HIDDEN LEGACIES

CHAPTER 3: Shadows of deception

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the polished floors of the Deluca estate, but inside James’s room, the light barely reached him. He sat at the edge of his bed, staring at his reflection in the mirror, dark circles shadowing his eyes, memories of yesterday's attack still flooded his mind, but then a knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. Before he could respond, Sofia strolled in, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

“You look like hell,” she remarked, leaning against his dresser.

James exhaled slowly, rubbing his face. “Good morning to you, too, Sofia.”

She smirked. “Rough night?”

He didn’t answer, but Sofia studied him closely. “You’re thinking about yesterday.”

James scoffed. “What gave it away?”

“Maybe the brooding or the fact that you haven’t even started getting ready for school.” She tilted her head. “Thinking of skipping?”

James stood, stretching his stiff muscles. “Tempting. But no.”

Sofia’s smirk faltered slightly. “James, you almost got shot. That’s not exactly a ‘move on and forget about it’ situation.”

James walked past her toward the closet, pulling out a fresh shirt. “I know that, Sofia.” His voice was steady.

She sighed. “Are you at least going to tell me what Dad said last night?”

James hesitated as he unbuttoned his shirt, then finally muttered, “He has his suspicions, but he’s waiting for the police report. If they don’t get anything out of her, he’ll handle it himself.”

Sofia groaned. “Of course he will.”

James grabbed his towel and slung it over his shoulder. Sofia frowned. “You’re seriously going back to school?"

James shot her a look. “I’m not going to cower in this house just because someone attempted.”

She watched him for a long moment, then sighed. “Fine." But if another psycho with a gun shows up, I get to say "I told you so."

James chuckled as they headed downstairs. “Deal.”

Later at school, James DeLuca was the center of attention, but today felt different. As he walked through the iron gates of Montcrest Academy, he could feel the weight of curious stares and hushed whispers. A part of him had expected it. Another part of him was already exhausted.

"James, my guy!" A familiar voice cut through the noise.

Adrian Costa strode up beside him, effortlessly throwing an arm over his shoulders like they hadn’t seen each other in years.

Right behind him were Lorenzo Bianchi and Theo Vasquez, their usual smirks in place.

“So,” Lorenzo drawled, falling into step with them. “You get shot at, and suddenly you’re the most popular guy in school? That’s unfair.”

James scoffed, shoving Adrian’s arm off. “If you want to take my place, be my guest.”

Theo grinned. “Nah, man. We’ll pass. But seriously, what the hell happened?”

James exhaled. “Some crazy girl ambushed me, had a gun in my face. End of story.”

Adrian’s smile faltered slightly. "And you have no idea who sent her?"

James didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. They all knew how things worked in his world.

Lorenzo sighed. “Damn. Well, if they wanted you dead, they failed.”

Theo nudged James with his elbow. "And Vita? I heard she saved your ass."

James rolled his eyes. “She didn’t ‘save’ me. She just got involved before I could handle it myself.”

Lorenzo smirked. "So basically… she saved you."

James shoved him lightly. “Shut up.”

Before they could tease him further, a smooth voice interrupted. "James, darling."

Gabi Morello. Daughter of a wealthy business tycoon.

She approached with confidence, as if she owned the place, her designer heels clicking against the pavement, and her smile was deliberate as she effortlessly linked her arm through his.

“You had me so worried,” she purred.

James tensed. Gabi knew how to play the part, how to make it seem like she had some claim over him, even when she didn’t.

His friends exchanged knowing looks before making a hasty retreat.

“You’re all anyone can talk about,” Gabi continued, her voice sugar-coated. "It’s like you’re royalty."

James untangled himself from her grip. "Didn’t realize almost getting shot made me a celebrity."

Gabi laughed, tilting her head. “Please." Drama only makes you more desirable.”

Across the courtyard, Vita stood near the steps. She wasn’t watching them directly. Her expression was unreadable, but James knew she’d seen the interaction.

Adrian coughed, muttering, "We’ll catch you later, man."

Lorenzo and Theo exchanged knowing looks before backing off as well, leaving James alone with Gabi.

She noticed. "Your little fan club runs off the moment I show up? Cute."

James huffed. "Or maybe they just have better things to do than entertain you."

Gabi leaned in, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "But you don’t?"

The bell rang, a perfect excuse to leave Gabi behind.

Half the day had already passed, and the cafeteria buzzed with energy, the usual mix of laughter, hushed gossip, and clinking silverware filling the air.

James sat with Adrian, Lorenzo, and Theo, absentmindedly pushing his food around on his plate.

"So," Theo leaned forward, lowering his voice. "So your dad still hasn’t told you anything?"

James shook his head. "He’s keeping me in the dark. Like always."

Lorenzo scoffed. "Typical. And what about the girl? Vita?"

James barely had time to answer before Gabi Morello’s voice sliced through the cafeteria noise.

"Vita," she called sweetly, her voice carrying over the chatter. "Tell me… do you ever get tired of pretending you belong here?"

The room was still. Vita, standing a few feet away, paused mid-step, her expression unreadable.

Lorenzo muttered, "Oh, this is going to be good."

Adrian nudged James. "You're going to step in?"

James didn’t answer.

Vita turned, her voice cool. "Do you ever get tired of pretending people actually like you?"

Theo whistled low. "Damn."

Gabi’s lips twitched, but her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Cute. But see, I don’t have to pretend. "Unlike some people desperately trying to get my attention," Vita said smoothly. "I must be doing something right." Her gaze flickered toward James in a split second.

Adrian choked on his drink. Theo grinned.

Gabi’s expression didn’t falter, but James saw the way her fingers curled slightly against the table. Then, she struck the final blow.

"Oh, sweetie, I’m not worried. "James will get bored with strays eventually. Vita’s jaw tightened slightly.

James thought about speaking up, but before he could, Vita let out a slow breath, then shrugged. "Guess we’ll see, won’t we?"

She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Gabi fuming in her seat.

Lorenzo muttered, "That was brutal."

Adrian smirked. "Your girl just put Gabi in her place, man". James ignored them.

After school, James walked alone. The streets were quieter than usual, but that nagging feeling remained. Someone was watching.

He stopped, turning sharply, but the street was empty. Then his phone buzzed. Unknown Number. He hesitated, then answered.

The voice sounded distorted and emotionless.

"You were supposed to die, James. Stay out of this, or you’ll wish you had."

James’s fist clenched. He scanned the area, his pulse pounding, but no one was there. Instead of fear, rage settled deep in his gut.

He needed answers, so he turned sharply and stormed home, knowing exactly who he needed to confront.

Back at the Deluca mansion, Luca sat in his dimly lit study, the low hum of classical music playing softly in the background.

Across from him was Rafael, Luca’s right hand, his eyes scanning the file he had just handed over.

“The girl’s records are clean, too clean,” Rafael said. No family, no history before five years ago. Whoever sent her covered their tracks well.”

Luca nodded, snapping the file shut. “Have our people keep digging. Someone wants my son dead, and I want to know who.”

Rafael hesitated. “Sir… do you think he knows something?”

Luca’s jaw tightened slightly. “James?” He shook his head. "No." But he will figure it out soon enough."

Rafael sighed. “And when does he?”

Luca leaned back in his chair. His expression darkened. "Then he’ll have a choice to make.”

Just then, the door burst open. James stormed into Luca’s office, throwing his phone onto the desk.

"Who’s after me?"

Luca barely glanced up. "Hello to you, too."

James’ patience snapped. "Don’t play games with me, Dad. I got a call. Someone wants me dead."

Luca sighed, leaning back in his chair. "And?"

James clenched his fists. "You knew about this, didn’t you?"

Luca exhaled slowly. "I know many things. Be specific."

James gritted his teeth. "You’re hiding something."

Luca finally stood, walking toward the window. "James, if my enemies wanted you dead, you’d be dead already."

James froze. "What?"

Luca turned, his gaze sharp. "You think I don’t know every move you make? Any threat that comes your way? I kept you alive long before you even realized you were in danger."

James's heart pounded, but his voice remained steady. "And I’m supposed to just trust you?"

Luca’s lips curved into a dangerous smirk. "No. But you should be smart enough to know which battles are worth fighting."

A silence stretched between them.

James exhaled sharply. "You’re unbelievable."

Luca returned to his desk, dismissing him with a wave. "Good. Keep thinking that."

James clenched his jaw and turned sharply, storming out before he did something he’d regret.

Later that night, James’s mind wouldn’t let it go. Something in Luca’s expression earlier… the way he spoke, the certainty in his voice, it wasn’t just instinct. His father knew something, and James was going to find out what.

He moved carefully through the darkened halls, his footsteps silent against the marble floor. The rest of the house was still; everyone was asleep.

Luca’s private study was different from his main office, but James picked the lock in seconds.

The door creaked slightly as he slipped inside. His fingers brushed over the mahogany desk, opening drawers, rifling through files. Nothing.

Then, his fingers grazed the edge of an old photograph. He pulled it out, and his eyes widened. He saw his father smiling, and beside him was... Miss Emma Dawson

James’s chest tightened, and his grip on the photo hardened before he could process the image. A voice cut through the silence.

“You really shouldn’t be in here.”

James turned sharply, his pulse spiking. Rafael stood at the door, arms crossed.

James clenched his jaw. "You're going to report me?"

Rafael smirked. "No.

James crossed his arms. "Why?

Rafael took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Let me ask you something. "What do you think happens to people who ask too many questions about what doesn't concern them?"

James didn’t blink. "They get answers?"

Rafael chuckled. "No. They get dead."

James exhaled, but Rafael held up a hand.

"Look, kid. You already know your father keeps secrets, so do yourself a favor. "Don’t go looking until you know what you’re looking for."

James gritted his teeth. "So I should just sit back and let him keep me in the dark?"

Rafael sighed. "No. My advice? Pick your battles."

James glanced at the photo, then back at Rafael. "You ever stop to think about what I think is worth knowing?"

Rafael studied him for a long moment, then muttered, "Just don’t be reckless, kid."

He stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. "Go. Before your father finds you here."

James hesitated, then left. But his mind didn’t stop, and neither did the questions.