Revenge in Rio Read online

  She rolled her eyes. “Bodyguards, really?”

  “You won’t tell me why you fear for your life–sorry, my life–so I improvised. I told you it would be safe, didn’t I?” Luca’s hand rested on the small of her back and worked tiny, affectionate circles through the fabric of her dress.

  “Hmm,” she responded, leaning into him.

  The noise was incredible and the atmosphere crackled with electricity from the crowd’s excitement and passion. The hypnotic samba rhythms and thunderous drumbeats pulsated through the whole of Rio and filled everybody with the joy of life. Flamboyantly colored outfits clung to both men and women as they twirled and strutted along the procession. Countless glitzy sequins and enormous tropical colored feathers finished off the remarkable attention to detail of the dancer’s outfits. Costumes had flares of originality and competition, some the most scant and sparing of material just covering the wearer’s modesty.

  “This is very cool, I have to admit,” Daniella said.

  Luca collected two drinks from the barman and offered her a fresh orange juice, which she accepted, keeping her gaze on the never ending stretch of color and sounds.

  “I told you. Now are you going to dance with me or what?”

  A high-pitched shriek type giggle escaped her as he grabbed hold of her free hand and pulled her to him; he was already moving in time with the rhythm.

  “Check you out,” she teased, and naturally followed his lead.

  “Well, I have a few moves in my repertoire.” He winked.

  * * * *

  “Thank you for today. It was just what I needed.” Daniella looked across the Bentley. Luca was relaxed with one arm resting along the top of the back seat and softly grazing against her neck. The warmth radiated from his fingertips and sent wave after wave of delicious shivers throughout her body.

  He faced her and threw her off guard with his dark, penetrating gaze as if he was searching inside of her. “You don’t need to thank me, but you’re welcome.”

  It was now late and they had stayed longer than their agreed couple of hours. Luca had anticipated that she would feel tired early on, but she had been the one to pull him up out of his chair for further dances and cheering. Feelings of security, belonging and…love settled comfortably deep within her as she thought back to how his arms had been tightly wrapped around her for the most part of the evening.

  “Sir, we’re going to take another route. We’re being tailed.”

  Daniella was snatched away from her daydream by the head bodyguard’s gruff voice.

  What did he just say? Adrenalin began to pump around her body, making her fidget in her seat.

  “Fine,” Luca calmly replied without moving a muscle.

  “What did you just say?” Daniella needed no repetition, but still the words stumbled out of her mouth. “We’re being followed, by who?”

  The bodyguard looked over his shoulder at her and then to Luca, as if seeking permission to expose whom their followers were. Luca raised his eyebrows in a nonchalant fashion.

  “They appear to be favela folk, Miss. All male. It’s all in hand and nothing for you to worry about.”

  She knew he was lying. He might be professionally trained to lie in an attempt to ease her worry, but Daniella didn’t believe a word of it. Worrying was something she’d been doing for a long time, and she wasn’t about to stop now. Especially when it came to the gang. The air was sucked from her lungs and she clutched her stomach as her brain processed his words. Regulating her breathing had suddenly become the most challenging thing in the world as her mouth dried and her stomach knotted with anxiety.

  “See, this is exactly what I meant earlier. You don’t…know what they are capable of—”

  “Stop the car,” Luca interrupted, still remaining in the same poised and calm position.

  “Sir?” The chauffeur made eye contact with him in the rearview mirror, one eyebrow raised in question.

  “I said stop the car, pull over.”

  “What are you doing? Are you mad? You just heard what he said, they are from Miguel’s gang and—”

  Luca rested his index finger on her lips to prevent her from speaking. “You need to remember they were my gang long before Miguel’s. I just need five minutes with them and this will all be forgotten. You won’t need to worry yourself sick anymore, though God only knows why you do.”

  “It’s not that simple.” Daniella licked her lips as he removed his finger. She was aware of the car grinding to a halt on the side of the road. “Please, Luca, I’m begging you. Don’t…you don’t know what they’re capable of…” She held firmly on to his forearm, attempting to anchor him to the spot.

  “Querida, you really think so naively of me?” His face was relaxed and his voice was full of confidence. Removing her hand from his arm, he then placed a tender kiss across her knuckles. “Wait here and don’t move. I’ll be right back, I promise.” His gaze lowered to her pregnant abdomen before he released her trembling hand and opened the car door.

  She watched as the bodyguard also exited.

  No. No, I can’t let him.

  “Luca!” She threw open the door and closed the space between them.

  “I told you to stay put.” Luca growled at her, the first sign of his relaxed face tensing.

  “I couldn’t…I can’t…I’m scared.” Her body shook and she wished his arms were enveloping her safely as they had done earlier that evening.

  “You have nothing to be scared of, Daniella.” He looked up and then back at her. “I swear to God, I will let nothing happen to you or your baby.”

  One car and three motorbikes came to loud standstill a few meters ahead of them. Daniella reluctantly lifted her gaze to follow Luca’s, which was fixed on one man at the front of the group. A man in his early twenties, muscular, with an arrogant stance and the telltale gang tattoo on his neck. Her gaze moved back to Luca’s neck and again registered the slightly scarred area. An inkling of reassurance warmed her knowing he’d had the tattoo removed and was no longer part of their ruthless family.

  Were they there to harm Luca? Would they hurt him…kill him? Were they still following Miguel’s orders even though he was no longer there? She swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat as if it were razor blades. She couldn’t let him go alone.

  “But it’s not me I’m worried for,” she whispered into his chest.

  His hand supported the back of her head as his fingers entangled amongst her curls, softly massaging her scalp. “I have told you before, you don’t need to worry about me.”

  “But I do. You’re not meant to be here and if they…” She pushed her face harder into his body and inhaled his cologne, the masculine scent that was all him.

  She wasn’t making sense to herself let alone to Luca. She couldn’t tell him the truth. She had always worried about him; from the very second Miguel had threatened his life with his vicious words. She knew that Luca’s twisted younger sibling was capable of staying true to his word to fulfill his spiteful plan of jealousy and blackmail. Even after Luca left Brazil, she had worried about his safety. Had they followed him? Had Miguel lied to her and continued to threaten his brother’s life even after her sacrifice? She’d spent so much time worrying that it now even filled her dreams, her nightmares, on a regular basis.

  “Trust me, okay?” His free hand cupped her chin and forced her to look up at him, to meet his intense gaze that ignited heat deep within her belly. His eyes watched her with such intensity it made her feel dizzy. “Sim?”

  She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and bit down hard enough to taste her own blood.

  “Stop doing that.” His thumb brushed over her bottom lip. “You need to trust me.”

  * * * *

  Daniella’s nails dug into Luca’s hand as they closed the space between them and the group of men. She had insisted on going with him and had been on the brink of hysteria when he’d said no. With her nails sinking into his flesh, he questioned why she was so scared
of the familiar men now standing before them.

  “Ricardo.” Luca nodded his head to casually greet the man obviously now in charge.

  Ricardo inhaled the last drag from his cigarette, dropped it to the pavement, and used the heel of his shoe to put it out. He was in his early twenties and Luca clearly remembered him as a kid. Now, several years later, there he was, attempting to intimidate by folding his arms across his chest, just enough to reveal a glimpse of the gun tucked into the side of his waistband.

  “You’re not welcome in Brazil.” Finally Ricardo spoke, his gaze darting from Daniella back to Luca.

  “Well, I had some business to attend to.” Yes, business, he reminded himself. Remember. Treat her like a business plan. “And naturally I wanted to pay my respects to my brother.”

  Ricardo grimaced at Luca’s last words. “Miguel would turn in his grave knowing you were here. How long do you intend to stay?”

  Luca shrugged and kept his gaze firmly on Ricardo. “Like I said, I’m here for business. Once it’s finished, I will be gone.”

  Daniella’s nails withdrew one by one, and she wriggled her fingers in his palm as she fidgeted beside him and he instantly knew what she was thinking.

  What about her?

  Ricardo’s gaze shifted and fell on their joined hands, and he raised an eyebrow. “And you think your brother would be pleased about this? Taking his wife and child? And you…” He looked Daniella up and down and snorted. “You didn’t wait long before running back and shacking up with him, did you?”

  “Hey! You’re talking to me, not her.” Luca’s voice boomed and filled the silent night all around them. Lunging forward, he dropped Daniella’s hand and was nose to nose with Ricardo. The adrenalin surged through his body and he was ready to protect what was his now. His fighting days were long over, but he could still fight if necessary.

  Ricardo and the other five men scowled and retreated slightly. Their apparent bravado and attitude vanished within seconds.

  “Don’t be a fool and outstay your welcome, Venancio. We wouldn’t want this to end…unnecessarily, would we? I don’t want your blood on my hands, but equally, I don’t want you in Brazil. Finish your business and then leave. You’re not welcome here. You lost the right to be here when you deserted your family.”

  Luca knew Ricardo was referring to the gang as his family. He’d walked years ago and ultimately signed his farewell to Brazil. He’d left the gang in his teenage years, but remained living and working in Rio, a silent agreement reached between him and the rest of them.

  Luca leaned forward and whispered into Ricardo’s ear so nobody else could catch what he said. “You wouldn’t have it in you, kid. You should know by now, I do not take orders from anyone, especially my little brother and his errand boys. I ran things long before you could even walk, and whatever my reasons were for leaving the family, they’re none of your fucking business. Now run along.”

  Ricardo stared back at him, but quickly looked away. Luca admitted that Ricardo was good at the ‘imitating bad guy’ act, but deep down inside he didn’t have the gumption to follow through with his threats. Although they may hate him, he knew the majority of the men still held some form of respect for their previous leader.

  Ricardo muttered something and the group of men followed him back to their vehicles.

  “What just happened? What did you say?” Daniella was behind him with one trembling hand on his forearm.

  Cupping her face with both hands, he bent down to meet her lips.

  Business, Luca. She’s just business.

  Chapter 8

  Luca looked into the large mirror on the bathroom wall and fixed the knot of his bow tie. He knew he had nothing to worry about with regard to the gala this evening. After hiring a successful event planner to deal with the details, he knew it would run like clockwork.

  He’d showered and dressed in his tailor-made tuxedo, all the while thinking how sweet his revenge would taste.

  It would be tonight. She was head over heels in love with him, again, and now all he had to do was take what he wanted and end it. Simple.

  He caught his reflection in the mirror and his gaze fell upon the frown lines on his forehead. For the briefest of seconds, he barely recognized the man staring back at him. Could he be so cold, so cruel? It was simple…wasn’t it?

  He dragged one hand over his face and met his reflection once again. He raised his eyebrows and then closed his eyes in an attempt to get rid of the lines and the uncomfortable feelings of guilt within him. He buttoned up the tux jacket and took one last look in the mirror. Business.

  Luca made his way to the lounge and poured himself a generous measure of expensive whiskey while he waited for Daniella. His mind conjured up images of how she would look…what would she be wearing, how would she smell? Although she’d argued several times that she didn’t want him to spend money on her, he’d won the fight and insisted her dress be tailor-made and that he would be paying. End of discussion. He’d hired the best couturier this side of the globe, knowing she would create something suitable for Daniella and the gala scene. She had to look the part, although to him she would look stunning draped in a rubbish bag. Her natural beauty shone through whatever she wore.

  The soft click of heels interrupted his thoughts and he turned. Daniella was standing at the top of the twisting marble staircase. Luca was aware of his jaw dropping as he took in the vision before him. Her long, chocolate-colored curls were styled and loosely cascaded over her shoulders. Her petite figure was wrapped in a rich, two-tone, floor-sweeping gown; a deep azure blue silk covered the top half of her body with a plunging V-neck and short, kimono-style sleeves barely skimmed the top of her arms. A block of indigo blue fell and draped from under her bust to the floor, elegantly swathing over her small, neat baby bump.

  She slowly descended the staircase, clutching her evening purse with one hand and the stair rail with the other. Luca threw back the last mouthful of whiskey and moved closer to the bottom step and offered her his hand.

  A faint smile spread across her lips when she placed her soft hand in his palm.

  “You look…” He shook his head, utterly lost for words. The most flattering wouldn’t have been enough to describe the image in front of him. For a split second, he worried he was about to lose control. She was a vision of beauty.

  “I know, I know. I’m sure I look like a whale,” Daniella finished his sentence for him.

  “Ridiculo,” he protested and helped her off the final step. “You look like a goddess. I have never seen anything more exquisite in my life.”

  His pulse quickened; she was how he imagined perfection would look. Flawless and breathtaking in every sense of the word. Her golden-colored skin shone with a vitality he’d never noticed before. As each day passed, she appeared healthier and she glowed with a luminescent beauty. Pregnancy suited her and enhanced her womanliness.

  “There is something missing. Wait one minute.” He turned and left her standing alone whilst he collected a small designer box from his desk.

  “Here.” He handed her the ribbon-tied box.

  “What is it?” she asked, eyeing him and then the box curiously.

  “Well, open it and you will see.”

  “I told you I didn’t want any more gifts—”

  “Please, just open it. Humor me.” He placed his hand on the small of her back. The back of the dress plunged halfway down her spine, leaving bare skin against his fingertips. The feel of her naked flesh against his palm instantly aroused him, battling with his libido.

  “Fine, okay.” Daniella rolled her eyes and began to undo the ribbon around the black velvet trinket box.

  He knew she hated receiving gifts from him. She’d explained enough times that she didn’t want to be showered with his money and wanted to earn her own way, which she had been doing through her share of home cooking, much to Maria’s disapproval. Wondering why she detested it so much, he found himself asking if perhaps Miguel had not shown her
such tenderness and gestures of love.

  Love? He took that word back instantly. It was a simple facade of love. As far as he cared, she could throw the jewelry in the trash bin or sell it after he was done with her.

  “Oh, Luca.” Her soft whisper hung in the air, and he was tugged away from his thoughts yet again.

  “I hoped you would like it.”

  “I love it. It’s gorgeous.” She lightly ran her fingers over the set of delicate diamond and gold-leaf necklace and earrings. “You shouldn’t have—”

  “Hush. Now try it on.” He took the necklace from the box and fastened the intricate chain around her neck.

  Daniella set the box on a nearby coffee table and fastened the earrings before he held both of her hands and stood back to admire her once more.

  “Breathtaking.”

  A rosy-colored glow shone in her cheeks as if he’d embarrassed her.

  “Let’s go.” He offered her his arm. “Tonight, all of Rio will see just how beautiful you are.”

  Daniella accepted his gesture and slid her arm through his. Out of the corner of his eye, Luca watched her place her hand to her bump and give a gentle, almost reassuring touch. Yet again he was reminded of the innocent child between them as guilt tugged at his heart.

  * * * *

  The limousine came to a gentle standstill outside their destination and Daniella sank into her seat. Her stomach was fluttering uncontrollably with nerves, along with some vigorous kicks from her baby. She wasn’t sure she could go through with this. She was the type of person who liked to stay well and truly out of the limelight, safely tucked away in her own world—to blend in with everyday life and not cause a scene. She had learned quickly not to question or talk back to Miguel and his gang, for fear of the consequences and actions that would meet her. Drawing attention to herself wasn’t a good thing and often left her a target for his temper.

  You never used to be like that.

  This wasn’t the time—nor the place—for her subconscious to start talking to her.

  Tonight, this would be another world, a world of which she knew nothing. It was Luca’s circle and she needed him more than ever to get through it. She’d reluctantly agreed to be his guest and continued to reassure herself it was just for a few hours. It wouldn’t kill her.