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That was all kinds of creepy, because who took people down to concrete basements? Serial killers or hired hitmen, that was who.
Luca’s feet faltered slightly at the thought as his mind wandered back to Dom. He knew exactly which category he thought he fit in, and it wasn’t the John Wayne Gacy type.
A mechanical whir jarred Luca out of his thoughts as the two holding him drew him to a stop. Then a louddingechoed off the concrete walls and Luca’s entire body perked up.
An elevator? That’s an elevator. Maybe they’re going to let me go after all.
Luca held on to that morsel of hope as the elevator door slid open. The men guided him inside then thrust him toward the back of the car and punched a couple of buttons.
Luca looked to his feet, and this time there was no concrete. Instead, the floor under his Nikes was a shiny black marble with what looked like a shimmering moon and flecks of gold stardust.
It was so shocking to see after what he’d been through that for a second Luca forgot about what was about to happen next and instead tried to think if he’d ever seen a pattern like that before.
Think, Luca. Think.But nothing was coming to mind as the elevator continued to climb. That was one thing he could work out at least, because a couple seconds in, his ears popped.
Finally the car came to a stop and the softwhooshof the doors opening made Luca raise his head.
“Move it,” the gruff voice said by Luca’s ear, and Luca began to walk. He stepped out of the elevator and onto pristine white carpet that looked soft enough to sleep on. Then he was directed several feet down and drawn to a stop.
Where the hell was he? This sure didn’t feel like he was about to be released. He’d been expecting maybe a parking garage, a car trip, and then a quick—but hopefully not fatal—shove out the door.Thiswas definitely not that.
Three rapid knocks—similar to what he’d heard down in the basement when Ennio was delivered—sounded somewhere in front of him, and seconds later he was shoved forward.
Luca spotted a golden threshold that he stepped over, and then his feet went from carpet to polished wooden floors. He let out a deep breath as his feet came to a stop, and before he could even begin to imagine what would happen next, the hood was pulled off.
Luca blinked several times, and as the enormous room he stood in came into view and a door slammed shut behind him, he sucked in a gasp of air. Nothing in the world could’ve prepared him for what he was now seeing, and the juxtaposition of this place to where he’d just come from was truly shocking.
A sprawling room, bigger than most houses, took up what felt like the entire floor of the building. In the low lights, the beautiful creams and gold accents gave off a feeling of elegance and opulence that only the rich could afford. But at the same time, the crackling fire and cozy seating invited one to come in, to come closer, and revel in the decadence of the place. The soaring ceilings looked as though they would touch the clouds, and the twinkling chandelier led you to believe that you were touching the stars instead. But the real jaw dropper was the floor-to-ceiling panoramic window showcasing a view that even God would be jealous of.
As Luca tried to process all that he was seeing, his eyes caught on the intimidating silhouette of a man he would know anywhere. Tendrils of fear slid through his veins as the one they called Dom finally turned to face him.
Those dark eyes ran over Luca, and Dom lifted a brow. “Did you miss me?”
