Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

4. Luca

Chapter 4

Luca

“ S o, do you think you can handle it, Luca?” Vincenzo asks from the head of the table, his brown eyes hard on mine.

I shrug, my tone sarcastic when I answer. “I know it may not seem like it, but I am quite capable of managing the casino floor. My head is not what it used to be, but I think I got it.”

Vincenzo’s eyes narrow in on me. “Just let me know if you have any problems,” he hisses. “Benito will be your second in command for now. Just make sure no one is counting cards or stealing from us. If you find anyone breaking the rules...” he trails off, his face screwing up in anger. “Then you know what to do. Bring them to the fucking basement and show them exactly why they don’t fuck with our casino.”

Scrubbing a palm across my jaw, I stare at him with a bored expression. For the past month, it's been much of the same. Relearning the ropes of the family business and my life. Vincenzo Conti, I have been told, was, is , my best friend. We grew up together, our families the biggest names in Las Vegas. My papà, Mattia Mancini, along with Vincenzo and Caterina’s father, Edoardo Conti were killed in a shootout inside our casino over six years ago. During the aftermath of their deaths, Vincenzo and I stepped into their places, taking over the family business. The Palazzo Hotel and Casino Resort.

Our fathers built the business together as equal partners, making it the most luxurious and highest earning hotel in Las Vegas. Both Vincenzo and I were groomed from a young age to take over, and while I have no recollection of my previous role here, Vincenzo has filled in the blanks. I have always worked the casino floor, making sure everything runs smoothly and that patrons aren't committing fraud or anything else against us. And if they are… Well, let’s just say it doesn’t end well for them.

“Got it,” I tell him coolly.

Vincenzo sighs, shaking his head, his gaze never leaving mine when he speaks. “Everyone out but Luca.” The other men in the large boardroom file out, leaving us alone. Vincenzo’s jaw clenches as he pierces me with a look. “You need to get your head in the game, Luca. You've had enough time to come to terms with what happened, and I have spent the best part of a month teaching you everything from the beginning.”

I glower. Though this man is supposed to be my best friend, I don’t feel any sort of connection to him. In fact, he is a fucking asshole.

“I’m fucking trying, Vincenzo,” I bark.

“Well, try harder,” he snaps out before his tone softens. “And while I have got you, Caterina called me. She is worried about you.”

Fucking Cat. Why can’t she just keep her mouth shut instead of running to her brother for every little thing.

“She doesn’t need to worry. I am fine,” I retort.

His eyes narrow. “So why aren't you fucking her? If everything is fine as you say, why is she telling me differently? Why won’t you touch her? I fucking hate to say it, despise the thought of you and my sister fucking, but before all this shit went down you two were at it like rabbits.”

My jaw tightens in anger. Through clenched teeth, I grate out, “Why the fuck is she talking to you about this? And how the hell do you know about our past sex life?”

“Because I caught you two at it many a time in your fucking office. And you won't listen to her when she tries to talk to you.” He runs a hand through his hair, inhaling a calming breath. “You were going to start a family. Why isn’t Caterina pregnant yet?” he eyes me accusingly.

I watch him blankly, tension radiating through my body. How can I tell Vincenzo that I have no desire to fuck his sister or have a child with her. Things may have been different before, with the old Luca. But the new Luca, the one who looks at these people as strangers no matter what they tell me, doesn't want those things. Right now, I feel like I'm living a life that is not mine. That since the moment I woke up, there is nothing recognizable about any of this. My life feels like a lie. I feel like a fraud. But how do I explain that to them?

Where do I even start with telling Vincenzo or Caterina how I feel? Surely, they will think I'm crazy and have me locked up in the nearest psych hospital. And I can't even blame them. Despite trying to immerse myself back in my world, nothing makes sense. I am constantly on edge. As if I am always two seconds away from tipping over into the abyss of insanity. Into oblivion, where the darkness can swallow me whole and I no longer have to deal with the constant turmoil and confusion that now resides inside of me.

My gaze drifts to the large window where I catch sight of my reflection. Tired. Weary. Confusion. It all stares back at me, clawing at my skin. Panic flares inside me, threatening to take over. I pull at my tie, loosening it, and before I have a full-blown anxiety attack, I rise out of my chair, inhaling and exhaling as I pace the room. No matter how many times I breathe in, it’s as if I can’t get enough air into my lungs, and I feel like the walls are closing in on me. Fuck. I’m having an anxiety attack. Did I have these before or is it a new development since my accident?

Vincenzo calls my name, bringing me out of my panic, but I ignore him. Blood rushes in my ear, my body heating. I need to get out of here. Striding to the door, I pull it open, ready to step outside, but a hand gripping my shoulder has me pausing.

Glancing back with unfocused eyes, I find Vincenzo searching my face. Concern with a hint of annoyance mars his features as he barks my name. “Luca?”

His harsh voice snaps me out of my agitation. I shrug his hand off me, turning around to face him so he can feel the full force of my glower. “I’m going to the casino floor. This is my business as much as it is yours and it’s time I stepped in properly.”

He shoots me a glare, his face reddening with rage. With narrowed eyes he watches me closely, searching my face. For what, I’m not sure. Sighing, Vincenzo takes a step back.

“And Caterina?” he prompts.

“She shouldn't be talking to you about our private life,” I growl.

“Well, she did. Caterina is my sister, I love her and want the best for her. You will give her what she wants and put a baby inside her.”

I swallow down the bile rising in my throat at the thought of doing that. Of the thought of putting my cock anywhere near her pussy. For some reason, it feels so fucking wrong, and I don’t know why. Surely, I should want these things with my wife?

Shooting him a look that would make most men wither, I growl out, “That is not up to you Vincenzo. Stay out of my fucking business.”

And with that, I walk out of the room, over this bullshit.