Page 66 of Lucian

“I haven’t checked them. I’m an idiot. I get it. You’re one more person who doesn’t need to tell me that this morning, Gio.”

The younger man went quiet before he asked, “What? Hey, did something happen I don’t know about?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Anyway, what happened with you?”

Gio barked a laugh. “I grabbed some chicken wings last night from the place down the street. I gave Cain the leftovers this morning, and what’d he do? Choked on a bone because he eats like he’s never been fed! Inhale and swallow, he doesn’t even chew. It got stuck in his throat. Scared the shit out of me. I love that dog like nobody knows. Nearly killed someone trying to get him to the vet. I’ve been here all morning. I’m just leaving.”

Relief washed through Lucian, though he felt bad about Gio’s beloved Rottweiler. “He okay, now?”

“They’re going to keep him for a day or so, just to make sure there was no damage to his esophagus, but it seems like he’s fine. Whiney fucking mutt didn’t want me to go. Do you know what it feels like to have something you adore look at you like you’re just killing it by leaving? Can’t find a woman to keep me interested, but that dog owns me. It’s ridiculous.”

Lucian laughed at his brother’s sickeningly unconditional love for his dog. Even so, he was still pissed off. Gio might not have been able to contact Dante or Antony that morning because their phones were always turned off during this time, but he had other ways of getting a hold of Lucian.

“Why didn’t you call my condo?”

“I did,” Gio said, sounding confused. “A dozen times after I tried your cells. I thought you were being an asshole and ignoring me.”

After?

“Jordyn should have picked up,” Lucian muttered, more to himself.

“No one answered. It went to voicemail. You didn’t bring her today, did you?”

God, no.

Lucian didn’t answer his brother, though, because he was suddenly really panicked.

“You’re sure you called my condo?” Lucian asked, the words coming out strained.

“Sì, Lucian. Rang off the hook. What is wrong with you?”

“Cain’s vet is in Brooklyn, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re closer than me. I need you to go to Jordyn’s old apartment and see if she’s there.”

Gio huffed quietly. “Dad’s gonna kick my ass.”

“No, he’ll kick mine,” Lucian replied. “I’ll handle it.”

“Was she supposed to go there?” Gio asked. “That’s fucking stupid of you to be letting her wander around the city alone.”

“No, but we had a fight about it this morning. I didn’t want her anywhere near it. She wouldn’t listen, or maybe I wasn’t hearing what she was trying to say.”

“That sounds like you.”

• • •

“What do you mean you can’t give me the spare keys to my apartment?” Jordyn asked angrily. “It’s my apartment. My things are inside. The rent is paid until next week. Give me the spare keys.”

The landlord of the building shook his balding head. “Listen, cutie. Mr. Suit might have paid for the damages to the door the first time, but he didn’t pay for the second round, okay? That’s coming out of my pocket, because even your damage deposit won’t cover it. Not even close. That’s worthy of an eviction, got it? Feel lucky I’m not going after you for the costs.”

“Mr. Suit?”

“Tall, Italian, hazel eyes, dressed up like he could pull out the cash from his pocket to buy this shithole if he wanted. Mr. Suit.”

Lucian paid for the damages to replace her door and didn’t tell her? Why?