Chapter 4 - The Choice Emma Never Expected
Luca laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“Of course.”
Emma stepped toward him.
“When I entered your house three months ago, I believed you and Victor were partners.”
“And now?”
“Now I know Victor hid behind your name.”
“That doesn’t make me innocent.”
“I didn’t say it did.”
That answer surprised him.
Emma continued.
“You’ve done things I would never defend.”
“Careful.”
“You asked.”
Luca nodded.
“Continue.”
“But I also watched you stop Victor from targeting families. I watched you cancel deals when civilians could get caught in them. I watched him become frustrated every time you drew a line.”
“And that changed your mission?”
“It changed what I understood.”
Luca studied her.
“What do you want now?”
“The truth.”
“Dangerous hobby.”
“Look where yours got you.”
Before Luca could answer, headlights swept across the greenhouse.
Emma ducked.
A vehicle stopped.
Someone stepped out.
Luca reached for his weapon.
Emma touched his wrist.
“Wait.”
A man approached the greenhouse.
Luca recognized him.
Marco DeLuca.
His oldest lieutenant.
Marco entered with both hands visible.
“Boss.”
“Where’s Victor?”
“Inside.”
“You working for him?”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
“He locked down the house before we understood what was happening.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m asking you what you want me to do.”
Luca stared at him.
“Nothing.”
Marco blinked.
“Boss?”
“No war in my house.”
“Victor has men—”
“I know.”
Luca handed Marco the memory card.
“Make copies. Send everything to every captain Victor has been paying privately.”
Marco looked at Emma.
“Where did this come from?”
“My maid.”
Marco stared.
Luca sighed.
“Don’t ask.”
Emma said, “Victor’s money is his power. Show his men he’s been stealing from them, and they stop protecting him.”
Marco nodded.
“Give me twenty minutes.”
He disappeared into the rain.
Emma looked at Luca.
“You trusted him quickly.”
“No.”
“You handed him everything.”
“I handed him a copy.”
Emma smiled faintly.
“You learn fast.”
Twenty-three minutes later, phones began ringing inside the mansion.
Then cars started leaving.
One.
Two.
Four.
Victor’s private army was collapsing without a shot being fired.
Luca’s phone rang.
Victor.
“You think this changes anything?”
Luca answered calmly.
“It changed your parking situation.”
“You always thought you were smarter than me.”
“No.”
Luca looked through the rain toward his mansion.
“I thought you were my brother.”
Victor went silent.
That hurt more than an insult.
Luca continued.
“Come to the office.”
“Why would I?”
“Because the original ledger isn’t on Emma’s memory card.”
Emma looked sharply at Luca.
Victor’s breathing changed.
Luca smiled.
“And now you’re wondering whether I’m lying.”
“Where is it?”
“Office. Ten minutes.”
Luca ended the call.
Emma stared at him.
“There is no original ledger.”
“I know.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“Yes.”
“You’re injured.”
“Yes.”
“Victor still has men.”
“Fewer every minute.”
Emma stepped in front of him.
“This is a terrible plan.”
Luca looked down at her.
“You told me to surprise him.”
May you like
“I’m beginning to regret encouraging you.”
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