Chapter 66: Chapter 66

It's been three long, excruciating weeks since I ordered Luca to leave. And he did, he packed everything up and flew back to Italy taking my Rosalia with him. The thing that hurt and still hurts the most is I never got the chance to say goodbye to her. I only had her in my life for a short time before she was taken again. I haven’t heard from any of them, no call, texts, email or even a postcard to tell me they’re okay. I only recently learned of their departure when Roman had called me to meet him at his office.

“Nessa, how are you?” He asked as I walked through his office door.

“I’m healing slowly but I’m getting there.”

“You’re looking a lot better from the last time I saw you.” I catch a glimpse of a smile on his face.

“I asked you here because there are some things I need to discuss with you regarding my firm.” He pulls out a contract from his top drawer in his desk.

“This” He slides it across the table towards me. “Belongs to you. Thirty per cent of my company will become yours once you sign those papers.” He looks at me intently.

I reach forward and pick up the contract and quickly scan through the first couple of pages.

“I don’t understand.” I look at him.

“I know you are well aware that Luca packed up what he could and sold everything else.”

“Yes,” I say quietly, wondering what Luca has to do with this.

“He came to see me the day he left, he wanted to sell his security firm to me way under the value he should’ve sought for. At first, I was shocked to learn that he was selling it as his firm had great potential. Then he told me he was only doing what you asked him to do and leave.” He pauses.

“I wanted him to leave me alone, not leave the damn country,” I say pissed off.

Roman sighs. “I agreed to buy his firm, he only asked for one thing in return and that was to give you Thirty per cent of the company, and give you the keycard to his penthouse that has now been signed over to you.”

I looked at Roman through wide eyes. I was shocked into silence, and I hated that Luca still had the ability to that to me when he left the damn country three weeks ago.

I close the contract that still played in my hands and slid it across the table.

“I don’t want it.” I stand and make my way over to his door.

“It's your weather or not you sign the contract Nessa.” He stands and walks around his desk, stopping in front of me. “Take it and move on.” He pulls out Lucas keycard for his penthouse and places it in my hands.

“I've already transferred a large sum of money into your bank account.” He gently pulls me in for a hug and tells me to look after myself and to sign the damn contract.

I left his office crying.

I eventually did sign the contract after listening to everyone telling me to do it. I told Roman I have no plans in overseeing what he does and for him to just carry on like normal and do what he’s been doing best. Every time someone brings up the company, I’m jolted back to that day and Luca crosses my mind.

“Nessa, you ready?” I look up and Carlos is standing in front of me.

“Hey.” I smile at him and stand.

I've come to the hospital for my final check-up. It's been nearly two months since the attack and I'm slowly starting to move around without being in pain. It’s a great feeling, knowing you’re able to shower and wipe your ass without hissing in pain. I walk into his office and lay on his medical bed. Carlos washes his hands, sanitizes them and pulls up the of my top exposing my belly. He slowly starts to press against my abdomen closely watching me.

“Any pain?” He says as his hands start to move over to my ribs.

“Just a little, nothing I find to be concerning.” I stare upwards at the ceiling.

“Your uterus has completely shrunken back to its original size.” His fingers press into my pelvic. “Have you had a cycle yet?” He removes his hands and lowers my top, covering my exposed skin.

“No, just some light spotting.” I swing my legs over the side of the bed and sit up.

“Any pain or slight discomfort” He washes his hands again and takes a seat at his desk.

“Just some slight cramping .”

“That’s normal.” Carlos starts typing, adding notes onto my file. “How’s your head.” He stops and looks at me.

“Better than my heart.” I sigh.

Carlos stands, he walks towards me and leans against the bed next to me. We both stare out his window, admiring the beautiful blue skies.

“Sanz told me you quit the Academy?”

“Yip, Teaching was never really my dream job.”

“What will you do now?”

“For now, I’m just going to take one day at a time.” I look at him and smile.

“It's......” Carlos was cut off when Anton comes barging through the door.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” Carlos yells at him

I quickly stand and stay behind Carlos.

“Vanessa, we need to move.” Anton reaches behind Carlos and tries to grab my arm.

“No!” I shake him off.

“It’s not safe, you have to come with me now!”  He attempts to grab me again, Carlos pushes Anton and he stumbles back, releasing my hand.

“She fucking said no!” Carlos takes a step closer towards him.

“What are you doing here!” I yell at him. “Why are you still following me?” I say in disbelief.

Anton stands tall, he looks Carlos up and down sneering at him, before his eyes land on me again.

“The Venturi’s have been taken out.” His shoulders slump and his head bows

“What?” I gasp.

Carlo’s head snaps back towards me and he’s at my side, wrapping his arms around me. “What do you mean ‘The Venturi’s  have been taken out?”

“They were cooperating with police and the plan turned south. What they thought to be a civilized meeting, to put an end to everything. The mafia ‘LA Cosa Nostra’ Got to them before the S.W.A.T team were on site. They executed them on the spot. I'm sorry Vanessa, but we have to move you to the safe house Luca allocated to us before he left.”

“I..I..I.” I stutter, I can’t form the words I want to say. I’ve lost my family, and it is my fault! I told Luca to leave and he packed up and flew back to Italy where it wasn’t safe for him or Rosalia. I did that! I couldn’t even keep my niece safe. My body starts to tremble and my phone blares to life. With shaky hands, I pull it out and Romans name flashes across the screen. I swipe the talk Icon and bring the phone to my ear, without a word spoken.

“Nessa!” Roman calls out.

“Nessa honey, you need to go with Anton now. I know he’s just got there and he’s probably already informed you... Shit! HONEY... I'm sorry. We just received information over the phone not long ago. Special Agent Marco Berlusconi called to tell us to get you to the safe house Luca had set up for you. Only Anton knows where it is so you need to get going.” The phone falls from my hand and shatters as it hits the floor. I look at Carlos and fall to my knees screaming. I scream with everything I have until I can no more. I feel Carlo’s arms reach under me and he picks me up in the bridal style.

“I’ll take her from here.” Anton steps forward with his arms stretched out.

“Like fuck you will.” Carlos glares at him. “Where is she going.”

“I can’t tell you that.” Anton starts to get restless.

“How can we contact her?”  I cling to Carlos and whimper.

“Vanessa can reach out to you when she’s no longer in danger.”

“At least let me take her to the car.” Carlos holds me closer to him.

“Let's go already then” Anton Snaps.

We take the elevator straight down to the underground car park, when the doors open the Beast is only a few feet away. Anton rushes ahead of us and opens the door, Carlos gently slides me across the seat and lightly presses a kiss on my forehead.

“I'm so... Sorry Nessa! I wish I had the power to take away your pain. Once it's safe to do so please reach out to us in some way.” He takes one good look at me before he slowly closes the door.

Anton gets behind the wheel and peels out of the car park with the wheels screeching.