MEET ME AT THE GALLIANO CLUB
This is an excerpt from my current work-in-progress. MEET ME AT THE GALLIANO CLUB is the prequel to the Galliano Club thriller series and tells the backstories of bartender Luca Lombardo and dancer Ruth Cross.
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The ground shook with the sound of rolling thunder as horses barreled toward them. Soldiers galloped through the olive grove, shouting and snapping branches off the centuries-old trees. The tumult surrounded the terrified family.
Luca was awestruck at the fancy uniforms adorned with braid and gold buttons, unmoving until Enzo yanked him out of the way.
One of the soldiers hurtled past, an officer with a sword, foam flying from his horse’s mouth. Luca’s bucket of olives overturned and was smashed by the enormous hooves.
His aunt Arlinda screamed for her husband and children as the riders crisscrossed the grove, sending up choking clouds of dust. A phalanx of foot soldiers followed the horses, long rifles pointed menacingly.
"What do you want?" Luca's grandfather shouted. "We are peasants. We have nothing."
"Matteo Lombardo!" The officer rode up to Luca's father. Tossing its head, the horse pawed the ground, bridle jangling, flanks heaving.
“I am Matteo Lombardo,” Luca’s father said quietly, squinting up at the officer.
“Matteo Lombardo, you are wanted for desertion from the army of King Victor Emmanual.”
Luca’s father said nothing, but his gaze went first to Luca, then to Luisa.
“Do you understand?” the officer barked. “The charge is desertion. You must come with us.”
The foot soldiers clustered around Matteo and tied his hands behind his back.
“No!” Luisa launched herself at them, clawing to get to her husband. They threw her off.
“Wait for me,” Matteo called over his shoulder to her as they marched him away. “Take care of Luca until I get back.”
“You harbored a fugitive,” the officer shouted at the family as he wheeled his horse around, further trampling the harvest. “A deserter. Your land is hereby forfeit to the decision of a military tribunal.”
