An Offer
1169 Words
Raven's Pov
His name still rattled in my head, even as I busied myself with cleaning up.
I had barely gotten through the rest of my day, my mind stuck on the way he had looked at me.
Like he had already made a decision about me.
And that scared me more than anything.
“You look like you saw a ghost.”
I turned to find Lisa leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. She had already taken off her apron, her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, exhaustion in her features.
“A ghost would have been less terrifying.” I muttered, finishing the last wipe-down.
She raised a brow. “That bad?”
I exhaled, shaking my head. “I don’t know. He was just…intense.”
“That’s one way to describe him,” she said, shivering dramatically. “Luca DeLuca. The guy is practically a legend in this city, and not the good kind.”
I swallowed hard. “You know him?”
Lisa scoffed. “Everyone knows him, Rav. He’s the kind of man you don’t accidentally spill coffee on unless you have a death wish.”
My stomach twisted.
“Do you think he’s dangerous?” I asked quietly.
She gave me a pointed look. “He’s Luca DeLuca. He owns half the city, and the other half is afraid of him.”
I shivered despite the warmth of the café.
She sighed, pulling her coat on. “Listen, I’m sure it’s fine. He wouldn’t go after someone for spilling coffee, right?”
I forced a laugh, but my chest felt tight. “Yeah… right.”
Lisa checked her phone and groaned. “Crap. My brother’s outside waiting for me. Are you okay locking up alone?”
“Of course. Go, I will see you tomorrow.”
She gave me a quick hug before heading out, the bells above the door jiggling as she left.
By the time I locked up the café, the street was nearly empty. The snow had started falling again, the streets glowed under the festive decorations. It should have been peaceful.
But something felt off.
The hair on the back of my neck prickled at me.
I wasn’t alone.
I gripped my purse tighter, my heart pounding as I scanned the street.
Then, I saw them.
A black SUV parked at the curb, two men in dark suits standing beside it.
Watching me.
I took a step back toward the café door, but before I could grab my keys, the back door of the SUV opened.
And there he was.
Luca DeLuca.
His presence swallowed the entire street. Nothing could soften the sharp danger rolling off him.
He had changed into another suit, his expression guarded.
“Get in,” he said.
It wasn’t a request.
My throat went dry.
“I…”
“You don’t want to do this here, Raven.”
The way he said my name sent a shiver through me.
The two men at his side didn’t move, but I knew if I tried to run, they wouldn’t let me get far.
I looked around, hoping someone, anyone, was watching. But the streets were empty.
I didn’t have a choice.
With shaking legs, I stepped forward and slid into the SUV.
The door shut behind me.
The warmth inside the car did nothing to ease the cold fear in my bones.
Luca sat beside me, his presence almost suffocating.
The driver pulled away from the curb, making me even more afraid.
I forced myself to breathe. “Where are we going?”
Luca didn’t answer right away.
Instead, he studied me, his gaze sweeping over my face, like he was figuring me out.
“You are nervous.” he finally said.
“You think?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. Not a smile. Something else.
He leaned back, adjusting his cufflinks. “You spilled coffee on me today.”
I swallowed. “I didn’t mean to.”
“I know.”
I blinked. That was it? No threats? No anger?
“So… why am I here?” I asked carefully.
Luca tilted his head slightly, like he was debating something. Then, he said, “Because I have a proposition for you.”
I frowned. “A what?”
His eyes darkened.
“You heard me right.”
I glanced round the car like I expected one of the guards to save me from him.
“I will not be used for your illegal business.” I spoke firmly, my eyes fixed on him.
A sharp laugh burst out of him, dry and humorless.
“I won't risk using you for any of that. You hold more importance to me than you know.”
My eyebrows shoot up, confused.
“So, what do you need from me then?”
Luca leaned forward slightly, his presence suffocating. “I know about your father’s debts, Raven.”
My breath caught in my throat.
I have never told anyone about that.
My hands clenched into fists. “How do you…”
“I make it my business to know everything.” His voice was calm and controlled. “The money your father owes? It’s nothing to me. One signature, and it’s gone.”
My stomach twisted.
This wasn’t real. It can't be real.
“I will draw up a contract,” Luca continued. “You agree to my terms, and your father’s debts disappears. You will be well compensated and I will make sure to provide everything you need.”
I shook my head rapidly. “I do not want anything from you. I can sort my father's debt on my own ”
Luca didn’t react.
He simply reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thin file.
He set it on my lap.
I hesitated before flipping it open.
Then my stomach dropped.
Inside were pictures of my father, te loan sharks he owed and thee bruises they inflicted on his face.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
“If you don’t agree with my proposal your father won’t last another month.”
Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
“These pictures are from two months ago. Do you think he can survive anymore of it?”
I swallowed heavily, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest.
Luca watched me, waiting.
He didn’t need to say anything else.
He knew I had no choice. I felt trapped.
“Do I have your word that you will pay off his debts if I agree to your demands?”
Luca nodded. His lips curled at the edges.
Then he leaned in, his voice low.
“You have my word. ”
I exhaled before asking
“What do you need from me?”
His eyes held mine, his posture relaxed as he spoke the next words that would change my life forever.
“I need a child, and you are going to give me one.”
- Writer
