Chapter 25

Luca’s POV

Mara jumped back, started, as I causally turned my head in time to see Sandra following closely behind, like she would get another show. I noticed Levi Calaver’s eyes instantly cut towards my wife, making me growl. “Why didn’t you lock my door on your way out?”, I asked, turning my eyes back to Sandra. “I’m sorry, sir”, she said, flustered.

“I see Sherry Marcio got you as well. How much did she do you in for?”, Levi asked, making my eyes snap to him. “Sandra, out”, I ordered. Sandra fled the room, closing the door behind her. I stood from my spot on the coffee table, and turned toward him, cutting his view of my wife. “What do you want, Calaver?”, I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest. “Honestly? I don’t remember anymore. I’m too focused on how you managed to get the gold prize. And you’ve tamed her too”, this stupid mother fucker.

“Watch your tongue, Levi, or I’ll rip it from your head”, I growled, letting my arms fall to my sides. “Tell me, Luca, is she tight? She fought too much for me to succeed”, he said enthusiastically, rubbing his hands together like he was being presented with a delicious meal.

I took one large step towards him, clearing the distance between us. When my fist connected with his jaw, I heard it break, and Levi fell to the ground, out cold. I turned toward Mara, who’s eyes were as wide as an owl’s. “Explain, piccola”, I growled, barely holding it together. Mara swallowed hard as she looked from Levi to me.

“Where do I start?”, she asked shakily. “He obviously lent your mother money. So, why don’t you start with when he came to collect”, I seethed, my vision was beginning to blur. I could barely see the tears in Mara’s eyes. “Luca”, she uttered. My rage burned so brightly, that I couldn’t stop myself from pinning her to the sofa. “I need to know, Mara. The images in my head won’t stop”, I growled in agony.

“The actual incident won’t make the images any better, Luca”, she whispered. “I need to know”, I said, burying my head in her neck, to try and calm myself. “It was kind of like the night I met you. I had come home from work. He was there with two other guys”, she began to explain. She took a stuttered breath and continued.

“Mom owed him five grand. I told him I could give him $2,500 then and the rest later. But that’s not what he had in mind. Mom agreed he could have me, but I fought”, she uttered. “He had his detail try to hold me down. While I fought them, he managed to get my pants off. I threw a low blow and kicked him in the nuts to escape. I ended up in the woods down the road. I hid there until they left”, she finished explaining.

She was right, the real encounter did not help the images in my head. I placed a soft kiss on her neck before pushing myself off the sofa. I walked over to Levi and kicked him in the side, making him stir. “Wake up, you piece of shit”, I growled. Levi’s eyes fluttered open and closed, before he fully opened them. “W-what’s going on?”, he stuttered. I reached down and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, and yanked him up. “We are going to have a little talk, you and I”, I said gutturally. Levi’s eyes grew wide.

“The woman you so openly disrespect and admit to attempting to rape, is my wife. I should cut your dick off and shoe it in your ass. But, instead, I’m going to leave you with a warning. If you ever utter another word about my wife, I will dismember you, piece by piece, for days until there is nothing left of you”, I threatened slowly, and darkly, so that he knew I meant what I said.

Levi shuttered, “I’m sorry, Luca. I didn’t know she was your wife”, he said, frightened. “You do now. Get the fuck out of my office”, I said harshly, as I released him. Levi fell to his knees then quickly scrambled to his feet to flee the room. I stared at the door that closed behind him. The anger that still coursed through my veins was palpable.

I felt a gentle touch on the middle of my back making me whip around. Mara jerked back in a flinch. “I’m sorry, piccola. Please don’t flinch away from me”, I said softly, changing my tone for her. Her eyes told me so many stories, all of them sad. “Mia Bella, are you scared of me right now?”, I asked, cautiously. She shook her head.

I reached my hand up and stroked her cheek. “I’m not mad at you, gattina (kitten). I’m proud of you. You know that, right?”, I asked. Mara took a deep breath and released it but she never answered me. I swallowed hard, “I’m proud of you, baby girl. You have one hell of a spirit”, I stated clearly and with conviction, so that she knew I wasn’t lying.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. I’m sick of this fucking place for the day”, I muttered, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. I helped her pal up all of her school work, then threw her bag over my shoulder. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, piccola”, I said, lacing my fingers with hers.