Adriana’s and Rosa’s heels clicked away. “Put that cookie down, Dante.Sohelp me!”
“Come on,mom! Just one more!”
“No!”
Then Luca and I were left surrounded by the clinking and clanking ofthewait staff. His hand never stopped rubbing my back,and slowly,I was able to take a normal breath.
He helped me sit up, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
“Better?” Luca brushed his thumbs under my eyes.
“I guess.”
He cupped my cheek and turned my face toward him. When our eyes met, all the hurt and anger I expected to see wasn’t there. Instead, his gaze was full of worry. “You think you can make it up the backstairs with me?”
I nodded, and he helped me up the stairs to his room. Easing down onto the bed, I took in the familiar surroundings.
Luca shut the door and locked it. After a beat, he joined me on the bed, his movements slow and unsure.
“I can’t imagine how hard all this must be for you.” His voice shook with emotion.
“Me? Are you fucking kidding me?” I pushed his shoulder to catch his gaze.
Luca’s eyes widened, and his cheeks puffed out. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Luca! Maybe the fact I killed your father? Or maybe that you had to help me stage his death? Take your pick!”
He cringed as I got louder and louder until he covered my mouth with his hand. “For fuck’s sake. Keep your voice down.”
I relaxed my shoulders and nodded.
Inching his hand away, Luca shook his head. “You did what you had to do. If you hadn’t killed him, I would’ve.” Honesty laced his words,and I felt a little relief.
Grabbing his retreating hand, I kissed his palm. “It doesn’t change the fact you lost your dad. Shitty or not, that’s still your dad,and it’s okay to be sad.”
Luca looked at me, his eyebrows pulling together. “I don’t think I’m sad he’s gone.” He shifted closer to me. His knees bumped into mine. “I’msad that I’m not sad. We never had a great relationship, not like him and Dante.” He stood up and went over to a picture hanging on the wall. Tracing his fingers over the glass, he shook his head. “When Dante was alive, I was just the disappointing extra son, but when he died,I was the disappointing son fucking up the family legacy.” He stopped moving and looked at me. “I feel free, which makes me feel so fucking guilty.”
“I can see that.” I rose to my feet but didn’t step toward him. “I’m not going to tell you how to feel because fuck if I know what is “normal” in this situation, but I will tell you I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
Luca took a tentative step toward me, stopping just out of reach. “How can you say that? If it weren’t for me, your life would’ve never been in danger. You would’ve never had to kill someone.” He pounded his fist on his chest. “That’s on me,Sasha. This should have finally scared you away, but instead,you’re here consoling me. Why?”
I shrugged and closed the gap between us. “It’s like I told you the first time you brought me to this room. You could never scare me away, Luca. I’m the crazy bitch that loves you.” His lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. I could tell he would need more convincing.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I stared up at him. “I love youunconditionally. I tried leaving you, you’ve tried to keep me away,and nothing has worked. We belong together.”
Luca’s arms loosely wrapped around me. “That doesn’t change how much danger you’re in just being with me. I’m not as arrogant as I was when we first got together.”
Arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, I smirked. “Are youactuallyworried that I can’t handle myself? I hate to point it out on today of all days, but I’m kind of a badass.”
His plump lips pulled into a smile. “That you are, baby.”
Encouraged by his relaxing posture, I continued. “I’m not blind to what I’m walking into. I know who you are.” Luca winced, so I rushed out, “You’re not just the guy I saw in thatbathroom or the man who protected me in that hotel room. You’re the softie that makes me breakfast in bed, you’re the uncle that has sing-a-longs and does voices while reading at bedtime,and you’re the only person I can imagine making a life with, danger and all.”
Luca blew out a breath, opening his mouth, but I cut him off before he could say anything stupid. “So that’s the danger thing.” I held up a finger, then another. “Next is your ridiculous arranged marriage idea. This might be in poor taste, but Zoe is missing,and I assume the Chronis family is already blaming you?”
“Yeah. Fucked timing.”
I pressed into his body. “No. Perfect timing.”