Luca's Dilemma

by Deneice Tarbox

  The beeping of his cell phone interrupted Luca’s dessert before dinner. Deciding to ignore it, he continued to move his mouth over the peaks of Sheila’s breasts, tremendously enjoying the way she began gyrating her nearly naked mound along his masked hardness. Beeping, he could ignore. Banging emanating from outside the suite door was a different matter altogether. Sheila’s disappointed groan spoke loud and clear for the both of them.

  “Awww. Do you really have to get that?”

  “Yeah, babe. I’m sorry.” A moan escaped him as he placed a long, lingering kiss to her lips. “Don’t forget,” he started, grabbing her buttocks to force her heat against his groin, “I plan to dine and dance right here when I get back. Keep your sweet spot warm for me.” He gave her one good thrust and then released her.

  A huge smile lit Sheila’s face as she removed herself from his lap, the loss of her intense heat instantly distressing him. She began dressing while he headed inside to get the door where the banging had increased in intensity. Luca gave one last look back toward the terrace, making sure Sheila was out of view before opening the door. He’d never been one to share his treasures.

  “What!” he shouted, opening the door to a flustered Drago.

  “Damn, man, we just got here. Let the girl up for air already why don’t you?” Drago threw out in a not–so–polite tone as he stormed into the room and spun to face Luca.

  Luca resisted the urge to laugh at his cousin who, for once, was wearing an Armani suit with Italian loafers, similar to Tyler’s signature look. He knew giving up the Don Johnson look for a week was killing Dre, especially in this heat, and probably adding to his petulance. But Tyler and Tony had succeeded in convincing his cousin that his preferred attire was a bit too drug–lordish for this specific territory.

  “We need your expertise on something.”

  “My expertise? I’m here with my lady on vacation. What the hell could they want with me?”

  “Just tell Sheila you’ll be right back and get to stepping. We don’t have all day.”

  “Okay, okay.” Luca hurried to the balcony to find Sheila lounging in the chaise they had just gotten frisky on. “I’ll be right back, babe,” he said, leaning over to steal a kiss and cop a feel. “Remember to have these ready for me when I get back.” He’d never get enough of her sweet mouth or those humongous boobs.

  “I’ll do my part. You just hurry your fine ass back here.”

  The sultriness of her voice and the sexy grin she gave made him forget why he was kissing her bye in the first place. He bent over and kissed her again, running the palm of his hand ever so slightly along the tips of her nipples. Even when subtle, that dirty mouth of hers was always his undoing.

  “Come on, man!” Drago yelled from inside, prompting a reluctant Luca to break contact.

  “I won’t be long, okay?” he promised as he backpedaled into the suite, trying to take in as much of her beauty as he could before leaving. The glimpse of her long, walnut–colored legs stretched out on the lounging chair beckoned him. “Ouch! Son–of–a…” The pain from Drago’s large fingers digging into his shoulder snapped him out of it.

  “Damn, Lulu. Give it a rest.”

  “What the fuck, Dre?” Luca gritted out between clenched teeth as they made their way down the hall toward the elevators. “What’s got your damn uptight pants on fire? Not to sound cliché, but this better be good.”

  “Alberto wants you to take a look at his flu vaccine, which is due to arrive from Florida any minute now. He was going to have it delivered to your room to minimize encroachment on your time, but I suggested you come down instead. I didn’t think it would be wise to have it go down like that, am I right?” Drago gave him a pointed look.

  The elevator arrived. Stepping in, Luca collapsed against the back wall and blew out a long breath as the doors drew together, closing them both in. The “flu vaccine” was code for the poison he’d brought to Sheila’s house that fateful night. Drago had done the right thing. The last thing he needed was a couple of seedy interlopers showing up at his door with a suspicious briefcase filled with the same vials Sheila’d found by his pants. Just as he’d been about to tell her something stupid like it was eye drops or some nonsense, she’d graciously returned it to his pocket without question. That’s when he knew she trusted him, trusted him when he should’ve been the last person she trusted.

  “You’re welcome, asshole,” Drago said with a snicker. “I knew from the way you were all up on her during the plane ride there was no way you’d be communicating with her vocally when I showed up.”

  Luca’s face heated. “Thanks, Dre. Now shut the fuck up!”

  Chapter 21

  The hot, tropical sun felt good on Sheila’s winter–weary skin. So good, in fact, she dozed off. Just as Luca’s ripped torso began to emerge from the sea, a soft knock sounded at the door, jolting her back into consciousness. With a stretch, she stood and made her way to the door, peeking out the peephole before opening it. Despite the place being well guarded from potential drug related violence, there was no need to chance getting jumped her first round in Cancun.

  “Yes?” she called out politely after noting how out of place the person on the other side of the door looked.

  “Pardon the intrusion, miss, but I have a special delivery for Mr. Moriatti.”

  Her heart beat faster at the sound of the stranger’s voice. Now Sheila knew without a doubt the man wasn’t part of the hotel staff, nor was he anyone she’d met through Luca. The strong British accent and ugly bow tie would’ve emblazed themselves in her memory for sure.

  “He’s in the shower at the moment,” Sheila fibbed. “Please leave whatever it is outside the door. Thank you kindly.”

  “As you wish, ma’am. And please… have a pleasant afternoon.”

  Sheila waited for the sound of his footsteps to fade before cautiously opening the door. She shifted her gaze in both directions of the long corridor before settling it on the items at her feet.

  ***

  Luca was in turmoil. Steven had been spotted speeding away from the compound in a boat. He’d taken out two armed guards before being detected. Rie and Dre joined the others in a sweep of the compound to assess the damages and hopefully find answers as to what the devil he’d been doing there. After hearing the news, Luca, however, couldn’t get back to Sheila fast enough, entering the suite with such force the door banged off the adjacent wall and slammed shut from the kinetic energy.

  “Sheila, where are you!” he yelled, borderline panic–stricken.

  He immediately made his way toward the closed bedroom door. Opening it, he found her sitting on the edge of the king–sized bed, a vial of clear fluid in one hand and an old Portland Press Herald in the other. Her cat like eyes were even with the windowpane, but her gaze appeared to stretch far beyond the clear blue of the ocean. Her beautiful heart shaped face was devoid of emotion with the exception of the tears that had dried on her cheeks. That alone made him want to rip his beating heart from the confines of his chest and devour it.

  “Baby, it’s not what you think.”

  “Oh, really? So you happen to know what I’m thinking,” Sheila started, her voice strangely calm as her head mechanically pivoted to meet his gaze, “which only irrefutably validates that I’m correct in my overall assumption.”

  Why is she suddenly talking like her mother? “Uh, um, no, babe. You couldn’t possibly know all the details… That’s not what I wanted to say. I’ve loved you since the day I set eyes on you. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to tell you about April or anything else. I wanted… no, needed to protect you.” His voice cracked from the pain he felt, the pain he had caused her.

  One nicely shaped eyebrow lifted in confusion. “What on earth are you talking about, Luca? Wait a minute, you knew about April’s death?”

  Shit! Luca felt his stomach knot and a mammoth lump forming in his throat. “Is that not what you’re upset about?”

  Sheila simply stared at him.
<
br />   “Yes, Sheila, I knew. But I didn’t think it wise to tell you after all you’ve been through.”

  “Luca, accidents happen all the time. I just wish you had given me the opportunity to mourn her instead of whisking me away and allowing me to go on believing she was safely going about her life, especially since it was my car she had been driving. That poor girl and her husband hadn’t been married a full year.” Tears stained her eyes before she moved them back to the window. Her voice filled with emotion. “You can’t keep treating me like I’m a child. I know you love me, but I do wish you had more confidence in my general abilities as an adult. I left the comforts of home to prove that I was a big girl now and that I can take care of myself. Quit being so overprotective.

  “But the reason I’m upset with you is this.” She thrust the vial toward him, not moving her eyes from the window. “I didn’t think much of it when I found the empty one on the floor next to your pants, but now…” she trailed off. After taking a deep breath she continued. “I know life hasn’t been easy for you, and sometimes we think hiding behind something like this is the answer. It might seem like it for a while, but it’s never the true fix to your problems.”

  Now it was Luca’s turn to be confused.

  “Just tell me if you’re doing drugs,” she pleaded, meeting his gaze dead on. “I want to help you through this, baby, but admitting you have a problem is always the first step.”

  Relief washed over him. Sheila thought he was on drugs. The trusting woman before him had just unwittingly granted him a reprieve. Though his heart swelled with love, his conscience was another story. “You’d do that for me? Stand by me while I went through detox?”

  “Of course. I love you.” Placing the two items on one of the mirrored end tables flanking the bed, Sheila rose and moved to stand before him. “I know it’s going to be difficult. But remember, I’m with you for better or worse.” She smiled sweetly. “Even though we’re not married yet.”

  Luca embraced her with all his might, his head swimming from the depth of the love she’d shown. For the first time in his adult life, he found himself holding back tears, not tears of happiness, but tears of fear from the thought of losing her. The time had come. He had to tell her the truth, all of it. The words lodged in his throat, spinning him into a coughing fit.

  “Are you all right?” Sheila asked, pulling back to gaze at him while patting his back. Through his tears he could make out the concern etched on her blurry face.

  “No… I’m not,” he managed to get out, the words making him feel more dismal than he’d anticipated. “Sit down.” With a gentle touch, he escorted her back to the bed, guiding her to a seated position on the edge. He then sat facing her profile with one leg bent at the knee. He focused on her lap, unable to meet her eyes. “I have some things to tell you. But you have to promise me you won’t freak out.”

  “Luca, you’re scaring me.” Her voice trembled slightly as she turned to look at him.

  Luca took her left hand in his and began playing with the ring he’d placed there. He prayed she’d still want to wear it after he finished talking. “This has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “It’s okay, baby. Take your time and start from the beginning.” She gently squeezed his fingers.

  The small gesture was all the encouragement he needed. “I’m not a drug addict, Sheila. That would probably be preferable.” He chanced a look at her. Seeing he had her full attention, he dropped his head and continued. “A few months ago, I received an assignment from Pops. Once I realized the person involved, I called him back and told him I couldn’t do it. After hearing me out, he agreed. Pops gave me a new set of orders to follow, but I had to make it look like I was doing things the way the client intended.”

  “Luca, I’m sorry. But you’re not making any sense.”

  Luca swallowed. His head bobbed back, and he stared at the ceiling. Slowly, he released a long breath as he tried to figure out the best way to convey this to her. He met her gaze again. “Sheila, I’m not a graphic designer. I’m an assassin.”

  Sheila’s eyes grew large, but she made no move to get away from him or release his hand.

  “I know it sounds crazy. But that’s all I’ve known until recently… Until you.”

  “An assassin? Are you kidding me? How long? How many…” Sheila spewed out in a rushed tone. She appeared to be on the verge of an all–out panic attack. Then her features relaxed as comprehension appeared to dawn on her. “Oh, I understand. Someone’s after you because you decided you didn’t want to kill anymore and they’re not happy about it. I’m so sorry, Luca. Now I see why you’ve been so protective.”

  She looked down and away from him. “I have to admit, it’s going to take some time for me to get over the fact that you used to kill people. But now that you’ve changed your ways, I can only say that I’m proud of you.” Her gaze met his again lovingly as she removed her hand from his grasp and started stroking his cheek. Suddenly, her features hardened. “If they harm one hair on your precious head, I’ll kill them. I swear to God, I will.”

  Her grit was both endearing and amusing, but he resisted the urge to laugh or smile acknowledging that once again she had gotten the facts wrong in her blind effort to see the good in him. Slowly, he grasped her hand and removed it from his face. He stood before strolling over to the window and gazing out at the beautiful scenery, putting much–needed distance between them. Every bit of her support and belief in him made his task ten times harder.

  “No, it’s not like that. No one’s after me. I’m retired, but I still do my job when required. My assignments aren’t always to kill. On rare occasions I’m called to protect.” He turned to face her, crossing his arms across his chest as she watched him intently. “You were, and are, my assignment. I’m your protector.”

  Sheila gasped. Her hand flew to her chest, and she began to mindlessly pick at the hangy–thangys on her shirt. With eyebrows knitted together, her gaze fell to the comforter as she appeared to struggle with what she’d just heard. Finding out someone wanted her dead had to be a shock to her.

  Luca desperately wanted to comfort her but forced himself to finish the dialog he’d started. “April’s death was no accident. For now, I must continue to let the rest of the world think it was, including Richard and Tina. They wanted to tell you about the car crash, but I convinced them you’d be too devastated if told so soon after your illness and promised them I’d tell you as soon as we got to Italy.”

  “Italy?” she asked. Her hand stilled, and a dumbfounded look took over her features.

  “Yeah. I couldn’t risk anyone knowing where I was taking you. Your cell phone didn’t break. I destroyed it and anything else that could lead to your whereabouts. I’ve touched base with your family and friends to make sure they know you’re okay, but I discouraged them from contacting you.”

  Sheila’s breathing deepened, and the light color of her eyes intensified to a darker brown. The pulse in her neck became visible to his keen observation. To the untrained eye she might have appeared calm. However, Luca was familiar with these subtle changes. Many a target had demonstrated such changes just before meeting death by his hand. The one person he loved and cherished most in the world was afraid of him.

  Uncrossing his arms, he stepped toward her, only to have her recoil and scamper back against the headboard on the side of the bed farthest away from him. She drew herself into a tight ball, knees to chest with her arms wrapped around them. Her usually tranquil eyes grew wide and wild as her body began to quiver.

  Her reaction cut into him like a dagger. “Sheila, no… please,” he implored, barely above a whisper. Holding one hand out, he slowly and methodically made his way toward her. “I’d never hurt you, baby. I meant it when I said I’d die for you. I’d rather die without you. Please believe me.”

  Luca kneeled on the bed in front of her. Slowly, he got on all fours and began crawling to her. When he was close enough to touch her, he didn’t. Instead, he
sat with his back against the headboard, his elbows resting on his bended knees and his fingers entwined. He lowered his head, allowing his gaze to rest on the busy, tropical pattern of the comforter. This was a modified position of submission, one he’d never taken with anyone, not even his sensei, for fear of losing his head. As he’d hoped, the position seemed to work in relaxing Sheila.

  “Why would you want to kill me?”

  “I don’t,” Luca answered, still baring his neck.

  “So, if that vial isn’t full of drugs, what’s in it?”

  The vial? Ah shit! How was he going to explain that one? “It’s poison.”

  “Poison? But it looks just like the one that fell out of your poc…” The shift in tone from fearful to confrontational was instant. “Luca, why the hell would you have poison in your pocket at my house?”

  No visual stimulation necessary, he could feel the heat of her glare, and it was making his face grow hotter by the second. “Because I put it in that wine I brought over.” He turned his head to meet her shocked gaze. “It was a weaker strain of it. Just enough to make you feel like you were dying, maybe even land you in the hospital. But you threw the glasses, so I—”

  His words were cut off by the sight of bright stars and a sudden sharp pain in his left eye. Instinctively, his arms moved to block her next blow, and the next. Sheila was swinging wildly. It took some effort, but he managed to grab her by the forearms and pin her face down under his weight.

  “Ever… con…sider boxing?” Luca asked, his dialog choppy as he struggled to restrain the strong woman.

  “Ever consider kissing my black ass! How dare you sit there and admit you tried to poison me and expect me to take it lightly.”

  “Stop fighting me so I can explain.”