AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That makes him pause. “Danger?”
“Her father is a bad man. He hurt her. He’s going to keep hurting her until I can get her out of there.”
“Don’t worry about the birdie. Luca has eyes on her,” he mutters as he puts on glasses that make his eyeballs look like the size of golf balls.
Maurice has always said shit that makes little sense, but something tells me there’s more to it than I know.
Reaching for one of his tools, I ask, “How long has Luca had eyes on her?”
Maurice takes the tool from my hand, putting it back in place. “A while.” He looks up. “He wants to put her in a cage so he can watch her forever.”
“Fuck.”
“That too, I’m sure.”
“Mo, I need to know what Luca knows about her.”
“Everything.”
“Does he know she was with me today?”
Maurice gets a faraway look in his eyes, and I don’t think he’s going to answer.
“No. He doesn’t. But he’ll find out and then he’ll take her from you. Just like he always does.”
“Mo, does he have the room at Grandfather’s place ready for her?”
Maurice flinches, but nods. “It was completed just this week.”
God damn it. That means Luca is almost ready to make his move.
“Do you know how he found her?”
That makes Maurice laugh, which sounds strange since he doesn’t do it often.
“I’d guess the same way you did. Birdies can’t seem to stay away from us.”
He meets my gaze, and the tortured depth staring back at me makes it hard to breathe. This poor, broken man didn’t deserve the hell we were put through as kids. Luca and I couldn’t handle it, but Mo never stood a chance.
“Grandfather would be so proud to know that we’re still carrying on, even though he’s gone.” His eyes glaze. “Gone. But never forgotten.”
“Mo, I need to know where Luca is.”
He doesn’t answer, as he hums to himself. This is how he copes with our past. He shuts down and self-soothes by singing or humming. I want to curse but can’t. Maurice is this way because of our grandfather, but also because of me and Luca. If escaping into his mind helps him, then I won’t try to stop him. Lord knows he’s going to need all the peace he can get if Luca has truly prepared the house for Dove.
“It’s okay, Mo. I’ll figure it out on my own.” I say as I leave.
I don’t want to deal with Luca, but I’d rather work with him than against him. As much as I hate to admit it, he has resources I don’t because I’ve removed myself from the game.
My chest is tight as I make my way outside. Time to face my demon. Or, in this case, the Beast.
* * *
Luca
I watch the feeds of the bar, making sure everything is up to par. I spend most nights here, only popping into my hotel when I’m needed. A perk of being on top. When I see a familiar dark head making its way through the crowds, I frown. What in the fuck is he doing here? He knows better than to show his face at any of my establishments.
Pressing the button on my phone, I say, “Don’t let my cousin in. Understand?”
