Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 84: Chapter 84

LUCA
Talciro handed me a glass of something dark and expensive as soon as I entered his office, led by his bodyguard.
I took it, not because I wanted it, but because I needed to be doing something other than dashing back outside to make sure Alina was safe.
Talciro was about sixty, with steely eyes and a stern mouth. I had no idea why he had invited me to his office, but I was about to find out, and I hoped he would get to the point soon.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” he said, smooth as ever, like he could read my mind. “I know you’re a busy man. And I’ve got guests waiting outside.”
I gave a single nod and took the seat across from him. I didn’t trust him.
His smile was too polished, and his demeanor was too familiar.
Men like him only spoke first when they had something to gain. What did he want with me that he didn't already have?
“I’ve been doing a little digging,” he continued. “You’ve got a reputation. Word is you’re into weapons.”
My grip tightened around the glass. Why was one of the most powerful men in Chicago digging into me?
But I didn’t blink. “I don’t talk business in unfamiliar places,” I said. “Especially not rooms that might be bugged, and all my words recorded.”
He laughed, toasting me with his half filled glass. “Smart man. We’ll arrange something proper on neutral ground.”
I said nothing. I didn’t like this. Every second I sat there, I felt like I was being reeled into something I didn’t ask for.
He finished his drink, adjusted his cufflinks, then stood. “Come. I want to show you something.”
Every instinct told me to say no. But I stood, slid one hand casually into my jacket pocket, wrapping it around cold steel. If this was a setup, he wouldn’t walk out of it alive either.
He tapped a panel on the wall. It clicked, sliding open like something out of a damn spy movie.
There was a hidden corridor. Classy.
We walked into a narrow passage that opened into a second room.
I froze by the door.
The room was staked full with gold.
Bars gleaming under the harsh light, neatly arranged like someone had taken the time to make them look beautiful. Floor to ceiling.
There was an obscene amount of wealth sitting quiet and heavy in the room.
“It came in three weeks ago,” Talciro said, almost reverently. “It has been hidden here since.”
I didn’t speak. I didn’t even breathe too deep. My mind was already racing, calculating the risk of just seeing something like this.
“Where’s it from?” I asked calmly, looking away with a force of will. That gold was worth millions.
He shrugged, careless. “Let’s just say no one’s missing it.”
Of course. So he had stolen it. It made sense why he had a secret room to hide it then.
“And why are you showing me this?” I asked. “And what does stacks of gold in your secret room have to do with tech?”
“Because I know where to get more,” he said. “A lot more. I need your help.”
I didn’t even flinch. I rolled my shoulders and stepped away from him. “I’m done here.”
Talciro’s shocked face tilted towards me. “Luca…”
“I said I’m done.” I turned to leave. “I don’t talk business in other men’s dens. Especially ones stacked with someone else’s gold.”
I started walking. Fast.
I’d been away from Alina too long. And she’d already dealt with more than enough today.
Victoria alone was a full-time test of anyone’s sanity. I wasn’t going to leave her in that lion’s den for another minute.
“I’ll see myself out,” I said.
Talciro trailed behind me. “You don’t mention this to anyone.”
I stopped. Turned back to him. “Leaky mouths get people killed,” I said coldly. “You know who I am. Or you wouldn’t have bothered with this bullshit.”
His eyes darkened at my bold words, but he nodded.
We walked back into the hallway together.
That was when I saw Riot slipping into a side room alone.
I stopped. “What the hell is he doing here?”
Talciro barely looked up. “Analide invited Victoria. She brought him.”
My head snapped toward him. “She brought him?”
I had assumed Riot had brought Victoria with him. But this information changed everything. And why would Analide invite Victoria?
Had I really heard them talking about the ruined dress earlier?
I moved toward the room Riot had entered and pushed the door open without knocking.
He was by the window, kissing some woman. She was moaning, her hands around his neck, her face was hidden in his neck.
The bastard. He had come with Victoria, yet he had already moved on and was kissing another woman.
When I shut the door behind me, he looked up.
The woman screamed, startled. Riot pushed her away, straightened, glaring at me. “What the fuck do you want?”
I stepped forward. “Why haven’t you asked about your wife? Your kids?”
He snorted. “That bitch’s kids aren’t mine. When I find her, I’ll make her watch while I kill them first.”
Rage detonated in my skull.
I moved before he could blink. Reached into my pocket, pulled the gun, flipped it, and smashed the butt across his face.
He hit the floor, blood spilling from his mouth.
The woman screamed again and ducked behind the curtains.
I stood over him, breathing hard. “I should kill you right now,” I said, voice like gravel. “But you’re not even worth the cleanup.”
He spat blood onto the marble.
I turned, walked out, slamming the door behind me.
I took a few seconds to fight the red wave of anger clouding my thoughts. Then I walked back to the ballroom.
I hoped Talciro would set up a meeting soon. I liked making money and as long as it didn't involve killing innocents, then I was up for it.
As soon as I stepped into the ballroom, my eyes scanned the room and locked onto Alina on the runway.
Why was she on the runway?
I watched as she modeled the same wine-stained dress.
What the hell?
People were shouting bids. I heard the numbers—$80,000… $120,000…
What the hell was going on?
I started moving toward the front, weaving through tables, ignoring stares. Then I saw the bidders left.
Victoria.
Her hand was raised, her lips twisted into a smug, venomous smile.
Analide was onstage, talking about how the dress was part of her new collection. Her most expensive piece. But because of the stain, it was being auctioned for half its price.
Alina stood tall, proud, and beautiful.
I could see the nerves in her eyes. The slight tremble in her fingers. But she stood there anyway, like a queen wearing her battle scars.
I clenched my jaw.
Then I heard Analide say something else. “All proceeds from this dress will be going to charity.”
That did it.
No way in hell I was letting Victoria win.
Not with Alina watching. Not when she’d endured everything tonight.
I raised my hand. “Two hundred thousand.”
Victoria’s head snapped toward me like I’d slapped her. Her mouth dropped open.
I stared at her coldly.
She raised her hand again. “Two-ten.”
I didn’t even blink. “Three hundred.”
The room gasped. I didn’t give a damn.
Victoria’s hand slowly dropped.
Analide looked stunned. “Sold,” she said, smiling. “To Mr. Luca Marino.”
Applause echoed around the room, but I only saw her. Alina.
Our eyes locked.
She looked shocked. Her lips parted slightly, her chest rising and falling fast.
And I knew.
That dress wasn’t going to any charity.
It was going home with her.
And so was I.