Seven: Rescued.

Natalia's POV: 

His face was awfully familiar—sharp jawline, strong cheekbones, that same dark, silky hair. So similar, yet, different. He was much younger—around my age. 

There was concern in his golden green eyes, not cruelty like a certain someone’s bluish-grey ones. 

He began walking with me in his arms,  my own arms wrapped securely around his neck. “I’m Luca,” He said. “I’m sorry about my father, he can be an asshole sometimes.”

Father…? 

Then it clicked, the resemblance… “You’re Carlo’s son!” My throat felt tight.

His eyes widened slightly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “Okay, no one calls father, ‘Carlo’ well, except great-aunt. Yes, I’m his son.”

I shoved against his chest. “Put me down!” 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” his voice was a gentle whisper. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

I doubt that. “Let me go!” I said through my clattering teeth. “I can walk.”

Instead, his arms tightened around me. “I can’t, you were literally catatonic when I found you. I don’t think you’re okay.”

I was catatonic? 

“Still, put me down.” My voice was firmer this time.

Luca sighed heavily as he lowered me gently to the ground, but didn’t release me completely, his hands still firm on my shoulders. Why was he being so…caring? “Your father’s a piece of shit.”

He chucked loudly. “Don’t let him hear you though. He has a terrible temper. But you smashed his head with a wine bottle. Not that I’m excusing his behavior, but you kinda started it.”

I tried rolling my eyes and the world spun, my body swayed. 

Luca pulled me flush against his body, letting me use him as a pillar. “Shit, what happened? You’re getting colder.”

I took in a deep breath, resting my head on his arm. “I don't do well in small places… I’m claustrophobic.”

Luca cursed under his breath. “I’m sorry, I have to do this.”

“Wha—”

My words cut off as he hoisted me off the ground back into his arms. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“No, no, I can walk,” I protested.

“Don’t be silly, you look pale. You need help,” he insisted. 

I stopped resisting and let him carry me up the stairs. We got outside and I could see the clear night sky, littered with stars. The knot in my chest loosened and I dragged in my first real deep breath since getting underground to the dungeon. 

You’re safe now. No longer locked in.

I let him carry me to the mansion and through several rooms, including a large library and painting room. He paused in the middle of the corridor, steadying me on my feet. “That is my room.” He pointed to a large door at the end of the hall. “And this one here’s yours.” He pushed the sturdy door open. 

The room was bigger than I expected, almost bigger than my entire house back in the US—alright, that’s an exaggeration.  

It had a king-sized bed that had an ornate metal headboard. An antique chaise longue and vintage dressing table made up the other side. It was both feminine and classic.  

My bones were weak and I was still exhausted from the panic attack I had earlier so I dropped down on the bed—which was surprisingly soft, never slept in something this good.

“I had them arrange this for you when I arrived,” he explained as he led me inside. “I’ll get a nurse to examine you. I hope it suits your taste.”

Is he fucking serious? “Of course, I couldn't wish for a more suitable prison.” 

He winced at my obvious sarcasm. “I’m sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I wish I could help you but no one changes the capo’s mind.”

Bullshit. “There’s one thing you could do to help though.”

“Okay?”

“Take me to my sister, please.” 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Carlo’s POV:

I waited at the foot of the stairs as Luca came down the steps. “My office. Now.” 

Luca regarded me with a carefully guarded expression but said nothing as he crossed the granite floor and headed toward the other side of the mansion, to my office.

Clenching my jaws, I followed him and tried to reign in my anger. 

Once he got to the office, Luca moved closer to Enzo—who no doubt was still here to make sure I didn’t kill Luca for going against my order and interfering tonight. I slammed the door behind me. Hard. “Sit the fuck down, Luca.”

He shared a glance with Enzo before moving to take a seat next to Enzo. “You wanted to see me, padre?”

I took a seat too, behind my desk, breathing deeply to keep my head reasonably clear. As the boss, I was supposed to be level-headed and calm. It didn't always work, especially around my son, Luca. And that brat, Natalia apparently. “Who is in charge of this family, Luca?”

“You,” my son answered, dropping his gaze.

“And who the fuck is your capo?”

“You.” He fixed his eyes back on mine. 

“Then you will explain why you went against my orders and released Natalia from the dungeon, no?”

Luca frowned. “But she's my fiancèe, you said so yourself. It's not right for her to be locked up, especially not as soon as she arrived in a country far away from her own home.”

My hand slammed my desk, and Luca flinched. “I decided what is right and what happens in this family, Luca. Me—not you.” I raised my hand, pointing to my injured temple. “She smashed my head with a bottle in front of the men. A few hours in the dungeon is a small price to pay for that act. Any other person wouldn't live to see another second!”

He shook his head. “You didn't see her, papà. She's claustrophobic. She was nearly catatonic when I found her.” 

“Shit,” Enzo spoke up for the first time since we got here. 

I ignored the pang in my chest that might have been guilt. I wasn't in the wrong, she deserved to be punished. 

So, was this Luca’s attempt to play the hero? To make me appear the villain? 

You are the villain. And she should prefer him to you, stronzo.

 I don’t know why that bothered me so much. Dio, I was losing my mind. “Well, she must be grateful to you then.” I couldn't keep the bite out of my tone. 

Luca frowned, eyes narrowing suspiciously. 

I avoided his gaze and turned to pick up a cigarette and a lighter. “Leave us, I would like to have a word with Enzo, in private. But let this be the last time you go against my orders, figlio.”

“Yes, papà.” With a grin on his face, he rose to his feet, he turned to the door but paused. “Please let her see her sister, she’s really worried about her.”

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him. “That’s up to me to decide.”

He gave me a curt nod, his lips paused into a thin line.

After he left I leaned back in my chair. “He took the news about the wedding well.”

 “He is loyal,” Enzo said. “A dutiful son.”

Yes, he was. I flicked the ash at the butt of my cigarette. “It’s better this way. They are good for each other.”

A mischievous knowing smirk played on his lips.  “It sounds as if you are convincing yourself. Am I missing something here?”

 I was, but I would never admit it. “You are my oldest and closest friend, Enzo—family, even, but even that has its limits.”

Enzo scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “No, it doesn’t. I’m the only one who isn't afraid to tell you the—”

My door swung open with force, slamming into the wall. Luca rushed in,  a worried look on his face. “I… She’s gone. I can’t find her!”