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He lets out a long breath through gritted teeth. “I still trust Dad’s judgment, but after our talk last night…” No matter how angry Luca and I get during arguments, we’re always friends right after, and we never hold grudges. “I started thinking maybe if Dad was fullyDad, he wouldn’t have rushed into this. Plus, if Russelisthe one who broke into your lady’s apartment, then we’re done. We don’t do business with people like that.”
“I agree,” I tell him. “Though we alreadyarein business with him.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Luca says, sighing. “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it. For now, let’s get moving. We need to find your lady’s parents. By the way, you’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
He grins. “Smiling. Every time I call her yourlady, you smile. It’s like you can’t help it.”
“I don’t think I can,” I tell him. “There’s something special about her.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Don’t be yet,” I reply. “There’s still too much up in the air. Her parents, Russel, and the fact I’ve never had a serious relationship.”
I start the engine, pulling away from the alleyway I parked us in after Luca kneecapped the lowlife. As we left the storehouse, I saw a few of his men running in to tend to him. None of them would look us in the eye. There was no damn way they were going to try anything.
“Don’t overthink it,” Luca says. “That’s your issue. Always thinking too much.”
“She’s nineteen,” I reply. “She’s so, so young.”
“Why does that matter?”
“You never heard of an older man taking advantage of a young woman?”
“But that’s not what you’re doing, dumbass,” Luca says, the only man who’d ever talk to me like this. That’s one of the reasons brotherhood is so damn important. “There’s clearly something unique about her. You’ve basically been a monk for years, and even when you had girlfriends, everybody could tell you were only doing it for appearances and to keep Mom happy. Even the girlfriends could tell that.”
“I can’t argue there,” I reply. “I just wish we could’ve met under better circumstances.”
Luca shrugs. For a while, we drive without speaking. Then Luca chuckles and says, “Just think, bro. If everything works out with her, you’ll be thanking Russel. If it weren’t for him, we never would’ve gone to that restaurant, and you never would’ve met.”
“If he chose that place to put a scare in my lady,” I growl, “the only way I’ll be thanking him is with a bullet.”
CHAPTER13
Scarlet
I focus on the simple act of unpacking my suitcase, folding the clothes, and finding space for them in the closet and drawers. I’m taking far, far longer than this task actually needs. It’s the only way to keep myself somewhat sane. That’s what my life has become, focusing on the present moment, the boring stuff, so my mind doesn’t flit to Mom, to all the sick stuff that could be happening to her.
When my phone vibrates, I almost leap on it.
We’re staking out a possible location now,Elio tells me.It’s going to be a while. How are you keeping yourself busy, beautiful?
When he calls me beautiful, a warm flutter bounces through me. It lets me forget about everything else. There’s something magical about my man.
I’m having a very productive day,I reply.I’ve folded the same shirt ten times just to keep myself occupied. I’m not sure what else to do. I think your mom’s having a nap.
You could take a look at the library. Or watch a movie in the theater.
This place has a library and a theater?! It’s like Beauty and the Beast.
Ha, ha. Am I the beauty or the beast?
I smile, sitting on the bed, warmth flowing through me. I don’t let the nerves twist through me or let them take hold. There’s no point thinking about what happens when he comes home, the sun falls, and he wants to go further. I want it, too, even with Mom missing. I’m not sure what that says about me.
I could use Mom as an excuse to hide the real reason for the nerves.
I’d say half beauty, half beast,I reply.What about me?
