Devil's Devotion

chapter-14

Luciano

After finishing my conversation with Renèe, I felt a rush of emotions—pride for her strength, but also concern about her upcoming trip to London. I knew I needed to talk to Luca and Marko before I left. They were my closest allies, and I  wanted to keep them in the loop about my plans and the recent events.

As I arrived at our usual meeting spot, I found Luca and Marko lounging in the back of their favorite Italian café. The air was filled with the rich aroma of espresso and freshly baked pastries.

“Hey, guys,” I greeted, pulling up a chair. “I need to talk to you both about something important.”

Luca looked up, a playful grin on his face. “What’s going on? You look like you just got out of a cage fight.”

I chuckled but quickly sobered. “Renèe is heading to London tomorrow to gather evidence against Crypto’s parents. I’m going with her.”

Marko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? What’s the plan?”

I  hesitated for a moment, then recounted the earlier incident when Renèe had taken down the man who tried to kidnap her. “You won’t believe what she did. She disarmed him and knocked him out cold. I was seriously impressed.”

Luca leaned back in his chair, a teasing smirk appearing on his face. “Wow, looks like we’re not the only ones who can handle themselves in a fight! Did you see the way she moved? She’s a badass!”

Marko joined in, chuckling. “Seriously, Luciano. You’re going to have to watch your back. She might take you down next if you make her mad!”

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. “You guys are ridiculous. But honestly, I’m proud of her. She’s proving she can handle herself out there. Still, I worry about her going to London alone.”

Luca leaned forward, his expression shifting to one of concern. “It’s understandable, man. But if she’s got the skills you say she does, she can take care of herself. Just make sure you’re there to back her up if things get dicey.”

Marko nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s good she’s being proactive about confronting Crypto’s parents. They need to pay for what they’ve done. But don’t forget to keep an eye on her; you know how things can get in this world.”

I sighed, the tension easing slightly with my friends’ encouragement. “I will. I just want her to know she’s not alone in this. We’re all in this together.”

Luca raised his coffee cup in a toast. “To Renèe, the badass CEO who can take down kidnappers and still handle a business meeting like a pro!”

Marko laughed, joining in. “And to Luciano, the protective  boyfriend-to-be , who just might need to step up his game!”

I shook my head, laughter bubbling up despite my earlier worries. “Alright, alright. Just promise me you’ll keep your heads on straight while I’m gone. I don’t want to come back to find you two in a bar brawl or something.”

With that, we shared a lighthearted moment, teasing one another and enjoying our camaraderie. I felt grateful to have such strong friends by my side as I prepared for the challenges that lay ahead in London. I knew that no matter what happened, they would always support each other.

Renèe

Before heading to London, I decided to stop by my office to tie up some loose ends and ensure everything was in order for my trip. As I settled into my workspace, my friend and personal assistant, Chloe, walked in with a stack of documents.

“Hey, Renèe! Good to see you back,” Chloe said with a bright smile. “How’s everything going?”

I returned the smile, feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar environment. “I’m good, just getting ready for London. I’ll be working remotely while I’m there.”