Page 72 of Savage Little Secret

“Your family is angry with you,” I explain. “If they found out that we were working together, how do you think they would react?”

Luca considers it for a moment before cursing under his breath. “They wouldn’t be happy. I’m the black sheep. The betrayer. They want me to suffer without a penny to my name.”

A little bit of the weight on my chest lifts. He sees where I’m coming from.

“Do you think they would do something like this?” I ask him.

Luca’s expression turns grave. “They’d rather hurt me through someone innocent than come at me clean.”

“I didn’t realize they were that angry with you,” I say after a long exhale.

Luca leans back and crosses his arms over his chest, clicking his tongue. “Well, that’s what happens when you have a mind of your own and you’re not a drone. They hate you for it. They want to kill you for it.”

I understand that more than he realizes. I don’t have time to bond with him over family issues, though.

“There are a lot of Italians in Vegas. I only have around twenty-four hours left to figure out who is keeping Cara captive before I lose her,” I tell him. “I need you to help me figure out who is doing this.”

A cheeky smile crosses Luca’s face as he nudges me with his shoulder. “You’re not just going to give me up, amico? That would be so much simpler.”

I give him a pointed look. “People like this don’t keep promises. There’s no guarantee that they’ll even give her to me if I give you up. I’d rather take down the bastards.”

Luca nods, his eyes narrowing in determination. “Then, I would be happy to help you find Cara and rescue her.”

I release a relieved breath. “It could be dangerous, especially if we come face to face with your family.”

Luca waves his hands dismissively. “I’m not scared of them. In fact, I have a running list of them that I’d like to punch in the face.”

“It’ll be worse than punching,” I tell him. I know that he has already turned his back on his family, but things could still get complicated if the situation becomes life or death. I need to know that he has my back no matter what.

“I’m not backing down from any fight, Dmitri. If they did take Cara, I’ll fight for her. For you.”

Before I can thank him, a grin pops up on his face.

“I liked meeting her that one time at lunch,” Luca tells me, his eyes glinting with interest.

I immediately glare at him. “When we get her back, she’s mine. And she’ll be my wife.”

Luca chuckles and pats me on the shoulder. “Congratulations! I had a feeling you two were a little closer than boss and employee.”

I hold my hand out to him. “Thank you for helping me with this. We need to move quickly.”

Luca shakes my hand and nods. “Let’s meet early in the morning. I’ll have a list of names for you, and we’ll find your bride to be.”

I don’t even like the thought of waiting that long, but I need to give him time to work, and some sleep wouldn’t hurt me. Tomorrow, no matter what happens, is going to be chaotic, and I need to be on top of my game.

Cara is relying on me, and I can’t let her down again.

“No later than seven,” I say as I stand from the bench. “You can meet me at my place.”

“I’m honored, amico,” Luca replies, placing his hand over his heart before disappearing into the shadows.

I draw in a deep breath through my nose, but I can’t shake the nerves digging into every muscle in my body. I feel like I’m finally getting close to finding her, but I also feel so far away. I haven’t laid my eyes on her in weeks. Haven’t held her in my arms. Haven’t heard her voice or felt her lips against mine.

Tomorrow ends that.

If I fail, the city burns.

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