Page 19 of One Breath After Another

Really laugh.

A genuine sound that had her young face lighting up in such a way that it was impossible for Luca to tear his gaze away when she dared to toss her head back as the amusement radiated from her. She was too beautiful of a creature to be constantly sad, but he couldn’t help but wonder ... how long it had been since she laughed like she just did?

She should do that more often. He hoped that eventually, she might be able to find someone who made her laugh like he just had. Again and again. Everybody deserved someone to make them happy.

Luca would have said more, but the buzz of his phone stopped him. Pulling the device from the pocket of his dark-wash jeans, the same ones his father had bitched about the blown-out knees the last time Zeke saw him wearing them, he checked the messages.

One from Naz waited.

Did you grab the file from my office yet?

Right.

The entire reason he was here. He didn’t regret agreeing to help Naz out more than he already did while his friend needed it, but shit ... Luca didn’t stop running. If he didn’t have time for his college obligations before, he sure as hell didn’t have time for them now.

Raising his phone for Penny to see, Luca offered an apologetic expression when he said, “Sorry, I gotta grab something for Naz and head out before he comes looking for me. You good?”

Penny smiled.

It seemed real.

“Yeah, Luca. I’m good. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

And he meant it.

On his way out of the house with the file in hand, Luca heard the echo of the same song that greeted him when he entered the house. Only now, she played it in a minor key.

• • •

LUCA ARRIVED AT DIZZY’S to find Naz had situated himself at the bar where he could enjoy a glass of whiskey while he finished up a phone call. He only heard the tail end of the conversation as he approached and took the stool next to his friend.

“Can’t say we’re going to make it happen that soon, Zio,” Naz said into the phone, “but I’ll let Dad know and see if he wants to go with Chicago for that offer. You know how he is ... yeah, it’s all about that bottom dollar. Later.”

“Chicago, huh?” Luca asked when Naz ended the call and tossed the phone to the bar top. “Donatis are making deals with Chicago?”

“Occasionally. Depends on the—”

“Money.”

Naz grinned. “This business is all about money. Even when it’s family.”

Right.

Luca wouldn’t forget it.

Turning so his back faced the bar and he could observe the empty club, Luca rested his elbows on the edge. The folder he had grabbed for Naz hung from his fingertips, waiting to be passed over. A lot could be done to the club to spruce it up and make it a bit more ... seemly. Especially for a business that Naz used on a regular basis. Yet, his friend purchased the club over a year ago and had yet to make any effort to get the place up to the standard of his name.

“You ever gonna get this place Donati ready?” Luca asked, knowing Naz would understand what he meant well enough.

Naz scoffed under his breath. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a place you frequent regularly and own should actually look like you own it. Right now, it looks better fit for the dregs.”

“It’s fine for me.”

Luca shifted his gaze Naz’s way. “Is it?”