Chapter 7 - THE PRICE OF A DAUGHTER
The call ended before Luca could trace it.
Maya was moved underground.
The estate had an emergency bunker built during the worst years of the Costello wars.
Luca had always considered it excessive.
Not anymore.
Elena refused to leave Maya.
Tommy refused too.
"You're going home."
"No."
"Tommy."
"No."
"Your mother is waiting."
Tommy looked at the floor.
"My mom's boyfriend threw me out."
Elena froze.
"What?"
Tommy shrugged.
"He doesn't like me."
Maya took his hand.
Luca stared at the boy.
"How long?"
"A while."
"Where have you been sleeping?"
Tommy didn't answer.
Luca understood.
The abandoned equipment shed beside the baseball diamond.
Luca looked at Victor.
"Prepare another room."
Tommy looked up.
"What?"
"You're staying."
"I don't need charity."
"Good."
Luca wheeled closer.
"Because I'm not offering charity."
"What are you offering?"
"A bed."
"Sounds like charity."
"Then pay rent."
Tommy's eyes narrowed.
"How?"
"Keep Maya from doing stupid things."
Tommy considered it.
"That's a full-time job."
Maya punched him.
For one brief moment, Luca laughed.
Then an explosion rocked the estate.
The bunker lights flickered.
Elena screamed.
Victor drew his weapon.
"Stay here."
Luca grabbed his arm.
"No."
"Boss—"
"They're distracting us."
"From what?"
Luca looked toward Maya.
"Her."
The ventilation system suddenly stopped.
Victor's face changed.
"Gas."
Luca shouted.
"MASKS!"
A sweet smell entered the bunker.
Elena collapsed first.
Maya screamed.
"Mom!"
Luca tried to reach her.
His arms became heavy.
His vision blurred.
Then he saw Tommy crawling toward the emergency vent.
"What are you doing?"
"Opening it."
"Don't!"
Tommy ignored him.
He smashed the manual release.
Cold air rushed inside.
Victor reached the control panel.
The ventilation reversed.
Luca remained conscious.
Barely.
Then footsteps came from the corridor.
Armed men.
Victor fired.
Gunshots exploded.
Maya screamed.
Luca pulled her behind his wheelchair.
A masked man reached the doorway.
He aimed directly at Maya.
Luca saw the gun.
He saw his daughter.
He didn't think.
He stood.
No bars.
No therapist.
No assistance.
He simply stood.
May you like
Then threw himself between Maya and the bullet.
The gun fired.
