Luca

“Well the way I see it you have three choices. You could call her, but I doubt she’d pick up anyway and a phone call is so impersonal so I don’t think you should take option one.”

“And the other two?” I searched his eyes looking for an answer.

“Well option two, you wait for her to calm down, hope to God she stays put and then talk to her tonight, tell her how you feel. Or three you get your ass back to that house right now where I know she’s busy packing her bags and beg her to hear you out. Get on your God damn knees and tell her how you feel and hopefully she’ll give you a second chance.”

“What do you think my odds are?” I asked knowing already what option I chose.

“Well if you wait I’d say slim to none; if you haul ass now I’d say fair.”

I shot up out of my chair and grabbed my jacket. I had to make this work, there was no way I was screwing this up.

“Tell Rosa to hold all my calls and cancel all my meetings I’m gonna be busy for the rest of the day.” I snapped.

“Tell her yourself.” Freddie snapped back, “I’m coming with you to make sure you don’t fuck this up.”

“Fine.”

We flew down the back stairs and out into the underground carpark where my car was haphazardly left at an angle over two spaces after being angrily parked a few hours earlier that morning. I started the engine and spun the wheels as I threw the car into gear and propelled us forward. I called Rosa on speaker phone and told her I was out all day and she assured me all my meetings and calls would be dealt with. I had some serious damage control to take care of. I needed to get my house into order, literally.

When we pulled up to the driveway we found the gates wide open. We shared a cautious glance at each other and made our way down the drive to the house. When we got to the front door it was unlocked. My senses told me everything was wrong, I felt bile rise from my stomach as I stepped from the car and into the house. What I saw sent me into a spiral of panic.

Chairs were over turned, tables knocked on their sides and glass smashed on the floor. Two cups of what looked like coffee had fallen onto the cream rug by the sofas. I walked over and bent down to touch the beige splatters but they weren’t hot, not even warm. They’d been there at least an hour or two.

“What the hell happened here? Do you think she trashed the place befo

re leaving?” Freddie asked picking up a table and setting it back in place as he spoke.

“No. It wouldn’t matter how pissed off she was, she’d never do this.” I replied, looking around me at the devastation.

“What’s that?” Freddie said pointing to the glass doors leading to the pool outside.

On the glass there was some kind of picture taped up. I walked over to take a closer look and I knew straight away what had happened; every inch of my body shook with fear and fury as I ripped the picture off the glass and looked at the image.

I was lying on one of the sun beds by the pool, Chloe was above me. It had been taken days ago when we’d had sex by the pool. Chloe was riding me and whoever took this photo had been in my yard, standing metres away from us. Watching, waiting like a predator.

I flipped the photo over and on the back in thick black letters.

‘I’ve taken back what’s mine. S’

He’d got her. God knows how he’d got in but he’d taken her. Eduardo Sanchez, filthy trafficker and scum of the earth had taken my Chloe and God knows what he was doing with her now but he wouldn’t have her for long. I was coming for him. I was going to kill him.

Chapter 26

Two hours earlier…

I dragged the overstuffed suitcase I’d borrowed from Luca’s collection down the staircase, bumping it roughly along each step before it finally hit the ground and toppled over with the effort of being moved so forcefully. I hadn’t been entirely sure that I should take the outfits and things Gina had brought for my stay here, I felt like I wanted to just leave but then why should I leave behind good clothes meant only for me? Toiletries and products that would go to waste otherwise if left behind. Plus not to mention the fact that Luca Marquez owed me, he owed me big time. So I crammed every damn thing I could into that case and didn’t give it a second thought.

I cast my gaze around the living area day dreaming of all the things that had happened to me since I’d been taken from the strip club that night. The hustle on Marco and Vinnie that first night playing poker, the parties and nights under the blanket with Freddie watching films and T.V and the countless arguments and make up sessions Luca and I had. It felt like the end of an era. After today I wouldn’t ever see any of them again, not if I could help it anyway.

The buzzer from the main gate outside tore through my reverie pulling me into the now so fast I gave a startled yelp. My first thought was Luca had come back to apologise, but then why would he buzz his own gate to gain entry? I went over to the computerised key pad, monitor and security hub on the wall. Standing looking up at the camera mounted above the gate outside was Teresa’s daft grinning face. She was wearing a track suit and trainers and pulling a suitcase as if she was off on her holidays, a massive pair of sunnies perched on the top of her head. The sight of her made my heart jolt, it was as if the Gods had seen I needed a friend and sent their angel to me in my hour of need. An angel to whisk me away from all the drama and heart ache.

I pressed the intercom to speak.

“T, oh my God what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see you Chica.” She gave a little jump and giggle as she spoke, like she was going to take me away from this all for a Thelma and Louise style vacay, only without the cliff at the end hopefully!

“You are one hell of a sight for sore eyes today I can tell you. Hold on I’ll open the gate and leave the front door unlocked for you okay? Just head on up.”