Chapter 3

Luciano POV

Water dripped down my face as I stared at the debtor’s daughter, her chest heaving, as she stared at me with fury.

I smiled.

“I suppose your father has done his part.” I said coolly, almost to myself. “Taking over from here won’t be so bad.”

She stared at me, unsure of what she heard.

“Are you not normal? Is something wrong with you?” Her voice rose, disbelief and fury fighting each other on her face.

“Well.” I reached into my breast pocket and retrieved my handkerchief, pressing it slowly against my jaw. “I suppose we’ve met earlier than intended. No formal introduction necessary.”

“Why didn’t you ask for my opinion before making an insane request like that?” She stepped forward, the disgust on her face completely unfiltered. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

My guards moved between us instantly.

My smile grew.

“Ask your father.” I said simply, turning toward the door.

I heard her breath catch behind me, whether from anger or disbelief I didn’t particularly care. I adjusted my collar, dabbed once more at my face and stopped at the doorframe without turning around.

“Three days, Mr Adelaide.” My voice emptied. “After that, neither you nor what’s left of your company will see daylight.”

I walked out.

The estate was quiet when I arrived, which was pretty strange and made my heart skip a bit.

A line of staff greeted me at the entrance and Richard appeared at my side almost immediately, his eyes doing a slow inspection of my damp hair and drenched suit.

“I don’t recall you leaving the house like that.” He said carefully.

“I didn’t.” I handed my jacket to one of the maids without breaking stride. “Ariel paid me a visit.”

Richard stopped walking. “Ariel.”

“The little mermaid. Water. Keep up man.”

“Luciano.” He fell back into step beside me, pressing two fingers to his temple. “I am asking you, sincerely, as someone who has worked for you for six years, can you be serious for once?”

“I’m always serious.”

“You are not. At all.”

“I’m seriously considering giving you a pay cut if you don’t stop nagging at me.”

He exhaled heavily, deciding whether to laugh or walk away.

“Where are the kids?” I asked, moving through the hallway.

“Lovie is sleeping. Luca has been on that game since this morning, not even touching his food.” Richard said, matching my pace. “Also your father called twice while you were out.”

I said nothing.

“Luciano.”

“I heard you.”

“He said it was important.”

“And?”

Richard went quiet beside me. Even though his face was asking a thousand questions.

“You’ve been back four days.” He said finally. “You haven’t spoken to him once.”

“But he still sends you documents, full of shitty errands for me” I said, my voice stripped of all warmth.

“But he’s still your father.”

I stopped walking. “Where is Luca?” I said.

Richard held my gaze for a moment longer. Then gestured toward the upper hallway.

“Game room.” I walked towards the room.

The sound hit me before I even touched the door, Luca’s voice cutting over the noise of whatever game had held him. I shoved the door open and walked in.

He saw me and paused the screen immediately, turning to face me with a dull expression.

“Good evening, Dad.”

“We need to talk.” I settled into the chair across from him. “Richard, give us a moment.”

Richard bowed and stepped out, pulling the door behind him.

I looked at Luca.

“Luca.” I kept my voice even. “What is the problem? Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

He shifted slightly. “I’m not sure how to put it.”

“You don’t need to think about it. Just say it.”

He exhaled. “Dad, when we were leaving France you said me and Lovie were going to start school. That we’d make friends.” He paused. “It’s been four days and you haven’t said anything. I’m always bored. There’s no one to talk to.” pause. “You don’t expect me to talk to the small leech.”

“Luca.” My voice sharpened. “You will not call your sister that. Language.”

“Sorry, sir.” He dropped his eyes briefly. “But still, Dad. We hardly even see another person apart from the staff. At least in France we had neighbors.”

“I’m working on it.” I said. “Richard and I have been looking into schools.”

His brow furrowed. “But I heard you telling Richard to put a pause on it.”

“You heard wrong.” I held his gaze. “I said put a pause on business. Because finding you and Lovie a school comes first.”

Something moved across his face. The tension in his shoulders loosened alittle.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry, Dad. I was being naughty. Playing games this late just because I was angry.”

“It’s alright.” I stood. “Now go and have dinner. Then bed.”

“Yes, sir.” He straightened and gave me a salute with a serious face then rushed out.

Making me smile as I walked out into the hallway.

Then my phone rang.

I looked down at the screen.

My expression folded into something ugly.

Lazarus.