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Chapter Sixteen
Last Updated:
2024-10-24 04:59:58
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His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Seventeen
EmmaI walk through the evening like a zombie, the ring a stark reminder that I'm only here because my father and Luca's father deemed it a good business deal to tie our families together using us as collateral.Once, I would have been perfectly happy to be standing beside Luca, but I don't feel like his equal anymore, and that doesn't bode well for me.My finger still smarts, the stinging giving way to swelling around the metal he placed on, knowing it would never be removed again.For some reason unknown to me, I feel somewhat honoured he would give me a ring I had always fantasised about owning and in the face of admitting that he would never let me go by ensuring the ring would never leave my body again unless I were dead and they severed my finger to claim back the heirloom that now belongs on my ring finger.I hadn't known his grandfather designed the ring to hurt the one he loved. I hadn't expected that, but it doesn't seem unsurprising. Men in the mafia seem to have dark souls
Last Updated : 2024-10-25His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Eighteen
The kiss takes me back to a simpler time when we would sneak kisses like this at every opportunity while believing our young love could get us through anything.His hands cinch at my waist as he picks me up, moving us to the kitchen counter on the island not far from us. My dress rides my thighs, allowing access to spread my legs where he chooses to settle."Fuck, bambina," he murmurs against my neck as he nips, licks and sucks at the skin that's on fire from his attention."Luca...""Shh, don't tell me to stop, bambina.""Please—," I pray, beg; I don't know why I fucking said that word.Am I encouraging him?Do I want this?Could we...?"Put her down; you're in public," my papa's voice booms around us, the distant smell of sweat and whisky infiltrating my senses as Luca pulls back, only to rest his forehead against my own."Mr Rossi, to what do we owe this fucking pleasure?" Luca growls at my father, stepping back only enough to angle his body to see my father standing at the door we
Last Updated : 2024-10-25His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Nineteen
LucaI've always been taught to face my problems with stealth and indifference, so I have no clue why I ignored Emma for four days, avoiding her as if she were the plague.Besides the times I watch her sleep, we lack crossing paths, but even so, tonight's unplanned dinner with my parents throws a spanner in the works.They called not an hour ago, telling me they would be turning up within the hour. I've agonised over whether to keep the dinner between the three of us or invite my wife-to-be.I decided upon the latter, though I wonder whether that's a good idea or not, considering Anna has whined that Emma continued asking where I was these last few days. I hate to think she would out my behaviour to my parents.Whatever, it's not like I have a choice in the matter of marrying her, but her father's hushed words had me wondering what type of hold he had over her decisions and exactly how far she would go to make her 'papa' happy.Did she really think I wouldn't eavesdrop on their conver
Last Updated : 2024-10-26His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Twenty
"Appearances," Emma whispered beside me as she walked into the dining room with an emerald evening gown on as if she were attending a dinner at an event she didn't want to attend. But her feet are bare, precisely as they should be in her home."Mr Moretta, Mrs Moretta, it's so lovely to have you over for dinner," Emma greets them quietly, confidently."You look beautiful, Emma, but please just use our names," my mother grins at Emma with that warmth she's always given Emma."What's so important to call for dinner out of the air like this?" I ask, walking to sit beside Emma instead of taking my usual pew at the north head of the table."There was an attempt on my life this morning," my father admits. Those worry lines deepen as he watches me brace the back of Emma's chair with a tight fist of annoyance.The timing couldn't have been more inconvenient if they tried.If I hadn't stopped myself, I would have sworn my hand would have entangled itself in Emma's long blonde locks to grasp fo
Last Updated : 2024-10-26His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Twenty One
EmmaI'm unsure why I'm upset that Luca will be gone for at least forty-eight hours or more; it's not like we spend every waking minute with one another in some loved-up bliss before our seemingly fake wedding.The thing is, since he put this contraption on my finger, we've spent less than half an hour with one another, and twenty-eight minutes of that was at the dinner table with his parents.Unfortunately, I was tasked with getting rid of his parents on top of the emotional turmoil that he was walking into an ambush with a man who had already tried to kill his father because that's what this is, isn't it?An ambush.My training makes me question all of their sanity, but right here and now, I have his mother to contend with."Take a walk with me?" She asks, leaving her husband's side to grab for my elbow in encouragement.I don't point out that I have no shoes; I know it's a ploy to give the two Moretta men time to talk.Who am I to turn down their need for privacy?"Sure."She walks
Last Updated : 2024-10-27His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Twenty Two
"I'm sure you've seen his mood swings firsthand, and you felt the slick sweat covering his skin. He was lost after my husband had you sent away. He searched for a new way to fill the hole you've always been able to fill for him. But you must open your eyes to see you were too in love, far too soon. A teenage boy is reckless at the best of times, but throw in the weight of the crown that would one day be bestowed upon him and then a girl, one he fell irrevocably in love with so early on that his life started and ended with you from the age of nine..." she chuckles humorously. "I think you'll agree that you would only have been a distraction, a target to have been taken, knowing the young Moretta would die a thousand deaths only to save the girl he saved once before. Many call it childish love; my husband and I chose to call it stupidity of the heart.""E allora, avete deciso tutti il nostro destino come se non avessimo voce in capitolo nel nostro destino? Forse se me lo avessi chiest
Last Updated : 2024-10-27His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Twenty Three
LucaI haven't endeavoured to pack much because I don't plan on being away for more than a few days. Still, I ensure I have one spare set of black combats and enough straps to hold more guns to my body than ever before. I have a vest to ensure I don't get shot in vital places that might well help me bleed to an untimely death.My legs and arms will have to be sacrificed, and if they decide to shoot to kill, then my pretty face is of no use to me in the face of death.The importance of this kill strikes through me, making me cognisant of the fact that an attempt on my father's life has not happened in a long, long while.Perhaps not since he was gearing up to taking the throne from his father.Is the timing coincidental?I think not.I'm just slinging the bag over my shoulder, having given myself the pep talk to walk out of this house, intent on not returning until my charge is complete when Emma enters our bedroom. Her eyes are wide, her cheeks flushed as if she were only warming up f
Last Updated : 2024-10-28His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Twenty Four
Reaching for her ring, I turn her palm up, stroking the date sixteen years ago when she had almost drowned out of fear of falling into less than eight inches of water. It would have been so easy for her to be able to save herself, but she panicked so much that she failed the only natural instinct we are born with. Survival. That day, she failed to do the only thing our brain knows from the moment we take our first breath, just like she's panicking now.But what she doesn't know is I'm the snake. I slide in and slip out without so much as a batted eyelid.This man will be dead before tomorrow and, if not then, the early hours of the morning after.He doesn't know what's coming for him; he doesn't understand the gravity of his treachery, nor does he expect the son of the man he chose to execute to avenge such a decision.My father stated that it was a stupid move to have me fly out there, ready to kill him. And that's why he won't be expecting it. Everyone expects us to keep our securit
Last Updated : 2024-10-28
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His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety Five
It's been four fucking days of Emma sleeping in Niko's room, and I'm about ready to murder that fucker with anything that comes within a breadth of my fingertips.She's kept her distance, giving me only moments like breakfast and dinner to speak with her. It doesn't help that Bianca, too, is staying away, seemingly choosing sides with Niko and perhaps Emma.Her words of disgust haven't slipped my notice, but then again, I did have her kidnapped—she just doesn't know that I did that to prevent my father from killing her to send that much-needed message to her father.Bianca is disrespecting my home and myself, something I'm only putting up with because she's Emma's sister.Anyway, enough of them. I've decided to take things into my own hands. I need to get Emma away from whispered opinions that might be our undoing. And a business deal came up at the last minute.Call it an excuse to get her out of my compound. Or call it a coincidence that my father called for me to leave as soon as p
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety Four
LucaEmma is nowhere to be found after seeing my father and mother off the property, but I have no doubt where she's hiding, and I disfavour that deeply.For a long moment, I stand before Niko's door, my hand midair as I contemplate knocking and demand she sleep anywhere but his room. A jealous side of me that lives rent-free inside me has surfaced. After all, before my father turned up with his fake apology, we had been communicating more effectively than ever before.I think about where she could stay—even upstairs in one of the other's rooms while they bunk up would be favourable—but something stops me.Sighing, I step back from the door. I have to start making good decisions, and bowling on there right now to demand Emma come to bed with me will be far too pushy and far too soon.Even I know that. I'm treading in murky waters without recollection of safe ground. I'll have to move carefully and consider each decision—contemplate Emma's reactions to ensure I don't make another wro
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety Three
Emma"We should leave. It would be best if you didn't stay with him," Bianca notes unhappily as Niko finishes replaying my utterly private conversation in a condensed form that suits him.Luca's parents have just left, and though I feel as if Luca and I had a breakthrough that was much needed and is something I honestly want to explore more, I decided to come back to Niko's room to give myself time to recuperate and also keep the distance that perhaps is the right course of action for the pair of us at the moment.Niko is hissing unhappily in his weapons closet, gathering a few articles of clothing that I presume he intends to change into for bed. The evening is upon us, and despite not having eaten dinner yet—even though I can smell it cooking, I'm ready to fall into a mattress to sleep.Apparently, Niko is done with work today, and he's adamant that he should probably find another room to sleep in.Of course, I told him not to be silly. This is his room, not mine, so it should be Bi
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety Two
Niko opens the office door. He moves stiffly as he swings the door to reveal my father and mother. Neither says a word to me or looks my way. He just opens his palm to offer my parents into my office in cold silence.Emma instantly begins to move from my lap, so I hold her back, enabling her to turn to face them, silently stipulating that she stays put.This irks both Niko and my father, but I pay no mind to their opinions."Mother... father.""Good evening," my mother greets us, walking in with a delicate smile to sit opposite us.Her gaze wavers as she sees the screwed-up gauze and bullet sitting proudly for her to look at. Her gaze searches for my father with contempt, and it's then I realise my father obviously wasn't as forthcoming with his role in my injury as he should have been."Are you okay?" My mother asks me."Just fine; what are you doing here?" I grit out. I can't quite raise my gaze to my father's but glance at him, moving to stand beside my mother."I'm sorry, son. I s
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety One
LucaLeaning forward, I catch Emma's neck and hold her still before me. She's apologising, which irks me, so I tell her so with a deep voice of control."You have nothing to apologise for, bambina.""I hit you," she sighs, running her fingertip over the slight swelling around my eye.She did hit me, and rightly so. I was acting manic; I wasn't allowing her space. I refused to let her leave and all that after I wrongly accused her of cheating which I still need to investigate who exactly sent me those damn fucking images.They say pictures tell a thousand words; well, perhaps they conceal a thousand truths.I can completely accept that she felt backed into a corner, and I'm glad she raised her back to me in a way.The fact she can stand up to me is something our relationship obviously needs, but I don't wish to push her so close to the edge to cause her to strike out.I want to be better; I intend to be better. I don't know how, but I will strive to be the man she deserves—if she lets
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Ninety
The mafia business follows mafia protocols. Luca obviously upset his father enough to provoke this reaction from him. Besides, I'm not sure I want to argue with him after he's lost an evidentially large amount of blood.I pour us both a drink, passing one tumbler to him as he assesses me with hooded eyes. I have no clue what he's thinking right now, and for once, I see the pain etched on his handsome face. The liquid burns my throat as I swallow the tumbler full, but after the last few days, I feel that I need something to steady me and look at his arm.I'm not squeamish, not really, but I was right. After ripping his shirt open, I note his shoulder is a bloody mess with flesh sticking out of a close proximity shot from what I can only presume is a pistol. Blood trickles out the hole and down across his skin as I assess him flexing the hole."You need a doctor; it's still inside—," I note as the gold bullet shines back at me and the blood surrounding it dribbles down onto his peck."
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Eighty Nine
EmmaI woke up from a restless night's sleep to face a new day with a fresh perspective. Throughout the night, I had been nestled between Bianca and Niko on his bed whilst cuddling Bianca, but in the morning, I turned to look at Niko.He was still clearly in pain, his abdomen showing worsening signs with mottled purple hues. Despite the doctor's miraculous revelation that nothing was broken, Niko was seriously bruised, and that coincided with his lack of sleep overnight.I spent some time simply observing his breathing, silently contemplating how to best care for him. And though I lay there promising myself not to think about the events of last night, my mind wandered. Had my behaviour triggered Luca's response just as much as his triggered mine in the kitchen?It feels as if we've been conditioned to tiptoe around one another for fear we'll lose one another again, and I know that my father dislikes that I was called home to fulfil his promise. So, are we exasperating the problems r
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Eighty Eight
"Your mother warned me that you seemed off the other night, but I didn't want to admit that perhaps this takeover has put too much on your shoulders too quickly. But this," he bellows, stabbing his pointer finger into his phone. "This is very, very disappointing.""I'm sure it is, father.""I never raised you to be this type of man," he adds with a fist on the desk."We sell women to the highest fucking bidder; we hurt women every day of our lives. Force them to uproot everything they know, to lose their families and dreams and aspirations to sell them to the next man, one that probably has a weird ass kink that the girl has never even heard of yet a few measly marks on my wife's neck is too much for you to handle?" I scoff. "Oh yeah, besides that, you never taught me to lay my hands on a woman.""We sell women to men that are vetted. They are safe, fed, looked after," he shakes his head. "I have a team checking on each girl that passes through our hands at least once every few months
His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1 Chapter Eighty Seven
LucaContemplating my life is not a task I like to take part in. But here I sit, five tumblers deep, as I assess every fuck up I've made since Emma came back to me.I love the girl so profoundly that my behaviour stems from fear of losing her for a second time, yet this time, it is me who is making the decisions; it's me who is pushing her away.I can't believe I hurt her as I did in the kitchen. I can't believe I allowed that insidious side my father nurtured to take over and cause her harm.Her, of all fucking people.Why must I keep making these mistakes?Why can't I treat her as I always did when we were younger?Can she even love me after seeing the monster I've indeed become?These are the things I contemplate in my alcohol-induced haze.Emma never resurfaced from Niko's room, and though I could have barged in when the doctor let himself out, I knew it was the wrong thing to do.So instead, I stood in the darkness of the unlit hall, waiting for her to leave the room, hoping that
