Luciano | Book I ✓

Chapter Five

"What's so funny?"

He chuckled, still smiling. "Everyone always has the same reaction when they see this car."  Faith smiled slightly as she looked back at the Audi.  Her hand reached out, wanting to touch the car's black paint, but a voice shouted out, stopping her.

"Ah, ah, ahhh-" Liam's voice rang out from behind her, but this time she didn't jump. She turned slightly, retracting her hand from the car. "I just had her washed and shined. Don't touch."

"You all be safe and have fun," Will smiled, nodding towards Faith. He gave Liam a half-hearted hug as he walked over to Faith, extending his hand.  She accepted it, unsure as to if they were on a 'hug' basis. Before he pulled away, he whipped out his phone and handed it to her, explaining. "Type in your phone number."

Faith's eyebrows furrowed as she held the iPhone in her hands. "I don't have my phone-"

"-just type it in," He whined playfully. Will shot a look over at Liam, who smirked as he rested his ass on the back of the car, his arms folded across his chest. They knew what they were doing. Faith didn't notice the exchange of looks as she typed her number in my heart before clicking save. She handed the phone back to Will.

"If you need anything," Will stressed as he slid his phone in his pocket, "call me."  Faith nodded as she watched her one and only friend send a curt, professional nod towards Liam, before turning and jogging back to the waiting range rover, and hopping in the back seat.

The next minute and a half was the longest span of time Faith had ever endured. She looked to Liam, watching as his attention was locked on the Range Rover. Pushing himself off the car, he turns to Faith, "We have a long drive in front of us," Liam's raspy voice broke the silence.

Her legs shook as she tried her best to walk over to the passenger side of the car. Liam followed her closely, only making her ten times more nervous. He opened the door for her, causing her to pause. When did he become a gentlemen? The pause Faith took lasted longer than she thought as she glanced up, meeting Liam's eyes. His lips stayed pursed in a straight line, his expression unreadable. Luciano finally spoke up, upon realizing the girl wasn't getting into the car.

"Get in the car, Ms. Crawford." His voice was demanding and deep, but the more he talked, the more Faith hinted at a slight accent.

Faith glanced at the plush, burgundy colored seats, then back at Liam. His gaze was stone cold, causing her to turn away; assessing her options. Getting into a car with Liam Luciano, the man that had hit her twice and the man who hadn't shown an ounce of humanity in the last two days seemed ridiculous.  The fighter in her told her to run and never look back. Her body had turn oh-so slightly in the direction of freedom, but as quickly as it did, Liam shifted in his stance, blocking her.  A slight smirk crept on his lips.

"I'd advise against that, Ms. Crawford."

She clenched her jaw and looked up at him, curious, "Why?"

Liam's gaze lifted, glancing over Faith's shoulder before he looked back down at her. He licks his lips, "There's a sniper on the roof, simply waiting for me to command him to drop you."

Faith squints in a glare, "You're bluffing."

Luciano steps to the side, opening up a wide path in front of his captive. The muscle in his jaw twitches as he points toward her freedom, "Test me then, Ms. Crawford," He watched, expressionless as Faith steps away from the car, her small steps taking her further away from him. Right before she took off, Liam added, "But just for your information, many have tested me," Faith locks eyes with him, "and they've all failed."