The De Luca Heir

5: Questions

The screech of tires echoed through the street as another black car emerged from the shadows, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Anthony recognized it instantly—it was the same car that had been following him earlier.

The vehicle swerved between Jake’s motorcycle and the SUV, blocking Felix’s men from advancing any further. The car door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, cloaked in a black trench coat.

“Y-You?” Anthony’s eyes widened.

It was the guy from the restaurant earlier. And his voice... it was the same guy he saw a while ago.

“Step back.” the man ordered, his deep voice calm yet commanding.

Felix’s men exchanged uncertain glances before one of them sneered. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

The man didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek handgun, pointing it directly at the lead thug.

Anthony was very surprised. In his entire time being alive, it was the first time he had seen a real gun.

“You don’t want to test me.” he said evenly, his tone laced with menace.

The thugs hesitated, their bravado faltering. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the possibility of violence.

Jake leaned toward Anthony, whispering, “Who is this guy?”

Anthony shook his head. “No idea, but I think he’s on our side... for now.”

The driver of the SUV stepped out, his face twisted in anger. “Do you even know who we work for? This is Felix’s business. Walk away now, and we might let you live.”

The man in the trench coat chuckled, the sound low and chilling. “Felix doesn’t scare me. But if you’re smart, you’ll go back and tell him to pick his fights more carefully.”

Felix’s men looked at each other, weighing their options. The stranger’s confidence was unsettling, and the fact that he hadn’t flinched once made them second-guess their advantage.

Finally, the leader growled, “This isn’t over.”

They retreated to their SUV, their tires screeching as they sped off into the night.

The man holstered his gun and turned to face Anthony and Jake. His face was partially illuminated by the streetlights, and Anthony’s breath caught. It was the same man from the dark corner outside his building.

“I told you to be careful, didn’t I?” the man said, his tone almost amused.

Anthony stepped forward, his curiosity overcoming his fear. “Who are you? Why are you helping me?”

The man smirked. “Let’s just say I’m someone who doesn’t like Felix and his games. As for why I’m helping you... you’ll find out soon enough.”

Jake frowned, his hand still on the motorcycle’s throttle. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”

The man ignored Jake and focused on Anthony. “Get in the car. You’ll be safer with me than out here.”

Anthony hesitated, his mind racing. Was this another trap? But something about the man’s demeanor—his calm authority—made him feel he could be trusted, at least for now.

Jake shook his head. “No way. We don’t even know this guy. We’re not getting in that car.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Suit yourself. But if Felix’s men come back, you won’t last long on that bike.”

Anthony glanced at Jake, then back at the car. “Jake, we don’t have a choice. He just saved us.”

With a reluctant sigh, Jake relented. “Fine. But if this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”

They climbed into the backseat of the car, the interior sleek and immaculate. The man slid into the driver’s seat, the engine purring as he accelerated smoothly down the street.

“Where are you taking us?” Anthony asked.

The man glanced at him through the rearview mirror, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

“To a place where you’ll finally start to understand what’s really going on.” he said cryptically.

Anthony exchanged a nervous look with Jake.

The car sped into the night, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions—and a growing sense of foreboding.

“Why were you following me?” Anthony couldn’t help but ask.

The guy took a cigarette from his pocket and started smoking.

“Just sit and relax. You’ll know everything soon.” he smiled.

“Seriously, man, where are we going?” Jake asked, his voice tense.

The driver didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took a sharp turn into an underground parking garage, the tires squealing softly against the concrete. The garage was dimly lit, with shadows stretching across the walls.

The car came to a stop, and the man in the trench coat turned off the engine. He twisted in his seat to face them, his piercing gaze locking onto Anthony.

“Get out. Both of you,” he said, his voice low but firm.

Jake looked ready to argue, but Anthony placed a hand on his arm, shaking his head. “Let’s just see what he wants,” Anthony muttered.

Reluctantly, they stepped out of the car. The man led them to a nearby elevator, swiping a keycard to access the top floor. The ride up was silent, the tension palpable. When the elevator doors opened, Anthony was stunned.

The space before them was a sprawling penthouse, sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. High-tech gadgets and monitors adorned one corner, displaying live feeds of various locations. A large map of the city was pinned to a wall, marked with red and blue dots.

“What is this place?” Anthony asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The man removed his trench coat, revealing a tailored suit beneath. “A safe house—and a command center of sorts.” he replied.

Jake crossed his arms, his skepticism clear. “Who are you, and why are you so interested in helping us?”