Chapter 4 Enemy Of My Enemy

• Izzy’s POV
• When Luca Moretti walked into the room, I had no idea what to anticipate. His presence was like a razor, and his expression wasn't one of curiosity. It was a calculation. As if he were looking for my vulnerability.
• He remarked to the guard next to me, "I want to talk to her."
• The man paused. "Mr. Marino stated"
• Luca interrupted him, saying, "I don't care what he said." "Go."
• Although his voice was silky, it was authoritative. With a nod, the guard left without saying anything else.
• The two of us were alone now.
• Luca did not take a seat. With his hands in his pockets and his eyes fixed on me, he moved slowly across the room.
• "So," he said. "You are the well-known daughter. The unfortunate Marino girl.
• I folded my arms. Additionally, you are the legendary Luca Moretti. Mafia aristocracy
• He smiled. "You have a mouth on you, which surprised me."
• "You only came here to make fun of me?"
• "No. I arrived to witness the type of girl Vincenzo is guarding like a gold trove.
• "Defending?" I chuckled. "He treated me like real estate." Then hurled me into a prison cell.
• Luca ceased his pacing. "Did he not pull you out? Created a new identity for you. Strength. Instruction.
• I looked at him. "And you believe that he is concerned?"
• Silently, Luca remarked, "I believe it indicates he's getting you ready for something." "Dangerous."
• I cocked my head. "Are you threatening or warning me?"
• "Perhaps both," he shrugged slightly. "The depth of this world is beyond your comprehension. Who is faithful? Who isn't?
• "So instruct me."
• He took a step toward her. I didn't retreat. He wouldn't get such satisfaction from me.
• "You believe that you are tough," he remarked quietly. "However, this game devours people like you."
• "Then I'll turn into poison," I answered. "Let me be choked by the game."
• His face shifted for a second. Something flickered. Laughter? Deference?
• He gave me a single nod as if he agreed with my response.
• "I'll be observing," he declared. "Don't let me down."
• Then he left the door open and walked out.
• My father was in his office that night, swirling a drink as if nothing had occurred.
• Without glancing at me, he replied, "You shouldn't have spoken to Luca."
• "I didn't have many options."
• Slowly, he set the glass down. "Luca poses a threat. He stabs like a ghost and grins like a gentleman.
• It seems familiar, I whispered.
• His look grew gloomy. "Don't try to outwit me. He is not the kind of person you are prepared for.
• "What brings him here at all?" I inquired. "What is his desire?"
• "We are indebted to him," my father stated bluntly. "A loan from many years ago. He is now collecting.
• I scowled. "What sort of debt?"
• He looked away. "I paid with blood for one." Don't charge me again.
• "Are you telling me not to put my faith in him?"
• "I'm telling you that nobody in this world is trustworthy. Not even relatives.
• Even though his remarks were hurtful, I didn't show it.
• I went out onto the patio later that evening. Now the air was colder. Low in the sky was the moon.
• And there he was—Luca—again.
• Observing me from the shadows.
• "You don't do well at hiding," I observed as I approached him.
• He stated, "I wasn't hiding." "Just observing the storm."
• "What storm?"
• He said simply, "You."
• I didn't let him see that either, even though my breath held in my throat.
• He rested his head on the railing. "Your father believes he has complete control over everything. But he is unable to stop what is about to happen.
• I was unsure about his meaning. I wasn't certain I wanted to do it.
• Things went wrong the following morning.
• My first task was to deliver a package to one of my father's colleagues in the downtown area. Two men in dark suits escorted me.
• It was all too easy.
• Until it wasn't.
• Rather than stopping in the building, the automobile halted in an alley. I turned to face the driver. "What brings us here?"
• With a chilly grin, the man in the front turned around. "Plans changed."
• I realised then that I was being set up.
• The door locked when I attempted to unlock it. My wrist was grabbed by one of the males seated in the rear. "Refrain from screaming. Simply make it simple.
• I took a bite out of his hand.
• He shouted.
• Shots.
• Fast, loud, one, two, three.
• Beside me, the glass broke. Blood was streaming from the man's mouth as he sagged over.
• It was too late when the second man reached for a gun.
• There was Luca.
• Quick. Effective. Deadly.
• He hauled me out after opening my door.
• "Are you okay?" he inquired.
• Astonished, I nodded.
• After giving me a cursory examination, he gave me a smaller pistol. "Shoot first, the next time. You can put off asking questions.
• I looked at the surrounding blood. At the corpses. "My father had these men."
• "No longer," he declared. Someone pivoted. You were wanted to be killed by someone.
• "Why?"
• "Because you're becoming important."
• He took hold of my hand. "Come on. We must relocate.
• The estate was not visited by us again. He instead led me to a secluded apartment tucked away above one of his nightclubs. It was clean, silent, and dark. Secure.
• Still trembling, I sat on the couch. I was given a drink by Luca. "You performed well."
• I said, "I froze."
• "You made it through," he said. "That's what counts."
• I gave him all of my attention. "What made you save my life?"
• He was seated opposite me. "Because I dislike seeing things that are useful die."
• To you, am I all I am? Something helpful?
• He didn't respond.
• I had trouble sleeping that night. My mind was racing. I remembered the men who had attempted my kill. Regarding the falsehoods. The replica. My dad. Luca now.
• I mattered, he said.
• I was a storm, he said.
• What that signified was unknown to me.
• But I required clarification. I required authority.
• Silently, I made my way to his room while holding the little knife I had stashed in my boot. I had a racing heart.
• He was reading a file while lying shirtless in bed.
• When he spotted me, he didn't even bat an eye.
• "I didn't think you were the cunning kind," he remarked.
• I answered, "I'm full of surprises."
• I moved in closer.
• He examined the blade. "Are you trying to kill me?"
• I gave a nod. "I haven't made up my mind yet."
• He set down the paperwork and gently sat up. "Then go ahead and do it."
• I went cold.
• He bent over. "But after I kiss you, kill me."
• He took hold of my wrist, drew me in, and gave me a passionate kiss before I could move or even think.