Luca's heart nearly stopped. He opened his mouth, desperate to find the right words. "Noo! Noo! I will speak."
"So tell us, who sent you?" The boss asked.
"I... I was sent by Mr. Cruz."
The boss raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Cruz? Now, that's interesting."
He glanced at his men, then back at Luca. "And what exactly did Mr. Cruz wants to go with you?"
Luca hesitated, his mind racing. "He... He asked me to retrieve something for him. A suitcase. That's all."
The boss chuckled coldly.
"A suitcase?" He shook his head, amusement flickering across his face. "Tell me, why should I believe you?"
Luca swallowed hard. "It's the truth. I just needed the money... to pay for my sister's medical bills. That's the only reason I took the offer."
The boss stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Then, he smirked. "Ah, so you're desperate. That makes you useful."
Luca blinked in confusion. "Useful?"
"Oh yes," the boss said, circling him like a predator. "I've been waiting for the right opportunity to get back at Cruz. Maybe you're just the pawn I need."
Luca's stomach twisted with dread. "No... I'm not, I'm not here to get involved in anything. I just want to help my sister."
The boss stopped in front of him, his smile fading. "Do you really think I care about your sister? You're in this now, kid, whether you like it or not."
One of the men stepped forward. "Should we prepare him to go undercover?"
Luca's eyes widened in panic. "No, please. I, I can't do that. I'm not a part of this. I don't want any trouble, I swear. I just need the money."
The boss looked him over again, his eyes narrowing. "You don't have the heart for this, do you?"
Luca shook his head, desperation clawing at him. "Please... I'll leave. I won't say anything to anyone. Just let me go."
The boss tilted his head, considering for a moment. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he signaled to his men. "Dispose of him. I don't have time for weaklings."
Luca's blood ran cold as the men grabbed him again, dragging him toward the door. "No! Please! I'll disappear, I swear! I won't cross your path again!"
The boss's voice followed him as they pulled him out of the room. "You better not. Because if you do, I won't hesitate to end you myself."
Luca's heart pounded in his chest as they dragged him into the darkness of the warehouse, and left him on the street.
Luca trudged back to Mr. Cruz's estate. When he got there Mr. Cruz opened the door.
"Where is it?" Mr. Cruz asked.
Luca hesitated, his throat dry.
"I... I lost it," he finally admitted.
Mr. Cruz's hand froze, and he slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing into cold slits. "You what?"
"I, there was a problem," Luca stammered, taking a step forward. "I can explain. There were these men—"
"Get out."
The words hit him like a slap, sharp and unexpected. Luca blinked in disbelief.
"Mr. Cruz, please, I just need a minute to explain—"
"Get. Out," Mr. Cruz repeated.
"Please, I need the money," Luca begged, desperation creeping into his voice. His hands raised as if to plead for mercy. "You don't understand, my sister—"
Mr. Cruz shot to his feet, slamming his fist down on the desk. "I said get out!"
He knew there was no reasoning with Mr. Cruz now. His chances had gone. Numbly, he turned and walked toward the door, his heart rising in his chest.
Once outside, Luca headed for the hospital.
When he arrived at her room, the sight of her broke her. She lay pale and still in bed.
"Rosa..." Luca whispered, standing by her bedside. He reached out, taking her hand gently in his.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Luca... You came."
"Of course I did," Luca said, forcing a smile even though his heart was breaking. "I'll always come."
She tried to smile back, but it faltered. "How... how did it go?" she asked.
Luca hesitated. He didn't want to burden her with the truth, not in her condition. But lying felt impossible. "I lost my job,"
Rosa squeezed his hand. "It's okay, Luca. You've done so much already."
"It's not enough," he said. "I'm going to fix this. I'll find a way. I'll get the money we need."
Rosa shook her head slightly. "You don't have to..."
"I will," Luca said. "I'm not giving up on you. I'll do whatever it takes."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his heart heavy as he stood up.
Without another word, Luca left the hospital and made his way to the only place he could think of, the alley where his old friend would be. If anyone could help him, it would be Tony, a man who had his own share of shady dealings and who owed Luca a favor from years ago.
Luca spotted his friend in the alley.
"Tony?" Luca called out.
"Luca? What the hell are you doing here?" Tony asked.
"I want a job."
Tony raised an eyebrow, flicking his cigarette into the gutter. "Job?
Last I heard, you were keeping out of trouble."
"I was," Luca said, running a hand through his hair. "But things have changed. I took a job... a job that went south, and now I need money, fast. It's for my sister. She's in the hospital, and I can't pay her bills."
Tony stared at him for a long moment. "And you thought I'd be able to help with that by offering you a job?"
"Please, Tony," Luca pleaded. "I'm out of options. I wouldn't come to you if I didn't have to."
Tony sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "You know this isn't my thing anymore, Luca. I've been trying to keep my head down."
"I know," Luca said quickly. "But I'm desperate. I need something, anything."
For a moment, Tony didn't say anything, just stared at the ground, deep in thought. Then, finally, he looked back up at Luca, his eyes softened just a little. "I don't like this, Luca. But... I owe you. I'll see what I can do."
Luca let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "Thank you, Tony. I won't forget this."
"You better not," Tony muttered, already reaching for his phone to make a call.