Chapter 56

Chapter 56
LUCA'S POV

CRANK…!!!

A loud, metallic creak pierced the air as the heavy gates groaned and slowly swung open. The sound alone was enough to alert the house that something urgent, something violent…was returning. Almost immediately, the screech of tires against concrete filled the compound, echoing like a warning siren. The entire convoy stormed in, headlights slicing through the dusk, engines growling like restless beasts.

My breathing was uneven, shallow. My shoulder throbbed with each heartbeat, the pain sharpening with every bump in the road. As the vehicles came to an abrupt halt, doors flung open and several of my men rushed to my side, eyes widened in horror at the sight of my blood-stained shirt and pale face.

"Boss, we got you," one said firmly as they helped me out of the car.

I leaned into their arms for a brief moment, too brief. My pride screamed louder than the wound in my shoulder. I couldn’t show weakness. Not in front of them.

“Quickly… get the first aid box…” I muttered, my voice dry, barely more than a whisper. My throat burned with the weight of anger, disappointment, and pain. I shrugged off their grips with more force than I should’ve used, nearly stumbling in the process.

They hesitated, their expressions flickering with concern, but I didn’t pause to analyze their emotions. I didn’t need sympathy. I needed space. I needed solitude.

“Sir…” a voice called out behind me.

I raised one hand, silencing any questions that might follow.

The hallway felt longer than usual as I walked alone, hand clutching the torn fabric around my injury. My palm pressed down firmly on the wound, but the warmth of the blood soaking through was a haunting reminder that this pain wasn’t going anywhere. Each step was laced with agony. Silent groans slipped from my clenched teeth as I made it to the door of my office.

I shoved the door open and closed it behind me, leaning my weight against it for a second longer than I should have. Then I pushed forward, staggering towards the polished desk, where years of plans and power plays had been laid. None of that mattered now. My hand trembled as I reached for the edge of the desk, steadying myself, dragging my body around to the chair. I collapsed into it with a shuddering breath.

I winced as I began unbuttoning my shirt, each movement another flash of pain. Blood had soaked through the fabric, making it cling to my skin. Every tug felt like peeling away raw flesh.

Finally, I slipped the shirt off, dropping it beside me in a crumpled, crimson-stained heap. My skin glistened with sweat. My chest heaved. The bullet was still lodged beneath the collarbone, and it pulsed with my heartbeat, mocking me.

A double knock sounded on the door.

I didn’t respond.

The door opened and one of my men entered, carrying the first aid box like it was some sacred item.

“Sir, here’s the kit… Should I call for a nurse?” His voice was tentative, unsure.

I didn’t look up. “Drop the box and leave,” I said, low and flat.

He froze for a moment. The silence stretched between us.

“Okay, sir.” He set the box down gently on the corner of my desk and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

The second the door sealed, I exhaled shakily. The silence of the room returned. Heavy, and unforgiving. The air smelled like blood and sweat and pain. I stayed still for a moment, collecting my thoughts, my strength, whatever was left of it.

I reached for the first aid box and opened it. Bandages, tweezers, surgical scissors, antiseptic, gloves, a needle and thread… and a small bottle of whiskey. God bless my paranoia.

“Damn… this isn’t gonna be funny,” I muttered under my breath. A hollow chuckle escaped me, dry, bitter. Nothing about this was funny, but somehow, laughter felt like the only shield I had left against the chaos storming inside my head.

I poured whiskey over the tweezers and onto the wound. The sting hit instantly.

“ARRRGHHH… shittt… That son of a bitch…” I cursed, my body trembling from the sheer force of pain. My muscles seized. My eyes welled up with unshed tears, but I blinked them away violently.

I couldn’t cry. Not over this. Not because of him.

I grabbed the tweezers, hands shaking. I had seen this done before, hell, I’d done it once before too. But that didn’t make it easier. I took another long breath, muttering to myself, “Okay, Luca… You got this…”

I bit down on the edge of my inner cheek as I pressed the tweezers into the open wound. The metal sliced through flesh with slow resistance. My vision flickered, pain shooting through my nerves like lightning.

“Focus, Luca…” I growled, my jaw clenched so tight it felt like my teeth might snap. Sweat dripped down my forehead, blurring into my eyes.

The tweezers clinked against something hard. I paused. There. The bullet.

I maneuvered carefully, teeth grinding together, sweat pouring down my chest as I tightened my grip and slowly, so slowly, pulled the bullet free. My breath caught as it came out, a sharp gasp forcing its way from my lungs. The small piece of metal dropped onto the tray with a lifeless clink.

“Fuck…” I whispered, staring at it. It sat there, blood-stained and mocking.

I was bleeding heavily now. I ripped open a packet of gauze and pressed it against the wound, applying pressure as best I could, gritting against the pain. My whole arm felt like it was burning, my body barely able to keep up.

I was alive. Barely. But I was alive. And that meant the game wasn’t over.

As for Sandro…

He’d made his move. Shot me like a coward and ran, but he should’ve known better. A wounded lion doesn’t forget. It simply waits.

“I’ll come back for you… I will… I swear on my life,” I whispered aloud, each word laced with venom, as though speaking it gave me strength.

My eyes drifted downward, locking onto the puddle of blood on the floor, on my skin, on my desk. Everything was red.

“Shit…”

Suddenly, the room began to blur.

I blinked, but it didn’t help. My body was going numb, the adrenaline fading. My vision dimmed at the edges. My limbs grew heavier. My head lolled to one side.

I tried to sit up straighter… but my body wouldn’t obey.

The world began to fade, my eye lids growing heavy..

And then…

Darkness.