He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

(Daisy’s POV)

The gates opened before us, and a few moments later the car rolled onto the estate grounds.

As the mansion gradually came into view, familiarity and realization settled over me. I knew this place. I knew the winding drive leading toward it, the sprawling grounds surrounding it, and the absurdly expensive structure waiting at the end of the road.

The DeLuca estate.

The place where everything had started.

The place where I had been brought after being kidnapped by mistake.

The place where DeLuca had first entered my life and proceeded to turn it upside down because I was doing a sluggish job at it.

Strangely, seeing it again felt almost nostalgic.

Not that I had expected nostalgia to arrive while recovering from a gunshot wound and fleeing armed attackers, but apparently life had decided consistency was overrated.

The car eventually came to a stop.

Before I could properly gather my thoughts, DeLuca was already out of the vehicle and moving toward the passenger side. A second later the door opened and I found myself being lifted into his arms once again.

At this point I wasn’t even sure whether I technically possessed working legs anymore.

Several men lingered throughout the courtyard and surrounding grounds. Some appeared to be standing guard while others seemed occupied with various tasks, but every one of them noticed Deluca immediately. Their attention shifted toward him the moment he appeared.

None of them approached immediately. So none of them interrupted.

Just then DeLuca raised his voice.

“Fritzo.”

The response was almost immediate.

A figure appeared from somewhere deeper within the estate and hurried toward us with surprising speed. Relief crossed his face the moment he reached DeLuca, followed by unmistakable surprise.

“Boss.”

His eyes widened.

“You’re here.”

The words came out as though he still hadn’t fully processed it. “You’re really here.”

There was genuine excitement beneath his forced professionalism and I found myself staring at him in scrutiny. Apparently DeLuca’s absence had been felt more strongly than I had realized.

Meanwhile, Fritzo look just the same, buff and oddly cute. He noticed me also but said nothing in acknowledgment as there were other pressing issues.

“I’ve been calling you,” Fritzo said now.

“I couldn’t answer.”

DeLuca’s response was brief.

He shifted me slightly in his arms before continuing as though several issues were already lined up inside his head.

“This car needs to be returned.” He handed over the business card.

“Prepare a room for Daisy.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Call the private doctor. And then I need men assembled.” He surmised and now, Fritzo hesitated.

The hesitation lasted less than a second.

Unfortunately, DeLuca noticed immediately as his gaze settled on the man.

Not to brag, but I noticed it too.

“Boss…” Fritzo muttered and DeLuca’s gaze sharpened.

The shift was subtle, but it was there. His expression didn’t change dramatically and he didn’t raise his voice.

“Talk.”

Fritzo swallowed.

“We need permission.”

“What permission?”

“The leader’s permission.” He said and even I frowned.

The leader?

Beside me, DeLuca’s expression shifted slightly, then a long sigh escaped him.

“My father is misbehaving again.” He said and before Fritzo could respond, DeLuca spoke again.

“Is Nico here?”

The name instantly stirred old memories.

Nico.

I’d almost forgotten about him. DeLuca’s best friend.

The only person who hadn’t acted like an angry prison warden during my accidental kidnapping.

The only member of DeLuca’s world who had somehow managed to remain friendly while everyone else seemed determined to develop

communication issues.

“He came back from vacation recently, didn’t he?” DeLuca asked.

“Yes, boss.”

“Good.”

Fritzo opened his mouth again.

“Boss, I really need to tell you-”

“Call Nico.”

The interruption was immediate.

“But-”

“Call Nico.”

DeLuca’s voice remained calm. That calmness somehow made arguing with him feel impossible.

“Daisy needs treatment.”

Fritzo looked as though he still wanted to say something. But then he surrendered.

“Yes, boss.” He said and a moment later he was gone.

For the first time since we’d arrived, DeLuca’s attention returned fully to me. His gaze moved across my face briefly before settling.

“Are you okay?”

The question caught me off guard.

After everything that had happened, I wasn’t entirely sure how to answer.

“Yes.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify