AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t know love.” I refuse to meet his eye.
“Neither do you, little bird.”
I’d like to think I do know love, but I realize I’m damaged. I’m the girl who would rather set up couples for money, all while never dating. I’m the girl who likes going over numbers and hiding in the shadows to use the information I find to my benefit.
I like taking risks, because I like the idea of being caught. Maybe that’s why I never ratted out Luca when he was by the old oil refinery. The thought of my father finding out excited me, and the hope that Luca might return thrilled me in an unhealthy way.
“Come on.” Luca is already climbing down the tree.
I hate that he’s gotten inside my head. Stewing to myself, I follow after him.
He takes hold of my hand once my feet are on the ground, and we walk in silence to the house.
“Must you lock me in your room?” I ask. “You seem to have an army to keep me inside.”
“It’s not to keep you a prisoner but to keep you safe. I have some work still to do, but I will be coming to bed tonight.” He catches me off guard. I had assumed I was staying in his room, but he hasn’t been in there much since I arrived. “We might as well get used to sleeping in the same bed, as we will be doing that for the rest of our lives.”
“Then what? You’ll keep me in your ivory tower?” Silence meets my question.
“Have you ever been taken out on a date?” he eventually asks, changing the subject. I’m not sure where he’s going with this.
“No.” I allow my answer to hang in the air. I feel like this could be a trick question.
“We’ll have our first official date tomorrow,” he informs me, his tone making it sound final. We come to my door, and I don’t want to be stuck in there all by myself. I’m tired of being left alone with my thoughts. I miss work. I miss using my brain.
Excitement begins to creep its way into me. I’ve never been on a date. I wonder if Luca will be the gentleman or the villain. Either way, I finally get to be outside these walls. I could use the freedom to my advantage.
Iwakeinthemiddle of the night, and I can’t move. It’s like a heavy weight is holding me down on the plush mattress. I don’t remember falling asleep, and it takes me a minute to realize that Luca has me caged in. One thick leg is draped across me, along with his arm, and he’s curled almost on top of me like he’s worried I’ll run away. I take the opportunity to study him. He looks much younger when he’s relaxed.
It’s scary how much he hasn’t changed in the last five years. I’m able to wiggle one hand out and brush some of his hair from his closed eyes. The man who lies beside me, I could easily fall in love with. But the man who he wakes up to be is scary. He’s shown me kindness, but I’m not blind to what he’s capable of.
For a moment, I don’t think of the consequences of falling in love with this man. I curl into him, holding him too. For one night, I allow myself to pretend I don’t belong to the mafia. I pretend I’m a regular girl having a sleepover with her boyfriend. Luxuries I was never afforded.
Chapter 18
Luca
“Hey,Pauly,youstillwanting someone to double date with you?” Immediately, his face brightens.
“Yeah—”
Interrupting, I continue, “Good. Aly and I will be there.”
He wants to argue, but I pin him with a glare that states if he says anything, I’ll put a bullet in his head.
I’m on edge for most of the day. I need to shoot someone. It calms my heart in a way that no one and thing has been able to before.
“Where are you heading?” I ask, hoping Pauly is going out to collect from our associates. He’s too stupid to do the torturing though. He’d forget some steps and get caught.
“Down to old man Vito’s strip club,” he says, jumping into the car. I start walking toward it, and my men follow suit. When I go to open the car door, he asks, “You wanting to bruise up those hands of yours?” He’s staring at me over the roof of the vehicle. My cousin is a talker; if I give in to this, he’ll talk my whole damn ear off for the rest of the day. My glare silences him for a moment, but not enough to stay that way. “We could use a guy like you today.”
Walking into the club, I see a stripper grinding against the pole with some men scattered in the front row. I follow Pauly in. He’s been here enough times to memorize the layout. He goes past the bar toward the offices. He kicks in the door, and we walk in.
“Pauly.” Vito is all smiles until he notices me past my cousin. “The money is due today. Why you bring Luca?” he whines.
“You have the money?” I question, and Vito begins to trip over his words as I continue, “If you do, there is no need to worry about why I’m here.”
“I will. I mean, I have it; it’s just not here.” His eyes go wide and volley between me and Pauly. They plead with my cousin to show mercy, but he doesn’t beg. “Wait. Can I trade information for a time extension?”
