POV: KATHERINA
Luca asked his men to return, just like he promised, but his decision left Cruz crazier than he ever was. Cruz was adamant about blaming everything on me, and it’s pissing me off.
Luca took me to his fighting club since the casino is shut down by the cops and has been in his office, working with the others while I watched ruthless boxing matches with Becky.
It’s awkward between Becky and me since I’d thought she was nothing but a gardener, but now she’s turned out to be one of them who had to watch over me.
I winced, watching the boxers pummelling each other repeatedly and never stopping even though they were bleeding.
Everybody was cheering for Boogey, the creepy one who was laughing, showing off his bleeding gums as he looked down at Undertaker, who was struggling to push Boogeyman off him.
Even though Boogeyman looks scary as fuck with weird scars and tattoos and piercing all over his six-foot-tall body with blocks of nothing but muscle, he won’t stand a chance in front of Cruz.
He would look like a mouse in front of him. Cruz is so evil.
I can never forget the times he was a joker while we were escaping the cops.
“Most of them bet on him. He’s the best here,” said Becky, indicating the Boogeyman.
“I find him super bad. I’ll go for The Undertaker,” I said.
“Boogey wins all the time, even though The Undertaker is the second best here.”
Undertaker punched Boogey in the gut, which made him crouch down. Undertaker started to punch his face furiously, and Boogey had no choice but to take it.
“Time to mourn for his first loss,” I said, watching the Boogeyman losing his consciousness due to the fierce punching.
“Just watch,” was all Becky said, full of amusement.
Undertaker lifted his hand higher and swung with full speed. Within no time, his clenched fist was caught in Boogey’s tight grip.
The crowd started yelling, “Boogey Boogey.”
He cupped Undertaker between his legs, screaming, and threw him with all his strength.
Ew! I looked away.
Undertaker hit the wire mesh that separates the fighters from the crowd and fell on the floor like a sack of potatoes.
The crowd started to howl in victory.
“Told ya.” Becky smirked and turned away from the scene.
I sighed and followed her behind to the bar section. We ordered a beer.
“He cheated,” I said, taking my seat.
“He didn’t.” Becky scrunched her eyebrows.
“He’s not supposed to grab his crotch and squeeze and then throw him. What is he, a sponge ball?”
“Well, to Boogey, he is,” Becky chuckled, taking her beer. “He’s gay.”
“No wonder he wins all the time,” I replied.
We drank our beer and looked around to see the crowd clearing, fighting over for the day. Just like an asshole who would try to hit on girls, Boogey was trying to hit on some guys.
When his eyes fell on me, he gave me a wide smile, making me immediately look away from him.
The fighting club is my least favorite place Luca’s taken me. It’s dark, bloody, and dirty with reckless men who couldn’t care less about anything but themselves and the drinks.
“I’m sorry for faking my identity to you,” Becky said all of a sudden, and I smiled at her in understanding “I am a botanist―”
“And a gun handler,” I said.
“Well, I do work for Luca. I was indeed brought up by my aunt, and I am a botanist, but mostly a gun handler, yeah,” she chuckled nervously.
“It’s all right, Becky.” I waved her off like it was no big deal.
“Rebecca. My name is Rebecca, and I prefer my close friends to call me that,” she said.
I nodded, smiling widely at her.
“And lately, things have been hard on you, we all know, but everybody here is selfish, Katherina.
“We are in a war with the cops, and willingly or unwillingly, the end is going to affect you more, so I’d advise you to be selfish.” She emphasized the word selfish.
“I know, and I’m afraid I can’t do anything about it,” I said truthfully, and she nodded.
“The cops and Karen are working together, Katherina, and the problem is you know them as well as they know you and your family.
“When the time comes, you have to choose one of them, whether you like it or not, because trust me, if our boss decides on this matter, no one can change that. Not even Luca.”
“I can’t choose, Becky,” I replied. “I can’t have anybody dying. I can’t stomach it.”
“It’s difficult but not impossible. Karen’s main target is our boss, and hell will break loose if he comes back.”
The fear in Becky’s eyes gave me whiplash and the curiosity to know about Accardi De Gasperi.
“Why’s everyone afraid of him coming back when you all should celebrate it?” I asked softly.
“He’s been in hiding for almost two and a half years since what happened in Bangkok. You saw the uproar when everybody found out Luca was not dead.
“Imagine what might happen if he comes out of hiding and comes back here.” Becky shuddered. “He would want your whole town burnt down.”
I didn’t let the conversation continue even though I wanted to.
This is bad. So fucking bad and beyond what I could've imagined. I don’t have a major role in this, but as Becky said, at the end of this war, I’ll be the one mourning.
It’s pretty clear that it’s either the sheriff and Karen or Luca and Accardi.
When Becky had to leave, she left me with Luca and Edward, who were working in the office.
I looked around the photos on the bulletin board that had pictures of Karen, Chris, Megan, the mayor, and the sheriff, and they were all connected to each other.
Chris told me he never knew Megan was here to help me out, and even Luca refused to tell me, so I still don’t know what connection her father had with Luca.
The pictures on the board tell me they were all together, but maybe it’s my mind playing tricks.
I moved away from the board and went toward a case with glass doors that had different types of guns and bullets arranged beautifully inside. The light was white and blue, making the weapons shine.
“The password is 989 if you want to open it,” I heard Luca say.
I punched the keys at the side and pulled the door once the light turned green above.
My fingers glided on the surface of the weapons, but I didn’t lift them up. What I found more fascinating were the bullets of different shapes and sizes arranged on one of the shelves.
I took one of them. It laid heavy on my palm even though it looked light. I rubbed the surface, feeling the cold metal on my fingers when two warm arms wrapped around me.
“That’s my favorite one,” Luca said, kissing the nape of my neck. “It’s a hollow point bullet.”
“Why’s it your favorite?”
“It’s the most dangerous one,” he replied, touching the tip of the bullet. “When it enters a person’s body, unlike the other bullets, this one shatters inside them, causing a lot of damage.”
“Which bullet hit you here,” I asked, pointing at the old scar close to his chest where the sheriff shot him.
“This one, a common handgun bullet,” Luca pointed it out.
I put the bullet back.
We left the fighting club in the evening, and instead of heading home, Luca took me to a forest. We walked deeper, moving into the dense forest until we stopped in front of a beautiful sight.
A vast stretch of land was covered with roses, all of them planted in rows according to their colors. With the sun shining bright on them, it looked so beautiful, and I was awe-struck.
“I wanted to bring you here on your birthday. I couldn’t, and I’m sorry for that.” He spoke in my ear softly.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“I love the smile on your face. Come,” he said.
We walked in between the fields, and I spread my hands, feeling the soft touch of the petals. It was beautiful, and at this moment, I just wanted to forget everything and spend time with him.
We laid down the grass and relaxed under the sky, for once not talking about the dreadful reality we lived in.
I wanted to confess my love to him since I wouldn’t get a better moment than this, but I also didn’t want to look needy.
I didn’t know how Luca would react, but as Anna said, it didn’t matter… well, maybe.
“I want to spend every day of my life with you, tesoro,” Luca said softly beside me.
I turned to him and saw him lost in his thoughts.
“Amidst the chaos, you’re my peace.”
My heart melted, and three words almost came to my lips. I took his hand in mine and took a deep breath.
This is it. I’m going to confess my love to him.
“Luca… I―”
His phone rang, interrupting us. I released his hand and turned away, letting him take his call.
“What?” Luca got up quickly.
“No! Don’t let him, Rick! Do something. Talk to him!”
His hand was fisted at the side as he struggled with his emotions.
“I don’t know, Rick. He can’t… Dammit!” he cursed before ending the call.
He turned to me, the moment of happiness and peace replaced with the usual reality of our lives.
“My boss is coming.”
I felt chills run down my spine as the words got stuck in my throat.