19: Prick

Maria's POV

The fire in front of me was warm, but I still felt a little chill inside me.

I sat in front of the fireplace, holding a glass of whisky. I watched the flames move, but all I could see was the car from earlier. The one that exploded behind us. 

That could have been me. One second slower, one wrong move… and I would’ve been gone.

I took a sip. The drink burned a little. I didn’t even like whisky, but it helped tonight. I just needed something.

I wasn’t crying today. Like I used to. Not anymore. Today, I was proud of myself.

I ran. I acted. I got Alex and me out. I didn’t freeze. I didn’t fall apart. And Luca… he saw that… and he looked at me with pride in his eyes.

I’m in this now. I told myself again.

Not just a guest. Not just someone Luca De Rossi was helping. I am with Luca De Rossi.

And when we’re done with Alejandro, I’ll make him find the one who messed up my apartment. I’ll make sure of it.

I heard the door open behind me.

Luca.

He walked in slowly. I didn’t turn around, but I felt his hands on my shoulders. He started to rub them, soft at first, then firmer. My body relaxed under his touch.

“You scared me today, you know that, doll?” he said close to my ear. “But you also made me proud.”

“I know,” I said softly.

His hand moved down, slipping inside my robe. His fingers found my skin, warm and careful. He touched my nipple, and I felt a small shiver run through me.

I didn’t stop him. I didn’t want to.

His hands kept exploring, slow, steady.

But I still had questions.

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” I asked, my voice quiet.

“Alex is working on it,” he said, still touching me.

“I want to know, Luca. I’m part of this now.”

He paused.

Then he came around and sat beside me. “Maria… I know you want to be, maybe help, but this part… this is where I let my men do what they do. I trust them.”

I looked at him. “And what about me?”

“You and I,” he said, “we’re the bosses. This is how I trained Alex. If he can’t handle it, I’ll step in. But I need to give him the space to lead.”

“Then train me too.”

“No.” His voice was firm now. “You barely made it out today. Do you know what that was like for me? If I lose you, Maria… I’d go crazy.”

He looked down, breathing slower. “Alejandro’s not like me. He’s worse. You think I’m dangerous? He’s another level. I wish I could tell you what he did to Alexa. It was brutal. I don’t want that for you. I need you here. Safe.”

I nodded like I understood.

But I wasn’t going to just sit around.

Not anymore.

Later that night, when Luca stepped outside to take a call, I made my move. I grabbed a jacket and slipped out.

I found Alex near the cars.

He jumped a little when he saw me. “What are you doing out here? You need to be inside.”

“No,” I said. “I’m going with you.”

“Maria...”

“I mean it. You can either let me come or I’ll find my own way there. Your choice.”

He stared at me for a second. Then he sighed.

“I hope Boss doesn't know about this?”

I didn't answer him, I just looked at him.

“Fine. But please, stay close.”

We moved fast after that. The plan was simple.

Go straight to Alejandro’s house. Blow it up. He’d never expect it—not right after we were attacked and not when he still thinks we just arrived in London today.

That was the point.

We met the rest of the team near an old building. Everyone was dressed in black. Weapons ready.

I pulled Alex aside. “Give me a gun.”

He looked unsure. “You’ve never held one before.”

“I’ll learn.”

He didn’t argue. Just reached into the back of a van and pulled out a long gun. “This one’s easier for distance. And you’ll get more shots before it empties.”

He showed me how to load it. How to hold it. Where to keep my finger. How to breathe when I shoot.

His hands were gentle, careful. He smelled good too. Clean. Sharp. Like something warm and familiar. I looked at his face. He was young—maybe even younger than I first thought. And handsome too.

I caught myself staring and quickly looked away.

No. Not the time. Not the place. Not the person.

He handed me extra bullets. “Keep these in your pocket. Reload only when it’s safe. You good?”

“I’m good.”

The men lined up. Some checked their gear. Others sat quiet, focused. Then Alex stood in front of everyone.

His voice was steady. Loud enough for all of us to hear.

“We’ve come a long way,” he said. “And tonight, we don’t stop until it’s done. That bastard thinks he can scare us. That we’ll hide.”

He looked at each man, then at me.

“But we don’t run. We hit back. Hard. And we don’t miss.”

The team shouted together. Loud. Fierce.

Then Alex looked straight ahead and said in Italian, “Let’s go show this prick who he’s messing with.”

And just like that—we moved.

Fast. Silent.

Ready for war.