Luca: The Italian's Secret (The Wallflower's Series Book 2) Read online

  T.C. CLARK

  Luca: The Italian’s Secret

  First published by The Invisible Writer’s Press in 2018

  Copyright © T.C. Clark, 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  T.C. Clark asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  T.C. Clark has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

  Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

  First edition

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  The Wallflowers Series

  Nikos: The Greek’s Mistress September 2018

  Luca: The Italian’s Secret October 2018

  Dmitri: The Russian’s Christmas Baby November 2018

  Julian: The Fighter’s Gift December 2018

  Contents

  Acknowledgement

  Somebody that I used to know...

  You Outta Know...

  When a man loves a woman...

  Milkshake...

  Acknowledgement

  I’d like to thank all of you readers for giving this book a chance. I hope you enjoy it :)

  One

  Somebody that I used to know...

  Luca Rossi tossed a folder on the table and poured himself a shot of whiskey. He’d granted Ada Wright one day to get her Greek under control. If Nikos Stravanos thought he was weak, then he was a fool. He’d created his Tech business on his own with a heavy dose of street smarts and a lot of hard work. He wouldn’t allow any harm to come to it.

  As much as he liked Ada he knew he was waging a losing war for her. She still had feelings for her ex. But while he was willing to give her up. His feelings for her wouldn’t stop him from dismantling Nikos company as payback for fucking with his.

  The private company plane was decorated with luxury in mind. The oversized plush leather seats offered comfort to the weary traveler. It was one of many examples of how far he’d come. His childhood although filled with love, had left him with a hunger for more. He’d wanted power and money, and he’d fought his way through the corporate world until he had all that he desired.

  He stood stretching his back ignoring the flirty eyes of the stewardess. He didn’t know how she got assigned to his private plane but this was the last time she would fly with his crew.

  He didn’t have time for anything she was offering with her subtle innuendos and accidental intimate touches. He needed to focus on the task at hand. He had a family to protect and the lives of his employees to ensure.

  Nikos made a mistake coming after him. First, he would meet with the business analyst who found the discrepancy and offer him or her a permanent job. Apparently that person was on contract to his company.

  According to his secretary, Bryan one of their chief executives tried to take the credit for the find, but she’d quickly realized he was lying when he couldn’t answer a few pointed questions.

  Luca smiled, he knew Mrs. Howell ripped the young man apart. She wasn’t one who tolerated liars. She’d bullied the truth out of him; and she now had the real person who’d discovered the attempted takeover coming into the office.

  He would deal with this first and then he would a form a plan of attack. The light flashed just above his head requesting that he ready himself for their arrival. He took his seat and refastened his the belt. Through the small side window his eyes searched the runway for his driver.

  He could see Rico sitting on the tarmac in the company car probably listening to another Spanish soap opera. He should never have shown him how to work that damn phone. During the car ride, he would be bombarded with Rico’s retelling of what surprises the latest episode held. He couldn’t deny him though, he was not just an employee, but a valued friend.

  Moving in the circles he did now sometimes made him forget where he came from. But this upcoming war with a fellow businessman reminded him that he was once a Saccone. If Ada couldn’t figure out how to stop the angry Greek, then he would take pleasure in teaching him a lesson. He picked up his suitcase and waited patiently for the door to open. He was home now, and it was time to get to work.

  * * *

  Most people are afraid to die. But, not Mina… not anymore. It was too commonplace in her life to bring about fear. Though being unafraid did not stop the sadness which invaded her mind. Her father had passed away when she was young and she’d lost her mother a year ago to heart disease. So now here she was alone tangling with Bob, again.

  Bob was an asshole… a reoccurring asshole that had yet to be defeated by surgery or radiation. She’d went to war with him twice before. Each time it got harder to walk away without battle scars. Her last fight had taken away her fertility. That blow hurt the most. Even now she refused to examine the feelings surrounding her inability to have children too closely. Afraid that the pain would be just too much to bear.

  Her birthday was just a few days a way and instead of planning a dirty thirty birthday party, she was trying to figure out how Bob the tumor came back. She clasped her hands together and focused on keeping a calm face while her friend Aidan delivered the horrible news.

  She knew this was a difficult task for him. Beads of sweat dusted his light brown skin and his expression was one of grave concern. Yet his voice didn’t waver… nor did the sincerity in his eyes. She could tell how hard it was for him to remain upbeat and positive.

  He was such a handsome man drawing the envious eyes of others as he went about his life. She watched as he tried to keep his composure as he spoke. They’d met during her second encounter with the grim reaper. Their friendship had been instant and easy. Sometimes she thought he wanted more, but he refused to push her. She was thankful for that because the thought of beginning another relationship scared her. As her mother used to say, “If you get burned twice, grow up and cut off the stove.”

  As her doctor their friendship was frowned upon. But that didn’t keep them apart. There was nothing like a persistent tumor to make a person throw caution to the wind. He was having a hard time right now. His other doctor friends told him not to grow close to his patients, especially ones who tangled with death as often as she did. But he’d ignored that advice, and she was glad he did. It was a blessing to know him.

  “It’s a grade 2 ependymal tumor and luckily we caught it now. I think our best option is to schedule your surgery sometime next week, the location is tricky but I believe, we can get it.” He said his eyes scanning the papers in his hand.

  “Aidan…” She started to interrupt, but he was in full doctor mode.

  “Obviousl
y, once the surgery is complete, I will set up a release plan. I’ll try to limit the radiation, but I won’t know the scope of the damage until I get in there. But first we need to run a few more scans. I’ve called in a colleague from Harvard who has worked cases similar to this and he’s sending me over some studies to review.”

  “Stop Aidan…” She tried again.

  “I know it’s a lot but I’ve already spoken with another neurosurgeon and we’ve cross examined all of your records. I have a friend at Emory who wants to look at them as well, she’s doing a study on patients that have experienced multiple brain tumors. She has an advanced surgical technique that could help to reduce your chance of getting this type of tumor again. I’m not sure if I can get her to come…but I’m going to try.”

  “Aidan, I’m not scheduling the surgery yet.” She said when he stopped to take a breath.

  “Mina, you have too. We can’t waste time with this.” He commanded shutting her down. He was expecting this reaction. The last tumor had been rough. He knew she was still traumatized from the experience, but they had to address this new one now.

  “We need to decide on the best day. You should be close to closing your contract with Rossi IT. Afterwards, we can begin the process. Surgery now increases our chance for successfully removing the tumor before it can spread to other areas. ” He responded, his intelligent eyes daring her to disagree.

  He’d always liked Mina. If he was honest he more than liked her. But he respected her choice to remain alone. Instead of lovers they’d become friends. Spending their weekends together watching movies and playing board games. He wasn’t about to lose her now.

  “I’m not doing it. I knew when the headaches and nausea came back what this was. I spent the last week coming to terms with it. I will get the surgery but only when I return from my trip. I plan on seeing the world for the next two months and making as many memories as I can.”

  “Mina, I know you’re scared, but this is not something you can just put off.” He stood and picked up his phone to see if anyone else had contacted him about her case.

  “I’ve been down this road twice before and I know it’s serious. But I’m not going to keep putting off my life. I’ve already paid for the tickets and it is my choice. You are one of my closest friends and I love you, but you are not changing my mind.”

  “Mina, you know better than anyone else how quickly a Grade 2 can progress to a Grade 3. This is not the time to runaway.” He slammed the phone down and turned back to face her.

  “I know that. I’ve done years worth of research on brain tumors but that does not change the fact that Bob keeps coming back. We both know each surgery makes it more complicated for a surgeon to renter. And now I’ve had two.”

  “All the more reason to do this now!” He snapped angrily losing his temper. He knew she deserved time to decide for herself, but that wasn’t an option now.

  She watched him closely. He looked like The Rock standing at well over six feet. The ladies on the staff always asked her awkward questions about him. She didn’t know why she couldn’t love this man with his gentle smile and caring heart. Instead she had wasted her love on an angry Italian boy with the temperament of a bull.

  “This is my choice. I’ve lived my life waiting for the next shoe to drop and I’m done,” She said softly aware that Aidan was getting genuinely upset. They had become friends quickly connecting over their African heritage.

  Both of their fathers were from Ethiopia and that had created a unique bond. They’d grown closer over the last year, often spending holidays celebrating together. She knew her decision was going to upset him. She tried to take his hand, to offer him comfort, but he snatched it away.

  He stood and walked over to the window that graced one side of his corner office. He was angry at her for being ridiculous and at himself for refusing to acknowledge that she had a right to do what she wanted. He couldn’t just stand back and watch his friend disappear.

  “Mina I’m scheduling your appointment for 700 am, next Tuesday. You will be there even if I have to drag you in myself. I can promise you that.” He said harshly.

  She walked over to him. His eyes displayed indomitable strength. While hers reflected gentle defiance. She knew this was breaking his heart, and she didn’t have the words to stop it. But she’d already decided, and she would not back down now.

  “Aidan thank you for everything. I promise, I will be back in two months ready for the surgery. I need this time for me… I need these memories for me and no one will stand in my way, not even you.” She leaned in and kissed him quickly on the cheek, disappearing from the room with the quiet stealth of a ninja.

  She didn’t give him a chance to stop her. She half ran to the stairs and made it back to her car quickly. Once she was inside her old Ford Explorer she let out a weary breath. She started her cranky car and winced as it made some interesting noises. Even with its issues she was glad she’d chosen to keep it and save up money instead.

  She knew their conversation was far from over. Aidan wasn’t a man that gave up and he believed with every fiber of his being she needed the surgery now. He didn’t understand. No one could. When your time is limited you can’t wait for after. You have to do things now. She had promised herself a tour of Europe and for once she would let herself do what she wanted. Bob be damned.

  * * *

  Mina walked up to the huge corporate building with an expression that conveyed delighted shock. She knew she should try to hide her awe, but alas she was not into playing things down. The enormous sprawling sky-rise looked like a building corporate espionage happened in. To say it impressed her would be an understatement.

  She worked from home as a business analyst under an air tight contract with Rossi technology and this was the first time she’d been summoned to their downtown office.

  She knew the reclusive CEO was only 34 years old. Building an empire this big was an accomplishment that most people would never see in their lifetime. She looked at herself in the shiny glass windows and grimaced. Her Payless pumps and Ross Suit looked out of place among the sea of Armani and Gucci.

  She smiled wryly shaking away the negative comparison thoughts. She didn’t have time to worry about that kind of stuff now. She needed to stay focused and do her job. She’d discovered a small problem with a company called Etos. Holdings.

  They were undercutting Rossi IT on bids for important projects and they’d purchased a variety of small stocks in the company. From all the information she’d gathered it was clear Etos was gunning for them.

  She made her way through security slowly following their strict protocols. They were very thorough with their checks. After passing three guards she made it to the CEO’s conference room. Two people were standing off to the side of the door with worried expressions.

  Thankfully, she would only have to do this for a little longer. Her contract ended today. In fact, she could have left all of this information for the next analyst to deal with, but she liked to close her projects herself and this problem was too important to ignore. Also, her manager had made it clear that the CEO wanted to speak to her himself.

  “Mrs. Smith.” A voice with a hint of the South called from just over her shoulder. When she turned, she encountered a person who could only be described as a deaconess in a Baptist church. She had graying hair and a pristine navy blue suit.

  Her face sent the other people running in the opposite direction. Her dark brown skin held only the slightest of wrinkles. The narrowing of her eyes said she was a woman who didn’t allow for any foolishness.

  “You walk too fast,” She accused, taking a deep breath when she finally caught up to the young woman.

  “I’m Sorry?” Okay she was exactly like the ladies from her church.

  “Mr. Rossi wants you upstairs.” She said pivoting and heading in the opposite direction. She wore a badge that said Eloise Howell. Okay, so she was the famous secretary everyone had warned her about.

  She followed her up
the stairs to the next floor. It was times like this that she missed her small town in Georgia. She slowed her steps as they entered the CEO’s office. It felt expensive. Like, “gold faucets in the bathroom,” expensive.

  She glided over the soft cream carpet. The secretary stopped at a small desk and reached under it, pulling out dark brown leather flats. She removed her shoes revealing her mangled feet with a sigh of relief. A sigh that Mina understood to the bottom of her soul and slipped on the comfortable-looking shoes with a grin.

  “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier, my feet aren’t what they used to be. Trying to get around in these Manolo Blahniks feels like torture sometimes. Would you like something to drink while you wait?” She moved throughout the room gathering documents and replacing folders as she talked. Somehow Mina knew she’d decorated this outer office, it felt warm and inviting and very different to the rest of the building.

  “No, I’m fine.” She said moving to stand by her desk, so she could whisper her next question.

  “Does Mr. Rossi make you wear high heels when you walk around the building?” Hopefully he wasn’t the male version of Meryl Streep from Devil’s Wear Prada. She knew she wouldn’t pass a fashion test.

  “You think Luca makes me wear high heels?” She laughed the sound rich in the quiet room.

  “Honey, no I’m just trying to keep up with the young girls around here. Don’t think because my hair is gray I’m out the game.”

  Mina smiled her first genuine smile in weeks. “I don’t need anything but get something strong for Mr. Rossi. I’m about to give him some bad news.”

  “A good pot of coffee… bad news or a strong shot of whiskey bad news?” Mrs. Howell said.

  She was sure Mina didn’t know they’d already reviewed her notes and had a team of people working on implementing the recommendations she submitted. The poor girl probably thought this meeting would be hell.