Chapter Twenty

It was a sunny afternoon, the third day of our vacation. Luca and I lay on the bed with my head placed on his chest eating an apple while his hands rested on my baby bump.

He had spent hours talking with the child, at some point he begun mumbling words saying it was men's talk, I wasn't supposed to listen to their discussion.

True to his words, his lawyers had arrived yesterday with documents stating that I held ownership of resort e suite Aimee.

Placing my signature where they were required, I claimed total ownership of the enterprise. The most important part of the whole ownership thing was that whatever profit came from the resort was mine to keep. Luca over did himself this time around.

"how about Luce??" Luca suggested another baby name

"no, I prefer Nello" I contradicted

"it means light giver"

"and Nello means a priceless unexpected gift" I retorted earning a chuckle from Luca

"Lucio is somewhat better than both, we'll settle with that" he said placing a kiss on my head.

"Nah, Caelian is just perfect. He's a gift from heaven after all" persuading Luca was always a hard thing to do

"Never, I hate that name" my husband stated "I think I've found the perfect name. Lucca, it means he who illuminates"

"I see what you're doing" I laughed. He was trying to kill two birds with one stone. Getting away with picking a name for our son and making he and the child share similar names.

"I don't know what you're talking about" his lips twitched in a knowing smirk

"I still think Nello is a better name"

"Well, we could change that thought in a second" he tilted my face to meet his, his lips met mine in a breathtaking kiss.

Over the months of being Luca's wife I have learnt to reciprocate his kisses even when I don't want to, which was purely out of obligation. However, recently I haven't kissed him back out of obligation but rather with an open mind.

Breaking the lip lock, he placed slow kisses from my cheek down my neck, leaving his mark as always. He referred to it as marking his territory. For me, that was a weak excuse, no one in their right minds would want to claim ownership over me knowing Luca was my husband. The only person who tried that was lying dead in a grave back home.

My Maximiliano

Luca's cell phone on the side table rang signally there was an incoming call, his lips still stayed glued on my skin

"Luca.. You h-have a call"

"hmmm I know" he mumbled on the nape of my neck before placing another openmouthed kiss

"Luca"

"Leave it, whoever it is can wait"

His lips claimed mine again in a kiss.

Adjusting to a more comfortable position, Luca hovered over me and pulled up my shirt. His lips pressed on the baby bump as he peppered kisses round it.

The cellphone went off again with an incoming call.

"I think you should pick up the call. Whoever it is called back, it must be important"

Grumbling, he got off the bed and picked up the phone.

"Cos'è Raffaelle, sono in una fottuta vacanza"

(what is it Raffaelle, I'm on a fucking vacation) he spoke into the phone

"What?? It can't be!!" his hands tugged at his hair

"Metti tutto sotto controllo. Ci saremo presto"

(get everything under control, we'll be there soon) he said before getting off the call

"Is everything alright??"

Turning to look at me, his face showed clearly that everything wasn't okay.

"we have to leave right now, not a second to waste. Our empire is at stake"

That was all he said before we rushed out the house. The chauffeur already in place waiting to take us to the airport.

____________________________

"stay here, I'll be home soon" Luca said hurrying me into the mansion. We had just gotten home.

The journey back home was a quick painful one, anxiety sliced through the air. Luca had been on different calls throughout, barking out orders to be followed.

"What's happening Luca, please tell me"

"It's nothing to worry about bambino. Just stay here and let me protect you and our child" he placed a quick kiss to my lips before leaving.

Walking into the house, it was void of the maids, even Catherine was no where to be found only the guards lingered around at strategic points.

"You're finally back!!!" Mona screamed rushing out of the kitchen and engulfing me in a hug.

"I missed you also" I laughed

"Look at you, all pregnant and glowing. How was your vacation?? I'm sorry it was cut short"

"yea it's fine. What's going on Mona what was so important we had to come home for??" I could not help my curiosity

"I see he didn't tell you" her gaze dropped to the floor " it's about Maximiliano's death and you"

It seemed as if an alarm was set off as I heard those words. It was about Maximiliano and I?? That means they had finally found out that he was dead and somehow pieced to puzzle to meet Luca. After eleven whole months, almost a year of his death and it was now anyone was finding out of his demise.

"the antimafia squad are after us Aimee"

"oh my God - t-this is so bad.. This is - oh no.. I can't handle this... Not with a child on the way" panic already begun crawling through my veins

"hey - hey Aimee relax, just pull yourself together" helping me to sit, she massaged my shoulders to help me calm down

"everything is going to be fine, Luca is on his way to the office he'll sort it out. You're safe here"

"we're not safe Mona, we're all in this.. We could get arrested if worse we could get killed" one of the guards stationed outside walked into the room interrupting our discussion. Making his way to Monica who sat at the arm of the cushion, he bent to meet her figure and spoke to her in a hushed tone which she gave a response to in the same manner.

"get yourselves into positions, you know what to do. I'll inform Luca on this immediately" the guard nodded in understanding before leaving the room.

"Has something gone wrong again??? What's happening???"

"nothing we can't handle Aimee" slipping her hand into the pockets of the black joggers she wore, Mona took out her cell phone and dialed Luca.

" Stanno arrivando, devi tornare a casa immediatamente"

(they're coming, you need to get home immediately) fear leaked from her voice and that was when I knew I was totally screwed.

The sound of gunshots being fired rang through the neighborhood, this was enough proof that the war had begun. Nemesis had finally caught up with Luca and I was caught in the middle of everything..

"Aimee you need to get to the safe room, Luca is on his way!" hands into her pockets, she pulled out a gun

"secure the gates!!"

"Brados, Nico, Patrick I want you three at the front door. Everyone get in place!!!" she barked out orders as she guided me up the fleet of stairs.

Glasses begun shattering as bullets flew through the air. Monica used herself as a shield pulling me along corners and edges just to avoid being hit by a stray bullet..

" Where is Raffaelle and the other's??"

"Raffaelle is at the office, Adam is at the exquisite hotel, Gustavo is at our hide out. While Alfonso and the rest are guarding other Savedra establishments." we were currently at a corner in the huge hallway

"but they're su---"

"Shhhhh" Mona hushed me up covering my mouth with her palm. Someone was here

"they're supposed to be here" I whispered

"we didn't exactly know they'll come to the mansion. No one saw this coming"

A low beeping sound went off, Mona's fingertips glazed an earplug I hadn't noticed before.

"alright, we'll be there right now" she said

"who is that??"

"Luca is already here to get you" I held onto her arms firmly as we moved out.

We hadn't gone far off when two armed antimafia men cornered us with guns pointed directly at us.

"Let go of the pregnant lady miss" one stated, his face holding no single trace of fear.

Monica hesitated sizing them thoroughly with her eyes.

"Step away from the lady" he repeated

"Or what??" his face visibly twitched in anger at her open confrontation.

He didn't have enough time to reply as one of Luca's men shot the both antimafia guys dead. Bodies dropping on the floor Mona gave him a quick thank you nod before pulling me along with her.

"Over here!!!!" someone yelled, multiple footsteps where heard as the antimafia men rushed up the stairs. Guards were also huddling up to form a sort of fence against the opposing men.

"Get her to the capo, we'll handle it" the guard who had shot the previous guys spoke.

My heart broke at the thought of how many lives would be lost today from both the antimafia squad and the Savedra men as a cause of this clash.

Punching in the password at the clear wall the door to the secret passage opened, Luca already at the other end waiting for us. His arms engulfed me in a hug immediately his eyes met mine.

"I'm here now tesoro"

In a matter of seconds, a bullet pierced into Mona's right leg and she fell to the ground.

"Mona!!!" I yelled as a rush of tears filled my eyes.

With quick reflexes, Luca instinctively shot the three men dead.

"Are you okay" I squatted to meet her now sitting body.

"I'm fine, it's just a small wound. You have to leave now"

"what?? No Mona we're not leaving you like this!!!" I objected

Luca scooped me into his arms in a split second and shut the door.

"Luca no!! We can't just leave her. We need to go back!!" I struggled in his arms as he made his way out an unknown route.

"She's going to be fine tesoro, she was trained for this. You're the one who needs all the protection"

"Please Luca"

"I promise you she'll be fine".

From the safe room, there was a tunnel which led outside the mansion. A black Bently parked right in front of the door. My guess to why it wasn't a sports car was due to the complete lock down the antimafia squad had brought upon our home.

Opening the door to the backseat, Luca placed me in carefully before getting in

"They're getting away!!!" we heard an unknown voice yell

"Vai Rico" Luca ordered, the vehicle roared to life speeding away.

The antimafia squad were rather too prepared and begun trailing behind us.

"Luca" my heart pumping fast and loud from fear

"DRIVE FUCKING FASTER RICO!!" he yelled agitatedly

"I'm doing my best capo"

Five more minutes of reckless driving on the road, with the squad hot on our trail. Turning back, I stared yet again at the five vans following right behind us, sirens blowing up loudly.

Rico suddenly took a sharp unexpected turn and that sort of distorted the antimafia vans. We had gained an upper hand now.

"good job" Luca complimented

"See, I told you everything was going to be okay tesoro" he pulled me to him

"what's our destination capo??" Rico inquired still driving on full speed

"The safe haven" he curtly said.

"place an echo call to Raffaelle "

Rico compiled to what he was told and placed a call to Raffaelle.

"Alexa, call Raffaelle "

Few seconds of beeping and he picked up

" Si Luca" his voice blurted out through the speaker

"Get reenforcement to the mansion immediately, that's where those bastard are and Monica needs help. Get everyone to the safe haven when you're done"

" Alright, and Aimee?? She's okay??"

"Yes. We're already heading there" Luca replied before the call ended.

A van suddenly cornered and parked up front making Rico pull the breaks quickly. The car screeched loudly then abruptly stopped few inches before the van.

It was an antimafia van, they had used tactics on us.

Other vans drove in and parked round us. We were surrounded with no escape. The occupants of the vans alighted the vehicle armed with guns ready to fire at any slight wrong move.

We were done for, totally screwed.

"fuck" Luca cursed under his breath.

"Luca Savedra step down from the vehicle and hand over the lady you hold captive" they were talking about me, from what I understand, they believe Luca murdered Maximiliano and took me captive.

"Step down from the vehicle to avoid further complications" the voice rang through the megaphone

Luca complied to their request and the three of us stepped out the vehicle, with no gun in sight.

"Luca Savedra it is believed you are to be held responsible for the murder of a certain Maximiliano and the abduction of Aimee Alessandro" the man spoke again

"I haven't fucking killed anyone, this woman is legally my wife" Luca yelled back

"Aimee Alessandro, step towards us and away from the accused" he said again

What??? Was this it??? My moment of actual freedom??

Luca's eyes met mine briefly before an evil laughter raked through him.

"Is this a fucking joke?!?"

"Mr Savedra you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you"

Rico stood quietly not saying a word, eyes raking the whole area probably looking for any loophole

"Aimee I repeat, step away from the accused. We can protect you"

On hearing the words for a second time, my legs reacted on their own taking steps away from Luca. My number one instinct was to protect myself but overall my baby. If I was leaving Luca, I was doing it for my son. I wanted him to have a normal life and not to be born into a curse.

"What are you doing Aimee?!?" he yelled as I begun walking towards the group of antimafia men

"AIMEE YOU CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS!!! GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!!!" his voice sent shivers of fear through my body, I stopped moving and stayed rooted in place

"You're doing the right thing miss, we can protect you" he persuaded

"DON'T DARE REFER TO HER AS MISS!!"

I took the first unsure step before my courage begun building back up and I walked towards the men, one immediately placed a jacket over my shoulder.

"No, no, no, no, you can't fucking do this to me!!! Come back to Me Aimee!!!" I heard him scream but I didn't turn around, I couldn't look at him

"Aimee come back!! You can't take my child away from me!!!! NO!!! YOU CAN'T"

My body shook as I began to cry, unable to listen to his desperate screams. His emotions showed clearly through his voice which echoed in the silent road.

My tears flowed continuously as I felt worse, I was after all depriving him of having a child in his life. I felt totally awful.

" PLEASE!! "

I finally turned around to look at Luca, the man I was married to. The monster who had taken me against my will and maltreated me. The man I was pregnant for.

My heart clenched at what I saw. The man I feared with my life, who is feared by so many was looking at me broken, eyes full with pain, calling for me to come back to him with his son but I couldn't comply to it.

Turning back to face the men, one led me towards one of the vans.

"AIMEE!!! AIMEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!"

He yelled my name in shear pain

Within a split second, Rico shot at the officer beside me making me turn back. I guess it was based on impulse from seeing his boss in such emotional pain. The other antimafia men reacted quickly and he was shot multiple times. body falling to the ground, he hit the floor lifeless.

Rico had gotten killed before my eyes and probably because of me. The second officer by my side rushed me into the van before getting into the drivers seat and driving off.

My destination unknown but at least it was a safe place away from Luca. Looking through the the glass I could see four officers getting into the Bently along with Luca and another dragging Rico's body into their van.