Chapter 54: Shooter

Luca's POV 

“Stephanie,” I said.

Alex blinked. “I don’t think I recognise that name, boss.”

“You wouldn’t,” I replied, voice low. “She was one of the girls Alexa used to bring in. For her pleasure. Our pleasure, as Alexa used to say.”

I shook my head a little.

“But it was always her thing more than mine. I was fine with just Alexa, you know. But she had a taste for trying things... different things. Stephanie was one of them.”

Alex nodded slowly. “Still, why would she want to kill you?”

“I don’t know,” I said truthfully.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Maria.

I looked at the screen, then at Alex. “Did you tell her?”

“Who, Maria? No.” Alex replied quickly.

I answered.

“Luca?” Maria’s voice was anxious. “What’s going on? The security here just told me you were attacked. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Don’t you worry.”

Alex’s phone vibrated now and he stepped to the side to answer. A moment later, he turned to me. “Our team is here.”

I nodded, then returned to Maria. “Security’s here to get me. I’ll be on my way home soon, okay? Just stay where you are. Don’t go out. I’ll be fine.”

She hesitated. “Okay. Please come home soon.”

“I will,” I said, then ended the call.

A few moments later, the door opened and members of my security walked in with two others from the hotel.

“Boss,” one of them said in Italian. “We’re truly sorry for the incident. Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I said, brushing past them.

Alex wasn’t so calm. “What’s the update? How are you tracking the shooter?”

“We’re already on it,” one said. “The hotel security said they’re ready to help. Should we work with them?”

“Yes,” I said before Alex could stop them. “Work with them. We need every help we can get. I need that shooter.”

They nodded and followed behind as we made our way out of the hotel and into the car my security had brought.

The drive home was fast but also silent.

The closer we got to the house, the more I could feel something shift in my chest.

Immediately I got inside my home, I could already see Maria pacing around.

She rushed forward the moment I stepped into the house and wrapped her arms around me.

I held her back, burying my face in her hair for a moment.

She smelled good, really good. Like something soft and warm that I didn’t deserve.

She pulled back, looking up at me. “You’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Louisa came down the hallway. “Should I make something for you, sir?” She asked in Italian.

“No,” I replied back. “Maybe later. Or in the morning.”

Maria walked with me up the stairs. We didn’t speak.

When we got to the room, she helped me out of my jacket, then slowly started with my shirt.

Her hands moved gently, but her eyes were searching me. Like she knew something was off.

“I want a shower,” I muttered.

She nodded.

I finished taking off my clothes, not waiting for her help this time. Pants, underwear, everything came off.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Hot water poured down my body.

But I didn’t move.

I just stood there, water hitting and burning my skin but my mind was somewhere far away. Far away but blank.

I was thinking of Stephanie but I wasn't entirely sure what I was thinking about but it just had to do with why she would want to kill me.

I heard movement.

Then arms wrapped around me from behind. Soft skin. Bare. Wet hair pressing against my back. Maria's breasts warm against me.

My sweet Maria. My doll.

She didn’t say anything.

She just held me.

I let her. And for a while, it was just the sound of water and silence.

Then I opened my mouth.

Not sure what I wanted to say but I knew I wanted to say something.

“I know the shooter,” I finally said. “And I think I know why she might have wanted to kill me.”