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“Then talk.”
Pierce shook his head. “Only if I’m promised she will be safe.”
My eyes steered to Lucca. He shook his head once. Lucca would never promise something he couldn’t deliver, even if it pained us.
“Done,” I blurted, feeling Lucca’s eyes on me. I had no problem making promises I had every intention of keeping, especially if it could help protect her.
“Davina’s my daughter.” Pierce’s words silenced the room, but they bounced in my skull as their blows repeatedly beat my temples. It didn’t end there. “I met Diana when I was still young and foolish, flashing my badge around New York in a dive bar with others from our division,” Pierce said. I wanted him to stop so my mind could catch up, but it was best to keep him talking. “We were celebrating one of the guy’s birthdays. But that night was different because I was completely captivated by the bartender. She didn’t even try to get anyone’s attention. Diana was just ... beautiful.” He laughed softly, stuck on memory lane, while I remained stuck knowing Davina’s father was before my eyes. “We spent that whole weekend together. Until I never saw her again.”
With a locked jaw, I waited for him to continue.
“Years passed, and as I grew in my career, so did my enemies. I guess that’s what happens when the streets are filled with mafiosos running around. But it was just me, so I had no one to put in danger.” Pierce looked past me. “Then one day I received a letter. It was worn and somehow, I knew it would change it all. Diana had sent it. She was dying. And in that letter, she mentioned Davina. Asked to please look after her once she passed, but to not contact her as she never wished to know about me.” His snicker was weighted with regret. “I had a daughter who no longer needed or cared to know who I was. But I cared. So, I did the only thing I could do, assure she was safe. But the Syndicate was growing tired of me, and I transferred here, leaving my trusted friend and Chief of NYPD, Ruben, to keep an eye on her while I was away.”
He was Davina’s father, and no matter how many times it replayed in my head, I couldn’t believe it.
“A few years later, even after I’d left to keep her safe, she became a target. All I knew was that she was admitted to the hospital after an accident, but Ruben had heard rumors that the Mafia was after her. So, I contacted her, mentioned I knew her mother and I could help her. She was desperate and soon she was in Miami.”
“But once the Mafia has a target on someone, it doesn’t disappear,” Lucca stated Pierce’s unsaid words. “What I don’t understand is why Ilias?”
“I’m not some cop from butt-fuck Egypt. I’m from New York, I know how these things work. Someone on the force had to be involved, so I followed my gut. It wasn’t easy, but after putting the pieces together, Ilias had the skill set and everything to lose. He was the only man for the job.”
“So, you just decided to throw your daughter to an affiliated man, for what?” I roared. “A small fucking ray of hope that I would keep her safe?”
“You did.” His eyes held mine without worry, and his aloof response disgusted me.
He put Davina in more danger than he would ever know because, if by some miracle we did come out of this alive, she would now be affiliated with us—with me—and that was even worse.
I shook in rage and my fist collided with his nose. I let the crunching sound of bone satisfy my thirst from taking a second swing.
Lucca placed his body in front of me. “Does anyone else know about Ilias?”
“No,” Pierce uttered. “They believe he is out on personal leave.”
Personal leave?
It was never a real assignment.
“Good. You are now owned by the Moretti Mafia.” Lucca’s words caught Pierce by surprise.
“You are not going to kill me?” Pierce said, confused, but more fearful now at the thought.
“I know.” Lucca stood over him and pulled Peirce’s hair back so he could see his eyes. “You know too much. But, now I know your weakness. Davina.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” Peirce shook his head in fear.
And for the first time since stepping in here, I could feel the chill and fear in Lucca’s words.
I had to trust my brother, but it became harder as he continued, “He doesn’t really have a say, Chief. I mean, I could kill her. Eye for an eye, that is… If New York doesn’t do it first.”
My heart stilled.
“No, no. I’ll do anything to keep her safe!” Pierce said in a rush.
“Great. Take a personal leave until your wounds heal,” Lucca sneered, and before he turned, his threat was spoken. “We’ll be in contact.”
Viktor opened the door for Lucca, and I followed. When the door shut behind us, I whispered loud enough to not be heard from the other side.
“You can’t just use her as a chess piece!”
