Page 54 of Between Steel and Secrets
Which has me questioning who else would show up for Zeke.
“The man had a snake tattoo.” I gesture to my neck. “Do any of Dante’s men have that type of tattoo?” Ashton would know; he’s worked long enough for Dante.
“No.” Ashton folds his arms across his chest. “Any other distinguishing features?”
“Dark hair, dark eyes. They didn’t give me a lot to go on, and the security camera feed didn’t capture anything. He wore a hat to cover his face from view.”
“Of course, he did,” Ashton grumbles and glances over his shoulder at Nova, who is standing in the hallway with Zeke, eavesdropping.
“If it’s not one of Dante’s men, then whoever was after us months ago, they’re still out there.”
Ashton paces the length of the living room, quiet.
“Ashton?” I need answers.
“I’m thinking!” He huffs, and the front door turns with the lock as it is unclasped.
My heart pounds wildly in my chest when Luca steps inside. “Someone tried to kidnap our son!”
“What?” Luca growls and drops his bag at the front door. “Where is he?”
“He’s okay.” Nova cuddles Zeke, nuzzling his nose, and he wiggles to get down.
Zeke runs to Luca, and he swiftly lifts him off the ground, pulling him into his arms. Luca thoroughly examines Zeke, inspecting to make sure there’s not so much as a fresh scratch or mark on him.
“Whoever it is, he didn’t get past the front entrance at the daycare.” I tilt my head, staring at Luca. “Do you know anyone with a snake tattoo on their neck?”
His brow pinches, and immediately, he shakes his head, no hesitation. “No. Is that the description of the guy?”
I recant the physical details I was given to Luca, which isn’t much.
Luca and Ashton exchange a quick glance.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I shout, demanding to be let in on their little secret. Whatever it is, I don’t like being kept in the dark when it involves my family.
“The threat from this past year is dead, but it’s possible someone else in the DeLuca family took Massimo’s place,” Luca says.
“DeLuca family?” I have no idea who they are. “What do they want with my son?”
“Probably to get to Dante through you,” Ashton guesses. “I suppose they don’t realize you two don’t get along.”
Luca’s nose crinkles as he glances at Ashton. “We have an away game this week.”
There’s a heavy sigh that escapes Ashton’s lips. He glances in the direction of the hallway where Nova is standing. She leans against the wall, no longer hiding from the conversation.
“Do you think something might happen when you’re gone?” Nova is the first to ask.
“Nothing is going to happen to my family,” Luca growls and stalks closer to me, Zeke still in his arms.
I feel his presence before he takes the last stride, coming to stand in front of me. “You’re going to stay with Dante while we’re away.”
Zeke climbs from Luca back into my arms, and I finally put him down, letting him run around the house, convinced that it’s safe here.
“What?” My eyes widen. “You’re absolutely insane, Luca. Your father hates me, made it clear that I’m not welcome. Are you certain he’s not the one behind the abduction? This could all be a revenge plot, a way to teach me a lesson for going to the cops.”
He purses his lips, not denying my question. “No one he works with has a snake tattoo. Liam, Ashton, and I are going to be home late after the game. I don’t like knowing that it’s just the two of you girls alone with Zeke.”
Nova steps forward. “I know how to use a gun.”
