Chapter 59



Archer did not want to be responsible for any further damage to Luca's wife. He had already hit her on the head with his gun and the angry red mark on her forehead glared at him as he carried her towards the boat.

"Luca?" Daisy muttered.

"He's busy," Archer said.

"Where's Luca?' Daisy lifted her head from Archer's shoulders.

"Back on the beach," Archer said. "He told me to get you to the hospital."

"I'm...." Daisy shook her head. Archer feared she might throw up. He wanted to get her out of his arms as soon as possible. "I'm not leaving without him."

"I don't have time for this!" Archer snapped.

"Put me down!" Daisy commanded.

"Listen, Mrs. Silvano," Archer said, moving closer to the boat. "I can't let you go back there. If Luca sees you, he will kill me and then you."

"He's not going to kill anyone," Daisy's eyes fluttered.

Archer wanted to laugh thinking about how the man had single handedly shot down twelve of Angelo's men. He swore it would take days to get the blood out from under his fingernails.

"I don't want to stick around and test your theory," Archer said instead.

"Who are you?" Daisy asked as Archer sat her down on the bench on the boat.

"Archer," Archer smiled. "Archer Dempsey."

"Damn-sey?" Daisy asked.

Archer scowled, "Dempsey."

"Daaamn-sey," Daisy said.

"Are you stupid?" Archer asked. "Dempsey."

"That's what I'm saying!"

"No, no," Archer shook his head. "Dem. D-E-M sey."

"Damn-sey."

"I used to think so highly of Luca," Archer shook his head.

"Luca?" Daisy tried to sit up as if suddenly remembering where she was again.

"No, no, no," Archer pulled her back to her seat. "Stay. Sit."

"Get your hands off of me!" Daisy pushed.

"I'm not touching you!" Archer said, reaching for the keys to the boat in the ignition.

"Luca!" Daisy suddenly yelled. "LUCA!!!"

"He's probably bleeding to dead," Archer said. "You shot him, remember?"

"Why would you say that?" Daisy's eyes grew heavy with anger. She pushed to her feet and began to make her way towards the edge of the boat. "Luca!"

"Sit down!" Archer yelled.

"Motherfucker, I will drown you at sea," Daisy shoved him when he tried to reach for her shoulders. "Get the fuck away from me, Damnpee!"

"Archer!"

Frustrated, Archer looked over his shoulder to where Luca came out of the bungalow with Marco in handcuffs. His shit was soaked in blood and from the low lights on the dock, Archer could make out Marco's broken nose and the several cuts on his face. He could tell Luca had really let his anger out on him from the way the man limped and spit out blood as they walked closer and closer to the boat.

"What the hell?" Luca asked as they came to stand by the boat. "Why are you still here?"

"She wouldn't leave," Archer pointed to Daisy.

"She's drugged up and barely able to stand," Luca snapped. "You can't handle that?"

"I did not sign up for this, okay!" Archer snapped back. "I'm literally in Del Mare to attend a funeral. Not do all this!"

"Start the boat," Luca pushed Marco forward.

"Gladly," Archer jeered.

Luca pushed Marco onto the boat and grabbed him before he could get any closer to Daisy. He could have ended the man's life back on the beach but Luca wanted to make sure Marco understood just what he was being punished for. After he was through with Marco, no one would ever dare touch his family.

"Luca..." Daisy reached out with her trembling hand as she stared at Marco on the floor.

"He can't hurt you," Luca said, his insides shaking as he stepped closer to his wife and sat her down. "Close your eyes."

As Archer started the boat and pulled away from the island, Marco pulled himself up and sat back against the boat. He spit out yet another mouthful of blood before raising his bound hands to touch the cut above his eyebrow. Luca watched him wince in pain. It made the rage inside of his heart feel good.

"Daisy," Marco tried to catch his breath. "I love you."

Archer looked over his shoulder and caught the way Luca's eyes darkened. He could only imagine the fury Marco was calling onto himself. You don't tell a woman you love her in front of her husband.

"Shut your mouth before I rip your tongue out," Luca said, shielding Daisy behind his shoulder.

"I never wanted to hurt you," Marco continued like a madman. "Please, Daisy. Look at me. I've been yours since the moment I fist saw you. You belong with me, my love. I can't live without you. I'll forget about everything and we can start fresh."

Daisy shrunk back, moving as far away from the man as the boat would allow her.

"Stop. Talking," Luca warned.

"Fuck you, Silvano!" Marco spit. "You don't deserve her! You don't even know what you have! All you think about is that bitch Stella. Night and day, Stella, Stella, Stella. Did you really love just a nasty whore li-"

Daisy yelped in shock as Luca jumped to his feet and grabbed Marco by his throat. He slammed the man's head back against the railing and swung his fist against his jaw.

"Look at him, my love," Marco said, his eyes on Daisy. "He's still in love with Stella! He will never belong to you!"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Luca yelled, his fists beating faster than his heart.

Daisy watched in shock. She could hear the unmistakable sound of bones crushing under Luca's hands as he bangled Marco around the metal railing of the boat. Her arms felt like they were led as she tried to push herself towards Luca.

"Stop," Daisy managed to say. "Luca, stop."

Luca paused for a second but didn't release Marco. His breathing was uneven and his fists still pulled back.

"Please," Daisy felt her eyes water. "Stop."

Throwing Marco back as far away from them as he could, Luca rose to his feet and turned to face Daisy. His heart was coated with fear as he stared at her in the darkness. Her shoulders were hunched and her knuckles white from the way she gripped the edge of the bench. Luca swallowed the dry lump in his throat as he took a step towards her.

Don't believe him, he wanted to say with the breath left in his lungs. Don't believe a word he says.

"Daisy," Luca fell to his knees in front of her. He took her face into his hands and raised it to look into her eyes. "Don't believe him....I belong to you. I love you. You're my-"

"I don't believe him," Daisy shook her head. "He's crazy...."

Luca didn't want to let his guards down. He held her tightly as he searched his favorite eyes.

"I love you," Luca said. "I love you so much."

"I know," Daisy nodded. "I know."

Pushing herself off the bench, Daisy flew into Luca's arms. She buried her face in the crook of his shoulder and inhaled his scent. It was mixed in with the ocean and the scent of blood, reminding Daisy they weren't out of trouble just yet. When she pulled back, Archer killed the engine of the boat and they quickly made their way onto the docks.

Luca held Daisy firmly against his side. His wounded arm throbbed in pain, shooting stars into his eyes. But he didn't dare let go of Daisy.

"What do you want me to do with him?" Archer asked as he hurled a half conscious Marco out of the boat.

"Put him in the back of my car," Luca said.

"No," Daisy shook her head. "No. No. I don't want him to come with us!"

"Sunshi-"

"No!" Daisy shook her head once more. "No."

"I'll put him in my car," Archer said, seeing the way Daisy shivered from the fear of having to spend another second in Marco's presence.

"He's not going anywhere."

As Angelo's voice rang out, Luca's eyes shut. He cursed under his breath and pulled Daisy closer.

"Hand him over to me," Angelo demanded.

Luca slowly turned to face his father. He shook with rage as he stared at the man's dark face and empty eyes. The wind from the sea flew his blazer back as if he was some kind of a dark superhero, standing tall, looking down at Luca and Daisy with distaste in his mouth.

"He's coming with me," Luca said.

"No," Angelo said calmly. "You can't do as you please, Luca."

"Don't try to stop m-" Luca stepped forward.

"Marcus," Angelo looked towards his right.

Luca followed his gaze and froze as he spotted Gia and Theo over his father's shoulder. Marcus, one of his father's men, had a firm grip on Gia's upper arm as he hurled her towards the docks. Behind him, Daisy gasped as soon as she heard Theo cry out.

"You will do as I say," Angelo said once more.

"How did you..." Luca's eyes narrowed.

"How did I find them?" Angelo arched his brow. "Nothing happens in Del Mare without my knowledge."

"Let them go," Luca said. "You're angry with me. I didn't listen to you. They only did what I told them to."

"Wasn't that a choice they made?" Angelo asked.

Luca's eyes shifted towards his sister and son once more. Behind him, Daisy had stepped closer and her hands were turning ice cold.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Luca," Angelo said. "You've been so reckless and stupid. Did you really think I wouldn't find out about your rental family?"

Luca's jaw clenched. He knew Angelo would never overlook the disrespect he felt. Whatever happened, Luca knew he needed to keep his father's attention on himself.

"Let them go," he said slowly. "And then we can talk."

"We're beyond talking now," Angelo said. "It's time for you to learn a lesson. It's time for all of you to learn a lesson."

Daisy began to tremble in fear as Angelo pulled out his gun and Marcus jerked Gia forward into the light.

"I will not give my name to liars," Angelo raised his gun against Gia's temple.

"No, no. Stop!" Luca stepped forward, dropping Daisy's hand.

"Do you want to take her place?" Angelo asked.

"You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do!" Angelo snapped. "You disobeyed me. You and your sister. You've both stained our family name!"

"To hell with your name!" Luca yelled. "What good is your name if you have no family to share it with? Do you think we want this name? Do you think it's a blessing? Your name killed my mother! The weight of your name...your reputation...it all killed her slowly in front of my eyes!"

"And you're just like her!"

"I am!" Luca yelled. "I am just like my mother because she was my mother."

"Did you ever love her?" Gia suddenly asked. Her eyes were filled with tears that shimmered like stars. She held Theo to her chest as her gaze waited for her father.

"Love is an illness," Angelo said. "Your mother was not fit to be in her position. She herself was a liar and even after death, she left you two for me."

"So you'll kill us?" Gia asked. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," Angelo put his finger on the trigger.

"Stop, stop!" Luca moved forward again. "Giovanni and Armani won't let this slide. You can't do this."

"Who's going to stop me, Luca?" Angelo asked. "I can deal with the consequences after I bury you both in the ground."

Daisy's head swayed as Theo's cries rang in her ear. She wanted to run across the small distance separating them and pull her baby into her arms. But when more of Angelo's men stepped forward and knocked Luca down to his knees, Daisy feared she would never get to hold her baby.

"Let them go," Luca tried to negotiate. "I'll stay."

"No," Gia shook her head, her eyes watering. Marcus pushed her down to her knees.

"You too," someone said to Daisy as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch her," Luca said through his teeth as one of Angelo's men searched him and took his gun.

"You too, Archer," Angelo said, pointing to the young guy.

"Seriously?" Archer complained.

Daisy slowly got down on her knees. She couldn't look away from Luca as he glared at his father with rage and fire in his eyes. She wanted him to look at her. If they only had those few moments together, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him.

"Luca..." Daisy said his name quietly.

"What do you want?" Luca spoke to his father, not hearing Daisy. "Do you want us to leave Del Mare forever?"

"That's not far enough," Angelo turned to look at his son.

"You're insane," Luca said. "Everyone will know what you did."

"Will they?" Angelo chuckled. In the darkness, his eyes turned towards Marco. "Dead men can't speak."

Daisy wanted to burst into tears as she realized what Angelo was planning. He was going to kill them all and blame it on Marco. It was the perfect plan. Angelo would walk away as the grieving father....

"There was a struggle," Angelo narrated as he stepped closer to Luca.

No, Daisy turned ice cold.

"He took your wife and you went after him," Angelo raised his gun towards Luca's head.

"No, stop!" Gia cried. "Please, stop. Stop."

"It was a bloodbath," Angelo held the gun to Luca's forehead. "In a fit of rage, he killed my whole family..."

Daisy's brain shut off.

She felt a terrifying fear rise up inside of herself as she watched Angelo's hand go to the trigger.

Luca...her Luca...

He was on his knees, hands held high, eyes closed, jaw clenched. Ready to meet his death.

No, Daisy thought again.

Remembering the flare gun she had tucked into her back, Daisy pulled it out and fired.

Luca's eyes snapped open as Angelo shouted in pain, grabbing the side of his face where the spark from the flaming gun had struck him. Gia fell to the floor with Theo tucked into her arms to dodge the sparks as Luca knocked Angelo off his feet and grabbed the gun in his hand.

Daisy starred in shock. Her eyes wide open.

Archer reached back and confiscated the gun from the man behind him and shot Marcus and then the guy running towards Daisy. Luca jumped to his feet and held the gun to Angelo's head as the man kneeled on the floor, howling in pain as his face melted off.

"Luca, stop," Daisy spoke up.

Luca's hand shook. He hesitated as he glared down at his father on the floor.

"Don't," Daisy slowly got up. She knew there would be no return for him if he killed Angelo. He would carry around the burden for the rest of his life. "Don't do it."

Gia sat up, clutching Theo to her chest. As the little boy began to cry once more, Luca lowered the gun and turned his attention towards him. Daisy felt a fraction of the tension in my mind ease as Luca stepped away and headed towards Theo. She watched him take the little boy into his arms and kiss his forehead. The relief that flooded through both of them made Daisy's eyes water.

"He's more of a father than you'll ever be," She said to Angelo.

___________________________

One week later

"How's your arm?" Daisy asked as Luca sat down beside her on the hospital bed.

"Sore," Luca chuckled.

"I'm sorry."

"You can stop apologizing," Luca shook his head. "You saved my life...multiple times."

"I also shot you."

"I always knew that day would come," Luca said.

"What?" Daisy arched her brow.

Chuckling, Luca leaned forward and took hold of Daisy's chin. He pulled her closer as his gaze poured into her eyes.

"From the moment I set my eyes on you, I knew you would turn my world upside down, shoot me through the heart, and leave me begging you for more."

"You knew all that and you still didn't teach me how to fire a gun?" Daisy asked.

"I wasn't trying to shoot myself in the foot, darling," Luca smiled. "You have the temper of a very dangerous woman."

"It came in handy, didn't it?"

"It did," Luca laughed.

"Can I go home now?"

As Daisy watched, the smile slowly dipped from Luca's face.

"Please," she said. "I don't want to be here anymore. I feel fine."

"You're not fine," Luca shook his head. "The drugs were not good for you. The doctor said strict bed rest."

"Why can't I do that at home?"

"Daisy," Luca sighed. "Please. Think of the baby. You two went through a lot. I don't want to risk you two again."

"What about Gia?" Daisy frowned. "She needs to go see Daniel before it's too late."

"She's fine," Luca assured her. "She's not leaving Del Mare, Theo, or you until you're better."

"She doesn't have to stay."

"She wants to," Luca said. "She's worried about you and Theo. She's not going anywhere. And I'm not letting you go anywhere."

Daisy let out a small sigh and let her shoulders sink. She raised her hand with great difficulty and tucked her hair back. Luca watched her struggle, his face masked with worry and concern but his eyes filled with anger.

"I'm going to kill for what he did to you," he said quietly.

"Where....." Daisy's heart shook. "Where is he?"

"Not in this hospital," Luca said, looking away. "I have him somewhere far far away from you."

"And your dad?"

"Giovanni is taking care of that," Luca's jaw clenched as he stared out the window. "But I doubt he'll give us any more trouble. He's going to be in the hospital for a very long time. Thanks to you."

Daisy reached for Luca's hand. He was warm, just the way she liked it.

"What's on your mind?" Daisy asked.

"Nothing," Luca shook his head.

"Tell me," Daisy tugged on his hand.

A small tired smile came over Luca's face. He slowly turned to look at his wife. She still looked so pale. Her eyes were hollow and the mark on her forehead so prominent. He wanted to hold her against himself and never let her go.

"We're going to turn everything over to my father," Luca said.

"What?" Daisy frowned.

"All the family business," Luca nodded. "Everything that I have my name on. I'm giving it all back to him."

Daisy listened carefully, "Are you sure? I mean what if he tries to send someone after us again? How will we..."

"I've been talking to Giovanni and Armani," Luca said. "They're not very happy with my father right now. And they agree with my decision. I give everything back, we start a new life away from here. If my father ever tries anything again, they will have our back."

"Can we trust them?"

Luca nodded.

"Do you trust them?" Daisy asked.

"I do," Luca nodded. "I just...I just hope we're making the right choice."

"What makes you think we're not?"

"Just my memories of this place...." Luca said quietly.

"We're not giving up Del Mare, are we?" Daisy asked. "We can still come back here, right? I mean we still have Juliet cay."

"You still want to keep the island?" Luca asked, slightly surprised.

"Of course," Daisy said. "I'm not going to let a crazy man ruin one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten."

Luca smiled.

"I like Del Mare," Daisy said. "With you."

"Me too," Luca picked up her hand and kissed it. "It's going to be hard to leave this place."

"Maybe we don't have to," Daisy said. "If Giovanni and Armani have our back...we can still come back and visit, right?"

"We can," Luca nodded slowly. "But I don't know if I would be okay with that all of the time."

"I don't want us to turn our back on this place forever," Daisy said. "This is your home. All of your mother's memories are here. I don't want you to give that up."

Luca nodded slowly.

"Let's just take one day at a time," Daisy insisted.

"You're right," Luca sighed.

"I love you..."

Luca looked up. His eyes met Daisy and for the hundredth time, he felt his heart skip a few beats, leaving him breathless.

"I love you more than life," he said.



As you all know, I'm not really good with endings :/