You Will Be Mine(88)

I was still talking with Melinda about the whole sordid thing when Tony came bounding through the door. His face was ashen, and his breathing was harsh. I knew instantly something was very wrong.

“What’s happened?” I stood to attention, waiting and hoping that what I was feeling was wrong.

Luca. Please, God—not my Luca.

“Clara.” His tone was so soft and so gentle that it made my heart ache. Tears were brimming in my eyes, and before I knew it, they were flooding down my face.

“Please, Tony, no. Please. I don’t want to hear it.” I shook my head frantically as he came over to take me in his arms.

He grabbed my face and locked his eyes with mine. “We don’t know yet. We aren’t sure what’s happened. Luca went to a meeting in Soho. Stefano arranged it all. He said that one of his business partners wanted to see him, so he went. Two minutes ago, I got a phone call. One of our men managed to tell me that it was a set-up—a trap. There was a big shoot out, and a lot of men got killed. I don’t know who because the line went dead. I’ve been trying to call Luca, but I can’t get through.”

Panicking, I ran to the phone and frantically tried ringing his number. All I got was voicemail each time, and it was tearing my heart out.

“What do we do?” I was desperate. For the first time in my adult life, I felt completely powerless.

Just as Tony was about to respond, the phone rang. I immediately grabbed it, hoping and praying it was Luca.

“Is this Clara Murphy?”

“Yes.” Oh God, please don’t let this be someone telling me that Luca is dead. Please.

“We haven’t met yet, but my name is Giovanni Belatoni. I’m Luca’s uncle.”

My breathing hitched up a notch. “Do you know where he is?”

“I’m trying to find out now, but I know Luca—above all else—will desperately want to make sure you’re safe. Is there anywhere you can go until I can find out what’s happened?”

With shaking hands, I let the tears fall. “Yes.”

Giovanni sighed. “Good. Please put Tony on the phone with me briefly. After that, you must leave immediately.”

With my hands still shaking, I handed the phone to Tony. With a worried brow he said, “Of course, sir. I shall do that straight away. Thank you, sir.”

He handed me back the phone, and as soon as he did, panic ensued. Grabbing my coat, bag, and phone, I ran out of my office—screaming for everyone to meet me in the hall.

“We haven’t got time for this, Clara. You’re my priority.”

I glared at him and I pulled my arm away from his grip. “Are you willing to leave Belinda behind?” I knew he wasn’t, and that was why I asked. Once he shook his head and sighed, I leaned closer to him. “Then don’t ask me to do the same to my girls. I won’t leave them behind. I will never leave them behind. Do you get me?”

Seeing a hint of a smile, I knew he was now comparing me to Luca. It didn’t make me smile. It just broke my heart.

“I get you, Clara. Let’s go.”

One by one, Tony, Melinda, and I rounded everyone up and told them all that we were going to the lodge. Once outside, we clambered into all the available cars and I gave directions to Tony, who led the fleet towards the lodge.

When I realised everyone was inside and safe, I ventured off into my main bedroom with Tony and Belinda in hot pursuit.

They shut the door behind them, and I watched their worried faces as I paced the floor. “I can’t stay cooped up in here. It will drive me crazy. I need to do something. I need to find him.”

Looking over at Belinda, I could sense Tony’s concern. “I understand, but you can’t. It’s too dangerous. Luca would never forgive me if I didn’t take care of you.”

With tears in my eyes, I stopped my pacing. “He promised he would never leave me.” I saw the anguish in their faces and almost lost it. Belinda rushed to my side and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Knowing that Belinda had me, Tony left us in peace.

“Tony will get to the truth. We’ll have some news soon enough, I’m sure.”

After a few more tears, Tony came back in the room with some golden liquid in a glass. “Here, take this to calm your nerves a bit.”

I did as instructed and marched out the door to find a mass of worried eyes bearing down on me. If the room hadn’t been silent before, it was now.

Walking over to the sofa, I sat in between my favourite girls, Belinda, Mia, Samantha, and Melinda. One by one, they took me in their arms and stroked my hair. If it wasn’t for them, I think I would have lost it.

The minutes ticked by, and not a word was said by anybody. Every little noise that vibrated through the house was putting Luca’s men on high alert.