Luca

26 - What now?

Luca

It’s been a long day. I’ve been out checking on my business. I own a massive pharmaceutical company. I bought it when I was nineteen. The company was struggling, and I got it at a reasonable price. I built it up into something fantastic: all my own hard work, no help from my father. I wanted to prove that my business acumen was worth taking the risk. It paid off, and I have made billions in the past few years.

Not bad for a man in his early twenties.

Dray owns a couple of businesses that have made him a billionaire in his own right. He’s also big in underground cage fighting. The profit from that alone is ridiculous!

Dad likes to take the credit for our ability to make money. He says that Dray and I inherited his shrewd business mind. Dray and I just smile. We did it all on our own, without Dad’s help, his money, or his influence. Though I can’t deny that people knowing we’re the sons of Don Draven Vidal has helped us a lot over the years.

My meeting today was to sign contracts with a company in England. We’re to supply them with a drug for kidney treatment that’s hard to come by there. Even with the discount I offered, the profit is substantial.

I came home in a good mood, hoping to spend some time with Sofia. I wanted to take her out to dinner to celebrate. I want to involve Sofia in my business. She’s going to be my wife. Not that she’ll know anything about the illegal stuff my brother and I get into. But talking to her about the legitimate stuff is what husbands and wives do.

However, I didn’t expect to walk into a warzone! I didn't expect to be ambushed the moment I walked through the door.

“Wait,” I shake my head, trying to shake away the confusion.

How do my family expect me to hear them when they're all talking at once?

“What do you mean, ‘Amber got hurt’? One at a time!” I snap, causing them all to close their mouths.

“Luca?” Amber rushes over to me with her bandaged hands held out for me to see. “I burned my hands.”

I take her wrists gently. “What happened, Amber?”

“That stupid...”

“I’m talking to Amber, Dray.” My brother rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut. “Sweetheart,” Amber giggles when I take her face in my hands. I love both of my sisters equally, but Amber is incredibly special to me. “How did you hurt yourself?”

“I was baking cookies with Olga and Sofia. I wanted to help, so I took the cookies out of the oven, but the tray was very hot. I had to go to the doctor, and he did this to me.” She pouts.

I narrow my eyes. “Where were Olga and Sofia?”

Lydia coughs slightly, drawing my attention. Amber rests her head on my chest, sighing contentedly while wrapping her arms around my back. I hold her against me while Lydia tells me, “Olga went to the pantry to get something. She asked Sofia to keep an eye on Amber,” I breathe deeply because I don’t like where this is going. “Sofia said that she turned away for a moment to grab something. In the meantime, this happened.” She points to Amber’s hands.

“What did the doctor say?” I ask my father.

We have a family doctor who lives on the estate; he does so because Dad likes to keep him nearby. As soon as Amber was old enough to get herself into scrapes, Dad wanted to make sure there was always someone around to make sure she wasn’t injured too badly. He also had a small hospital built behind the house. All for his princess.

Of course, there have been times when Amber ended up in the hospital. I’m only grateful that she hasn’t ended up there this time.

“Few blisters, no permanent damage.” Dad shrugs as he wraps his arm around my mother. She’s upset, but she always is when Amber gets hurt.

“You need to deal with that girl,” Dray snaps. “Amber got hurt because she was careless. That can’t go unpunished!”

“What have I told you?” Dad yells at Dray.

“Luca?” Amber pulls away from me. “Dray hurt Sofia.”

My eyes widen, and each person averts their eyes, all but Dray.

Why doesn’t he ever learn?

What do I have to do to make my brother understand that I won’t put up with him hurting my soon-to-be wife?

“She’s my friend,” Amber sniffs. “Sofia didn’t mean to be bad. Why did Dray hurt Sofia’s neck?” she touches her neck. “And her head?” She then touches her head.

My eyes shoot to Dray, stormy with rage. “What the hell is she talking about?”

Dray shrugs.

“What did I tell you?” I hiss.

“Like I give a s**t!” He hisses back.

“I swear to God, Dray!”

“Don’t!” He yells in my direction. “That stupid bitc.h allowed Amber to grab a scolding tray! Look at the state of Amber, Luca. What did you think I’d do?”

Anger burns within me. I get it, Amber got hurt, and I’m not happy about it either. But Dray had no right to lay a hand on Sofia!

“You need to send that girl home. Forget this deal with Romano, Dad. Sofia cannot be trusted!”

“She didn’t do anything!” Amber yells while crying and running to our father. “Daddy, don’t send Sofia away, she’s my friend. Sofia loves me. She didn’t hurt me, I did it myself!”

My gut burns with anger. I hate seeing Amber so upset. I also know that Amber would never lie, so if she says that Sofia did nothing wrong, then I believe her.

I keep my eyes locked with Dray’s as Dad tries to calm Amber. Silently, without words, knowing he’ll understand, I tell him, If you’ve hurt her, I’ll kill you.

“Where is she?” I ask no one in particular.

“In her room.” My mother answers. “Please, go easy on Sofia, Luca. This was an accident.”

I leave the room without another word, bumping into Lorna in the hallway. She’s dropping bags next to the front door. “Going somewhere?” I ask.

Lorna looks at me, anger burning in her eyes. “I’m taking Sofia home.” My nostrils flare. Over my dead body! “Your father gave me his word that Sofia would be safe here. But she’s not safe, not even a tiny bit. Sofia didn’t deserve to be attacked by your brother today. She turned away for a moment, Luca! She had no idea that Amber would do what she did.” Lorna swallows and sighs. “As if Sofia wasn’t already covered in bruises, now her neck and head are bruised, not to mention her eyes are slightly bloodshot. Do you even know what your brother did?”

I shake my head. “Not in detail, no.”

“He choked Sofia until she almost passed out. If that wasn’t enough, he then dragged her into the study and threw her so hard, she fell and smashed her head against your father’s desk!” Lorna scrubs her hands over her face in frustration. “That beautiful girl only wanted to prove to you that she loved Amber and wanted to make her happy – the way she hopes to make you happy.

“Sofia has suffered violence her entire life, and even though she was terrified about this marriage and what it means for her, she thought you might be different. Sofia actually fooled herself into thinking you’d never physically hurt her, or let anyone else do so, but I know that’s a lie. I’m taking her home. Don’t worry, I’ll think of something to tell Roberto.”

I suck in a deep breath through my nose. “You’re not taking her anywhere!” I snap. “I’ll deal with my brother, believe me. I’m not happy that he laid hands on Sofia, nor is my father. Dray won’t be getting away with what he did. I’m going to speak with Sofia now. If she should want to leave, then I won’t stop her, but be mindful of what Romano will do if his plans fall through.”

I don’t wait for a response. I walk away, leaving Lorna with her thoughts.