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Amelia says, “Let’s order some food and you can tell us more about you. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot of you.”
By the time lunch is over, I feel more like myself than I have in months. More importantly than that, I know I don’t want to leave Luca’s house. Not until we have time to talk. Each of my new friends promise to see me soon, and I believe them. Maurice is waiting outside and smiles when he sees me. He opens the back door of the SUV, but I stop him by throwing my arms around his neck.
“Thank you, Maurice.”
His cheeks are red as he answers, “This wasn’t me. This was Luca.”
“I don’t believe you. I think you have this way of getting to people, and that you somehow convinced Luca to show me a different side of him.”
“Only because you deserve more than a pretty cage, birdie.”
I brush my lips across his cheeks. “And you deserve more than to hide in the shadows, Maurice.”
He doesn’t answer, but motions for me to climb into the SUV. When I’m inside, he closes the door and takes his place in the driver’s seat.
“Where are we going now?”
“Home.”
“Do you live there all the time as well? I always just assumed the Beast needed to be in the city.”
“We each live in the city, but all of us consider Grandfather’s home our true home.”
I see his scowl in the mirror.
“You should try to make new memories there. Things that will make it a happy home.”
This time, he looks at me. “That’s what I’m hoping you can help us do.”
I sit back, stunned. It never crossed my mind that I could help these men. They hold so much power and I’m a nobody. But the thought of helping them does something to my heart. I want each of them to be happy. To know there are other ways to live than what they were taught. So, I decide to make it my mission to show them how it might be if they give me a chance.
We arrive at the house, and both Luca and Henri are waiting. It doesn’t look like there’s been bloodshed, so that’s a plus.
Henri meets me, pulling me into his arms. “Did you have a good time?”
I look up at him, searching his face. “I did. Is everything okay here?”
“Yes. But I think Luca should be the one to explain.”
Luca scowls at that. “I’m sure you can do it better,professor.”
Henri chuckles, unphased by the slight dig. “No, this is your idea. You should tell her.”
“Tell me what?”
Luca sighs. “Come inside. It’s quite cold out here.”
I follow him into the house, Henri right behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Maurice is following, too. Good. I’m led to another room that I’ve never been to. This one is more like a den and is definitely more comfortable. The brown leather couches face a fireplace with a TV hanging over it. There’s a minibar, too, which I think must be some kind of prerequisite for this family. Luca motions for me to sit. I’m pleased when Henri sits at my side, so close that our bodies touch. Maurice takes a seat on the loveseat and Luca stands. He stares into the fireplace, lost in his thoughts.
“Luca?”
He blinks, facing me. “Right. Did you have a good time today?”
“I already asked her that,” Henri reminds him.
He glares, his cheeks darkening in a blush.
“Luca, is everything okay?”
