The De Luca Heir

4: Big problem

Jake pulled out his phone and handed it to Anthony. On the screen was a photo taken earlier that night—of Anthony punching Felix. In the background, Catherine was watching with a smirk. But it wasn’t just the photo that caught Anthony’s attention. It was the caption beneath it:

“No one crosses Felix and walks away unscathed. Tick-tock, Anthony.”

Anthony’s blood ran cold. “This… this isn’t just about Catherine, is it?”

Jake shook his head. “Felix isn’t some random rich guy. He’s connected. Really connected. I’ve been digging into him, and he’s tied to people you don’t want to mess with.”

Anthony sank onto the worn-out couch, his head in his hands. “So, what do I do now? Apologize? Run?”

Jake hesitated. “I don’t think apologizing is going to cut it. And running? That might make things worse.”

Before Anthony could respond, the sound of tires screeching outside made both men jump. Jake rushed to the window and peeked through the blinds.

“Anthony,” he whispered urgently, “you’ve got company.”

Anthony joined him, and his breath hitched. A black SUV was parked in front of the building, its engine idling. Three men in dark suits stepped out, scanning the area like predators on the hunt.

“Those wer—I knew, Anthony. They were at the bar and they are Felix’s bodyguards. I knew Catherine told your address.” Jake said.

Anthony’s phone buzzed again. Another message from the same unknown number:

“You’ve got five minutes.”

Jake turned to him, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. “You wanted to stop being a victim? Well, here’s your chance. But you’ve got to make a choice—right now.”

Anthony clenched his fists, the fire in his chest reigniting. “I’m not running anymore.”

The pounding of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Anthony’s heart raced as the pounding on his door grew louder, more insistent. Jake grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the window.

“We need to move now!” Jake hissed.

Anthony shook him off, his jaw tightening. “I said I’m not running.”

Jake glared at him. “And what? You’re going to take on Felix’s goons barehanded in your crappy apartment? Be realistic, Anthony!”

The pounding stopped. The silence that followed was even more unnerving.

Then, a deep voice called from the other side of the door. “Anthony, we know you’re in there. Open up, and no one gets hurt.”

Jake cursed under his breath. “They’re bluffing.”

Anthony squared his shoulders, his fists clenching. “Maybe. But I’m not giving them the satisfaction of thinking I’m afraid.”

He strode toward the door, ignoring Jake’s protests. Grabbing a metal bat he kept by the coat rack, he held it tightly, his palms sweaty but his grip firm.

“Anthony, don’t be an idiot!” Jake hissed, darting toward the window and checking the street again.

Anthony opened the door just enough to see the men standing there. They were big, intimidating, and clearly not here to chat.

“Can I help you?” Anthony asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

One of the men, the tallest of the three, stepped forward, his cold eyes locking onto Anthony’s. “We’re here to deliver a message from Mr. Felix. He doesn’t appreciate being embarrassed, and he doesn’t like loose ends.”

The man smirked, revealing a gold tooth. “Consider this your warning.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the doorframe despite his thudding heart. “This is your warning? Three of you against me? Seems like overkill for just a message.”

The man’s smirk faltered, and his eyes narrowed. “You’re either brave or stupid, kid.”

Jake, still at the window, suddenly tensed. “Anthony, we’ve got a bigger problem. There’s another car pulling up.”

Anthony’s grip on the bat tightened. “I think we’re done here. Tell Felix I got the message.”

The man chuckled darkly. “Oh, we’re not done.” He reached for something inside his jacket.

Before he could draw, Anthony slammed the door shut and bolted it, stepping back as Jake rushed over.

“What now, genius?” Jake asked, panic creeping into his voice.

Anthony’s mind raced. “We can’t stay here. They’ll break in any second.”

Jake glanced around the small apartment and spotted the fire escape. “That’s our way out. Move!”

As the men outside began pounding on the door again, Anthony and Jake scrambled toward the window. Jake climbed out first, the metal fire escape creaking under his weight.

Anthony followed, but as he stepped onto the platform, the door to his apartment burst open, and the men stormed inside. What makes him curious was that, Jake was so skilled in every moment he takes.

“Go, go!” Jake urged, already descending the ladder.

Anthony was halfway down when one of the men appeared at the window, a gun in hand. The sharp crack of a gunshot rang out, and Anthony felt the wind of the bullet as it narrowly missed him.

They reached the alley below, sprinting toward Jake’s motorcycle. Jake tossed Anthony a helmet.

“Get on!”

As they sped away, the black SUV roared to life behind them, its headlights glaring like twin predators in the dark.

Anthony clung to Jake as the motorcycle weaved through the city streets, the sound of the SUV’s engine growing louder.

“What’s the plan?” Anthony shouted over the wind.

Jake gritted his teeth. “The plan is to survive!”

As they approached an intersection, Anthony’s phone buzzed again. He pulled it out, his hand shaking.

Another message from the unknown number:

“You can’t run forever, Anthony. Tick-tock.”

The chase continued, the SUV closing the gap.

But as they rounded a corner, Jake skidded to a stop, his eyes wide. Standing in the middle of the street was the man Anthony had seen earlier—the one from the dark corner outside his building.

The man raised a hand, signaling for them to stop.

The SUV screeched to a halt behind them, its occupants stepping out cautiously.

“Who the hell are you?” Jake muttered.

The man smirked, his gaze locked on Anthony. “I told you to be careful, kid. Now it’s time to see if you’re ready for what’s coming.”

The tension in the air was palpable as the man stepped forward, his presence commanding enough to make even Felix’s goons hesitate.

“You’re dead.” the man grinned.