THE SECOND ANIMAL

Luca looked at the train tickets, then down at his unconscious head of security. The anger in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, terrifying focus. He was no longer the grieving uncle; he was the Boss.

“Tie him to the radiator,” Luca commanded, tossing me a pair of zip-ties from his pocket. “And do it tight.”

While I bound Marco’s hands and feet, Luca knelt beside Leo. The little boy was shaking, clutching the hem of the oversized t-shirt.

“You’re doing great, Leo,” Luca said softly, his massive hand gently resting on the boy’s shoulder. “I promise you, nobody is ever going to hurt you again.”

Luca stood up and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He hit a speed dial number.

“Antonio. Lock down the estate,” Luca ordered, his voice echoing in the quiet room. “Nobody gets in or out. Gather the men in the main hall. We have a rat problem.”

He hung up and turned to me.

“Where is Vanessa?” I asked, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“She’s in the study. Unconscious,” Luca said flatly, glancing at the blood on his knuckles. “She didn't want to answer my questions about the boy. She’s going to wake up with a massive headache. But she didn't say a word about a vault heist.”

“Marco said her crew is already inside the perimeter,” I said, panic rising. “And he said they have my mother, Luca. My mother hid Leo for five years. Vanessa’s men have her to ensure Marco finished the job.”

Luca’s expression softened for a fraction of a second when he looked at me.

“Emma, I swear to you on my brother’s grave, your mother will not be harmed. I owe her my nephew’s life. I owe you for saving him tonight.”

He reached into Marco’s pockets, pulling out a heavy ring of keys and a sleek silver keycard.

Luca stared at the silver card.

“The vault,” Luca murmured. “It’s in the sub-basement. Only Marco and I have access. If they’re making a move tonight, they need to bypass the biometric scanners.”

Suddenly, Marco groaned. His eyes fluttered open, wincing at the pain in his head. He looked up at Luca, and all the color drained from his face.

“Boss,” Marco rasped, pulling against the zip-ties. “Boss, let me explain—”

Luca crossed the room in two strides. He grabbed Marco by the throat, pinning him against the cast-iron radiator.

“Where is her mother, Marco?” Luca’s voice was a low, deadly rumble.

Marco gagged, struggling for air. “I don’t know! Vanessa’s men... they took her to a secondary location. A warehouse by the docks. Pier 4.”

Luca released his grip slightly. “How many men are hitting the vault?”

“Twelve,” Marco coughed. “Bellini’s best hitters. They came in posing as the catering staff. They’re armed with automatic weapons. Boss, you have to let me go. If I don't check in with Vanessa’s father in ten minutes, they kill the old woman.”

Luca stared at him for a long moment. Then, he stood up.

“Emma,” Luca said, turning to me. “Take Leo. Take the dog. There is a panic room built behind the bookcase in this suite. Get inside, lock the heavy door, and do not open it for anyone but me.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, grabbing Leo’s hand.

“I’m going to the vault to kill twelve men,” Luca said casually, as if he were discussing the weather. “Then I am going to the docks to get your mother.”

He turned to leave, but Bruno suddenly trotted over to the unconscious Marco’s jacket, which had been discarded on the floor during the struggle.

The dog sniffed the pocket, let out a sharp bark, and dragged the jacket toward Luca.

Luca reached into the pocket and pulled out a folded piece of heavy parchment paper. He opened it, and his jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth would crack.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s a transfer deed,” Luca said, his voice laced with pure venom. “To the Moretti family vineyards in Door County. The only legitimate, clean property my father ever owned. The place I planned to retire.”

He looked at Marco.

“Vanessa didn't just want the bonds,” Luca realized. “She forced Marco to forge my signature to steal the only legal escape route I had left.”

But Marco shook his head violently.

“I didn't forge it, Boss,” Marco choked out. “Look at the date.”

Luca looked at the bottom of the document. He went completely pale.

“It’s dated five years ago,” Marco said quietly. “Your father didn't leave the vineyard to you, Luca. He knew you were too deep in the life.”