He stood completely still, eyes locking with mine the entire time.

"Of course." Niko nodded. "Will you be bringing Jax and the girls?"

I smiled. "Yes, I think Jax needs to see all of this for himself."

Glancing back at him one more time before Niko led me out of the room. I started panicked, needing to speak to him. To touch him.

"Boss..." One of Niko's men appeared at the top of the stairs. "I need you for a minute."

Niko groaned. "Now, Rex? I'm just about to show Ms. Bianchi out."

"I wish it could wait." He grimaced.

"Fine." He hardened as we got to the top of the stairs. "Steph, just give me a few minutes and I'll be right back."

Niko and his man disappeared into an office, and I was left on my own. For a few seconds, I contemplated what to do, but in the end, my heart won out. I tore back down the stairs to see Luca.

Luca was completely shackled, and I have no hope of getting him out now, but I could at least tell him I was coming back and bringing Angelo and Marco.

"Charlotte!" His voice broke with emotion when he saw me again.

"Hi." I whimpered, standing a few feet away from the cell. I didn't want to take the chance of their being cameras down here and Niko seeing me hug Luca.

As if reading my mind, Luca reached out for me. "It's okay. There are no microphones or cameras. I've scoped it all out."

I rushed to him, reaching through the slats of the cell and grasping onto his bloodied cheeks. "Are you okay? Where are you hurt?"

"Are you out of your mind? What the fuck are you doing here?" Tears welled up in his eyes. "You have to go. He'll kill you."

I shook my head. "He won't. He thinks I have an escort service in Sicily and wants to partner with me."

"What?" He hissed.

"I'm coming back tonight and I'm bringing Axel and we're going to get you out of here." I bit my lip, knowing tears would stain my make up and Niko might pick up on that.

"Does Angelo know where you are?" He seethed.

I nodded sheepishly, not wanting him to be upset with Angelo.

Luca clenched his jaw. "Charlotte, listen to me. You need to get the hell out of here and never come back. Stay as far away as fucking possible. Do you understand me?"