Beneath Sicilian Skies

Chapter 7

After hearing Luca's harrowing story, Alessandro took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. He glanced at Salman, who had been standing silently beside him, absorbing everything with a stoic expression. Alessandro's mind was racing, but one thing was clear: Luca needed to be somewhere safe, somewhere he could start to heal.

"Salman," Alessandro said, his voice firm but laced with a new, protective warmth. "Take Luca home. Make sure he has everything he needs to get comfortable—clothes, food, a warm bed. Whatever he asks for, give it to him."

Salman nodded, his eyes meeting Alessandro's with understanding. He approached Luca gently, offering his hand. "Come on, Luca. Let's get you out of here."

Luca hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Alessandro as if seeking reassurance. Alessandro gave him a small, encouraging nod. "You're safe now, Luca. You're home."

With that, Luca took Salman's hand, and they headed toward the door. Alessandro watched them go, a mix of emotions swirling inside him—relief, anger, and an unwavering determination to protect his newly discovered brother from any further harm.

As Alessandro took out his phone to call Kevin and check on the progress of finding the girls, it buzzed in his hand. Robert's name flashed on the screen. Alessandro answered immediately, his voice sharp, "What's the update?"

"There's one girl," Robert said, his voice steady. "She's standing by and ready to answer our questions. We've got her secured."

Alessandro's grip tightened on the phone as a surge of anger coursed through him. His mind flashed back to Luca's tear-streaked face, the pain and fear in his eyes. He thought about his club, now in disarray, the safety that had been shattered. The fury bubbled up, fueling his resolve.

He was done with being played. Whoever this girl was, she would have answers—whether she wanted to give them or not.

"I'm on my way," Alessandro growled, his voice dark with the promise of retribution.

He hung up and left the room with determined strides, his mind already sharpening with questions and demands. Alessandro knew he needed to keep his composure, but his anger was a powerful force, driving him forward. The club, his brother, his family's legacy—everything was at stake.

As Alessandro headed towards Robert, a storm of thoughts swirled in his mind, each one more unsettling than the last. *How could Luca be my brother?* His mother had died 15 years ago, and he couldn't recall her ever being pregnant before that. The idea seemed impossible, yet Luca's words echoed in his mind, stirring something deep within him. Alessandro clenched his fists, trying to make sense of it all.

*Why is there only one girl?* he wondered, his thoughts shifting. *Did the other one escape?* If so, how had she managed to slip through their grasp? And who was this girl they had captured—how did she end up here? There were too many unanswered questions, and each one only fueled his anger further.

His thoughts drifted to his father and Salvatore. *What's the status with Dad and Salvatore?* he thought, a pang of anxiety cutting through his anger. His father had always been the one with the answers, the one who could make sense of the chaos. Alessandro knew he needed to talk to him about Luca—only his father could shed light on this bewildering situation.

But that would have to wait. Right now, he needed to focus on the task at hand. The girl was waiting, and she held the key to the night's mysteries. Alessandro quickened his pace, determined to get the answers he so desperately needed.

Sophia's tear-streaked face was a mix of desperation and fear as she saw a figure entering the room. Her eyes widened in recognition when she saw Alessandro approaching, his imposing presence filling the space. She could barely contain her emotions, her voice trembling as she addressed him.