Chapter 02

{Two weeks later….}

“So any luck today?”

I read Mary’s text and frowned as I punched in a response.

“If by luck you mean, more rejections, then yeah!!! I have had loads of luck today.”

“Haha. Take it easy on yourself, tiger. It has just been two weeks. Relax a bit, you are being a bit too hard on yourself.”

I sighed but instead of responding, I looked out the window of the cab, staring at the houses by the roadside as we zoomed past them.

Relax .

Maybe I could do just that.

I could see how it makes sense, but I didn't work my ass off to graduate with good grades only to relax at home after.

I need a good, decent job. Desperately, because what I don't want is to have to live off my dad any longer.

I'm 24 years old. I need to start setting up my own life the way I want it to be.

Not that my dad was complaining, but it doesn't feel right…him still working to provide for the both of us alone.

When I came back home to Decorah, I wasn't anticipating just how difficult it would be to find a job here.

What I need is to re-strategize and go about it a different way. Not relax.

The cab stopped me right in front of the small house my dad and I shared and I paid him, watched him drive off before walking inside the gate.

The first thing that caught my attention were the three black SUVs parked inside and an instant chill ran down my spine immediately.

No, no no.

This could only mean one thing.

My heartbeat accelerated as I stared at the cars. I wasn't stupid. I know where they came from and that knowledge filled my stomach with dread and fear.

It's been two weeks since that incident and I was almost starting to forget all about it. To forget about the fact that I might be a target in De Luca's list.

I was starting to think that perhaps, he just let the incident go but….he's either here, or he had sent his men to deal with me.

Fuck.

My first instinct was to turn around and run as far away as I could get.

Maybe if I hid long enough, he would not find me and he'd let bygones by.

Fuck.

I gave myself a mental smack at the crazy thought.

My dad was in there, with these men and God alone knows what they had or will do to him.

How could I even think like that?

Besides…I have never for once in my life been a coward.

With deep shaky breaths, I walked towards the front entrance, my weak knees barely holding me up.

Slowly I opened the door, expecting the worst already, and the gulps of air I was inhaling did nothing to calm my nerves or my frantic heartbeat.

Once I stepped inside, the sight that greeted me, almost brought me to my knees.

My dad, laying in the middle of our small sitting room, and there were bruises all over his face and body — the part that I could see at least.

Oh my god!!

“Dad!” I yelled, right before I looked around and saw the men standing around the room, holding different types of weapons in their hands.

What have they done?

Gosh what have I done?

“Damn, would you look at that?” One of the men whistled with a grin, “it's the beer girl.”

“Yeah who would have thought? Boss man would be so pleased to hear this.”

My feet were still glued to the floor thanks to fear.

So I couldn't trust myself to make a move without falling over.

“What do you guys want from us? Why did you do this?”

“Claire…” my dad called weakly turning to look at me, “please…leave here. Go. This isn't your concern.”

What does he mean?

They were here because of me. Weren't they?

“What do you idiots want from us!?” I asked again, loudly this time.

“Your daughter has got a sharp mouth on her. What we want, sunshine is our money back. Your old man here took a very huge loan from our organisation and he's way overdue.”

“What?” The word fell out of my lips before I could stop it.

“This is just a little lesson. He has 24 hours to provide the money in full or it's his life next time.”

I was just standing there, too shocked to even speak or react as they all walked out of the house one after the other.

I didn't move until I heard the sound of their cars driving away.

“Claire….” My dad called between coughs, trying to get up.

I rushed towards him and helped him sit up at least, my heart squeezing tightly as I stared at his bruises.

“What did they do to you, pa?” I whispered, inspecting his body and wincing.

“Don't worry yourself too much dear child. I asked for this, it was my fault. Just go up into your room, I do not want to talk about it.”

“But…..”

“Claire, please, just go. Don't worry.”

I hesitated, wanting to argue. At least I had to take care of his wounds but I saw the pain and shame in his eyes, and I knew that I wouldn't win the argument so I stood up and walked into my room, my hands still shaking terribly.

Loans?

My father was in debt?

How big was it? How big is it that they had to threaten his life because of it?

And twenty four fucking hours?

How exactly did he get himself involved in this mess with Deluca of all people?

We didn't talk about it for the rest of the day. Not while I was cleaning his wounds, not even when we were eating the dinner I had thrown together.

He was just acting like nothing happened and I decided to respect his space and not bring it up. At least for today.

He has a lot of questions to answer tomorrow.

The next morning, when I woke up my dad wasn't at home.

It was so early and he couldn't possibly be off to work this early.

I tried not to panic as I dialled his number but it went straight to voicemail.

Fuck it

What exactly is going on and where is he?

We should be talking about this. Thinking about how to handle it together.

I've heard a lot about De Luca. Everybody has.

And from what I've gathered, if he says he says he will kill in the next twenty four hours, then he would, no matter where the target was hiding.

And I am sure that my father doesn't have the amount of money needed to save his life.

My knees were weak, and my heart was just beating wildly as I thought about the whole event.

I've decided not to waste time asking myself why my father was in so much debt but to think of a possible solution.

Besides, hours of racking my brain had given me the best answer.

My college tuition.

I had never asked how he was able to afford every single thing, considering the fact that I was in such an expensive school.

His job couldn't have paid for it.

This has to be it.

Which means my father is in danger, because of me.

Typical.

I rubbed my palm over my face and released an exhausted sigh, still deep in thoughts.

Right now, the only thing left for me to do…is do a one on one plea.

The idea sounded stupid and ridiculous even in my own head, but it was the only plausible idea right now.

I could see lots of reasons why It would not work.

This is De Luca we are talking about. He doesn't show mercy.

I'm probably another target in his list like my father. Why would he listen to the girl who dared to humiliate him in public?

But on the other hand, if worse gets to worse maybe he could shift his anger completely to me and that could buy my father some time?

It was stupid, and risky. He could kill me at first sight.

But I had to try.

So summoning up every single courage I had left in me, I got ready and headed straight to De Luca's quarter, praying that I would see him.

Chapter 2

When I approached the new night club where a friend had told me he would likely be at, I walked straight to the stairs and walked upstairs to the VIP section, not giving myself a chance to hesitate or think twice.

I'm gonna do this, whatever happens let it be so.

A huge man stopped me before I could walk into the closed section.

“Who the fuck are you and what do you want?” He growled his nostrils flaring.

I swallowed as I tried to look over his huge shoulders to confirm if De Luca was in there but he was just too broad for me to get a clear glimpse.

“Hey, this is a closed area, get out before I carry you out myself.”

“I…I'm sorry I just want to see De Luca for a minute. This is important business.”

He scoffed, and rolled his eyes “There are at least a dozen ladies in here wanting to see the boss too. Get out.”

What was I trying to say?

That I'm one of these desperate girls?

Anger flared and I looked him squarely in the eye, “Listen to me, I'm not one of those ladies. I'm here on important business so you either let him know that or I'll start breaking things — expensive things.”

What was I doing?

This man could pick me up between his fingers and flare me away like nothing.

Before he could open his mouth, another huge guy approached him and whispered something in his ears.

His brows rose and he smirked, “Lucky bitch. Go on in, the boss wants to see you.”

My knees weakened and I swallowed.

Oh, I definitely wasn't feeling so lucky at the moment.

I'm possibly about to sign my own death warrant.

I brushed past the bodyguard and walked into the VIP section, trying as much as I could to not betray any emotions with my facial expressions.

Xavier was sitting at the far end of the room, looking as glorious as ever in black suit, with two girls hanging on his arms.

He grinned when I saw him and I straightened my back. I'm not gonna let him humiliate me, at least until I've gotten what I wanted.

I walked straight up to him ignoring the other men just sitting around and drinking.

“Well well well,” De Luca whistled when I stopped a few feet in front of him, “If it isn't the fierce leopard. What brings you here sweetheart? With all your charade I never imagined that I'd see you amongst the girls begging to spend time with me.”

I swallowed tightly, pushing down my annoyance at his words.

It's not going to get me anywhere — not for now at least.

“Good evening, boss De Luca, I am….”

“What are you doing here, Claire?’ The way my name rolled off his tongue was chilling to my bone, “I have to admit you have some nerves coming before me after the stunt you pulled. I could have your fingers cut off right this instant.”

“I know,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose, “I know and that is why I have come here, to apologise.”

“Well,” He raised his brow as if challenging me, “apologise.

God, how can one be so handsome and so fucking annoying at the same time?

“Boss De Luca,” I started with a smile, “I am sorry for what happened that night.”

His brow was still raised as he tilted his head, staring at me with an intensity that made me feel like he could see through my black short dress.

“That is not how you apologise pretty,” he said with a smile.

“What do you…”

“You have to kneel first.”

I inhaled sharply glaring daggers at him. I sighed deeply trying to calm myself down.

I have a bigger reason for doing this so I better put my pride and ego outside.

It is for the bigger picture, Claire. It is for the bigger picture.

It is for dad.

I nodded and took one step towards him, determined to not step out of here until I get what I want.

“I do not have to apologise about what happened few weeks back, Boss De Luca,” I Said and he scoffed, “I had just come back from New York after five years so yes i do not know who is who in the town, who is the big dog and all that, so you really can't blame me for defending myself when a stranger gropes and disrespects me in a nightclub.”

His smile did not falter and I continued, trying not to make my irritation obvious, “I am not going to apologise for looking out for myself however I am going to apologise for my ignorance and my overreaction. I went too far, and I am deeply sorry for humiliating you the way I did.”

“You are still standing,”

Bastard!

I shut my eyes for a second and went down on my knees without hesitation and I just wish that in a way I could go over there and smack that triumphant look out of his face.

“Atta girl.”

“Boss De Luca,” I started my eyes burning, “I am not kneeling for me. My knees are touching your floors because I am here for my dad.”

“Antonio Montgomery.” I answered, at his questioning gaze.

De Luca’s eyes widened and he burst out into laughter.

The sound of his laughter grated my nerves and my eyes burned hotter, as I bit my lips in embarrassment.

“You are Anonio’s daughter? Damn.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Interesting. So why exactly are you here?”

I clenched and unclenched my jaw, “I came back and saw your men in our place beating up my dad. It came to my knowledge that he was owing you.”

“Yes. And judging from you kneeling now I am gonna assume that you are not here to give me my money.”

I shook my head, “No boss. But I would love to apologise and make a promise. I know that he might have delayed but i would love to take my father’s debts upon me,”

“Interesting….”

“My father is old, and well….i do not have any excuses for him. On his behalf, I am so sorry and I promise that I am going to personally pay off the debts, but all I need is a little time, and your men off my father’s back.”

“What exactly are you asking for?”

“Let us call it a transfer of aggression. I will be the one owing you, not my father.”

He didn't speak for a minute and my knees were already burning from the carpet but I did not complain.

“Well, I have to commend your bravery Claire. But no, I do not do that here.”

“But….”

“However I can think of something that would work for both of us..”

My ears perked up and he stood up from his chair suddenly appearing like a giant from where I was kneeling.

“I will not just let your father off the hook….i will also clear the debts and forget all about it _”

Uh oh. I knew that look. I have seen that take countless times.

What is the catch?

“But I only want one thing in return….. In return for your father’s freedom, I get to have you for a year as my pet.”