Chapter 7: An Attempt on my Life

Luca's eyes glinted like a viper's as they bored into me. "Still so bold, little dove? Even with your talons stripped bare?"

I stood firm, the iron poker still clutched tight. "Leave at once. You're not welcome here."

He talked, prowling closer. "Not very hospitable for family, are we? One might think you played some part in my tragic exile." A cruel smile twisted his lips. "Father always was swayed by a pretty face."

"Your own venomous words poisoned him against you," I shot back. "I only brought them to light."

Luca circled casually, his predatory focus never leaving me. "Poetic. But we both know you've been positioning yourself from the start to take what's mine. Slithering into Father's confidence, turning him against me." His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "Tell me, will his bed be next?"

Fury spiked through me at the revolting suggestion. "I honored my vows to this family, unlike you. Now get out before I summon the guards to drag you out."

Luca clicked his tongue. "Bold words again, but empty. We're all alone here, little dove." In a sudden burst of movement, he struck like a viper, wrenching the fire iron from my hand and tossing it aside. I stumbled back with a cry as he gripped my wrists, his breath hot on my face.

"If you think I'll quietly slink away while you steal what is rightfully mine, you're gravely mistaken." His fingers bit cruelly into my skin as I struggled in vain to break free. "I will make you regret ever crossing me. Starting with that sharp little tongue."

He forced me back against the wall, pinning me in place with the full strength of his body. I thrashed and clawed to no avail. As I opened my mouth to scream, his hand clamped down, stifling the sound.

"Let this be a warning, darling. I will take back all you tried to rob from me, piece by wretched piece." His eyes raked me up and down. "Perhaps I'll start with those pretty eyes. Pluck them out so you need not witness my restoration."

I shook my head frantically, screams muffled by his palm. He leaned in, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Sleep lightly, little dove. The viper in your nest has only begun to stir."

With that, he released me abruptly and strode to the balcony doors. I collapsed back against the wall, gasping for breath, as Luca glanced over his shoulder.

"Until next we meet." He flashed his chilling smile, then disappeared over the railing into darkness.

I sagged to the floor, heart pounding. Luca's threats hung heavy in the air even after he had gone. Clearly he would stop at nothing to regain his place and exact revenge. I had hoped exposing him would be the end of this deadly game of cat and mouse. But it seemed the true battle was only just beginning.

I lay restless that night, listening for any hint of intruders. But no further disturbance came. With the dawn I rose, washed, and dressed on numb limbs. Though wearied from lack of sleep, dread spurred me on. I needed to warn Marco about Luca while also avoiding rousing suspicions myself.

As the household stirred, I slipped downstairs unnoticed in search of him. Luck was on my side - Marco stood alone near the kitchen doors, sipping his morning coffee. I hurried over before any others appeared.

"A word, Marco?" I murmured. His eyes narrowed warily, but he followed me out of earshot. As subtly as possible I relayed Luca's late night visit, letting urgency color my hushed tone. Marco listened intently, brow furrowing deeper.

"He grows reckless in his rage," Marco rumbled when I finished. "His threats are not hollow."

I clasped my hands before me beseechingly. "You know these streets and alleys better than any, Marco. If you see or hear aught of Luca's plots, I beg you warn me."

Marco studied me a long moment before dipping his head. "You have my word. Take care, miss. Dark days loom ahead."

I returned to my rooms feeling some small measure of relief. If Luca intended to strike, perhaps Marco could provide forewarning. But it was a slim hope at best. Luca was a viper - he would attack from the shadows when least expected. I could only wait, vigilant and wary.

The next week passed tensely as I listened in vain for any whisper of Luca's return. Life in the manor progressed normally above stairs. But below, the mood grew increasingly grim.

More arguments filtered up from the Don's study, always concerning "that traitorous boy." Any who dared speak Luca's name aloud now suffered the Don's fearsome wrath. Meanwhile, the cadre of guards patrolling the grounds doubled.

My lessons with Isabella continued, though we often read the same page thrice over when distraction stole my focus. The household walked on eggshells, braced for the axe to fall. Marco remained my sole comfort, bringing me surreptitious notes of support when none were about. I clung to them like lifelines.

Several mornings later, the uneasy peace was broken without warning. I was dressing for breakfast when urgent shouts echoed from the courtyard. Rushing to my window, I saw guards hastily loading into cars, roaring off in clouds of gravel.

Heart pounding, I flew downstairs still in my nightdress. I caught a grim faced Marco coming up the rear steps.

"What's happened?" I gasped out.

His jaw was tight. "Raid on our southern warehouses. The Don has gone to assess the damage." His look conveyed the rest - this had Luca's fingerprints all over it.

I clasped a hand to my throat, stunned. Even exiled, Luca had found a way to strike at the heart of his father's operations.

"This will not go unpunished," Marco said darkly before brushing past. I watched him disappear inside, dread a leaden weight on my chest.

In the following days, the manor became a virtual armed garrison. Guards patrolled every corner, carting weapons and whispering of war. Meals proceeded in tense silence. The Don only picked at his food, face like a thundercloud.

After one such oppressive dinner, he fixed me with a piercing look. "Come to my study after. We have matters to discuss."

I nearly choked on my mouthful of pheasant but only nodded mutely. What could he want with me now? Had Luca planted seeds of doubt once more?

Too soon I found myself seated across from the Don, pinned by his flinty gaze. He wasted no time.

"The escalation of recent events is...concerning. I believe it prudent you be removed from the estate for the time being."

I blinked, startled by this last thing I expected to hear. "Removed, my lord?"

He waved a hand irritably. "This is not a request. Arrangements have been made at our safehouse in the country. You leave tomorrow." His tone brooked no argument.

My thoughts raced. Was he trying to protect me from Luca? Or simply remove a perceived threat? Either way, I was powerless to refuse.

I bowed my head in obedience. "Whatever you command. My only wish is to serve this family."

He grunted. "See that you do." Dismissing me with a glare, he turned his attention to the papers strewn across his desk.

I left the study with a thousand anxious questions swirling through my mind. Marco waited just outside and fell in step beside me.

"Word travels fast. Seems you're to be our little canary in the coal mine," he muttered.

I stifled a wild urge to laugh at the thought of myself as their helpless warning sign. "So it seems. Will you come as well?"

"Where you go, I follow." Marco's tone allowed no debate. I felt a small knot in my chest loosen, comforted I would not make this journey alone.

We departed before dawn the next morning in a small hired coach, me, Marco up top with the driver, and two additional taciturn guards. I watched the sprawling manor disappear from view behind its high stone walls with equal parts sadness and relief. Perhaps some distance would offer safety, if only temporary.

The day passed slowly, the terrain growing increasingly rugged and wild. We switched coaches at a ramshackle country inn as evening fell. My nerves only grew more on edge as night smothered the lonely roads.

We were not far from our destination when it happened. The horses rounded a sharp bend in the canyon pass and immediately shied in distress. I heard Marco shout. In the same instant, an explosion rocked the coach, nearly toppling it.

One of the wheels had struck some device planted in the middle of the road. As the passage filled with smoke, I heard one of the wheels had struck some device planted in the middle of the road. As the passage filled with smoke, I heard the driver cry out and the horses whinny in panic.

"Ambush!" Marco bellowed from above.

Gunshots rang out, bullets pinging off the side of the coach. The guards inside with me drew their own pistols, returning fire out the window.

"Get down!" one shouted at me. I dropped to the floor, covering my head as the coach rocked precariously. Outside I could hear Marco and the driver struggling to control the spooked horses.

There was a sickening lurch as the damaged wheel finally gave out, sending the coach crashing onto its side. I was thrown against the window, my head and shoulder exploding in pain from the impact.

Groaning, I tried to pull myself upright in the tilted coach. One guard had been knocked unconscious, while the other shouted into the roiling smoke for Marco. My door was pinned shut on the ground. We were trapped.

Suddenly the door was wrenched open from outside. I gasped as a figure loomed in the opening — a masked man wielding a wicked curved blade. Before either guard could react, the assassin dispatched them with brutal efficiency.

Then his glittering eyes turned my way. I froze in horror, unarmed and helpless, as he reached for me with a gloved hand. This was no random brigand. Luca had sent him to finish the job.

"Time to send your regards back to Papa Bianchi," the man growled through his mask. He grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me toward the door as I screamed.

The last thing I saw was the blade arcing toward my throat before everything went black.