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His thumb sweeps out over my cheek softly, and in spite of my better judgment I lean into the touch, letting him cradle my head in his hand. I want to trust that everything that he’s saying is true. I really do. But, knowing that this whole thing was orchestrated? It makes it just that much harder to trust my feelings.
So, naturally, I quickly change the subject. “Where did you learn how to cook?”
Luca smirks like he knows what I’m doing but chooses not to call me out on it. “My mother. She loved to cook. She got it from hermother, and so on. That side of the family, they liked to make it a big thing. Sundays were for making sauces, for example. I used to have to peel tomatoes by the bucket when I was a kid. I hated it so much.”
A ghost of sadness lingers in his eyes, but he continues.
“I would give just about anything to have another sauce day, though.” Luca sighs and pushes off of the counter and walks to where he left his plate. He picks up a fork and gestures to my own plate with it. “Eat, it’s not as good when it’s cold.”
My brother has always been the only person in my life who takes care of me. He’s the only one who I’ve ever really let get close enough to let my guard down. And now, here I am, allowing this man to make me breakfast.
I spear some of the eggs onto my fork and almost melt when they hit my tongue. Luca hums happily with a nod, like he knew that I would like it.
…I could get used to this.
“When you’re done,” Luca continues. “We shower and meet up with your brother.”
Any other man would have had me bristling over being told what to do.
My brother’s ears must be ringing because the phone on the island starts to vibrate with Alexei’s name. When I don’t answer, he texts just four little words that make me groan in disappointment. I wanted that shower.
‘I’m on the way.’
Well, guess it’s back to business for all involved.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
KATYA
Ibarely have time to get my shorts back on before Alexei’s knocking on my door.
Granted, he doesn’t even bother waiting for me to answer before he invites himself into the space. He’s always been like this. Since we were little kids, he would just come into my room without knocking. He claimed that since he was the man of the house back then, he could do what he liked.
Now, since this was technically his apartment building that he’s letting me stay in, he feels that he can come and go as he pleases. I know that it comes from a place of love. He just wants to make sure that I’m safe. He feels, as long as he has access to me, that he can keep bad things away.
Now with another attack on my life, he feels guiltier than ever. I don’t want him to feel that way. I’m doing fine, and Luca is here. But it still drives me a little bit nuts anyway.
Alexei stops and takes a moment to assess the situation. He spots Luca washing up in the kitchen and me still in my Pjs. Luca didn’t even bother putting on a shirt. It’s not like it’s notobvioushow we spent our night. He’s obviously rather displeased with the notion.
Who I sleep with is theonefight that I’ve managed to win with Alexei. To the point that he no longer mentions my sex life if he can help it.
What I do with my body is my business and that’s the end of the conversation. Though, for the first time in many years, I see that he’s fighting the desire to lock me into a chastity belt for the sake of it.
“Morning, Levine.” Luca says conversationally. “Coffee?”
“Don’t act like you live here.” Alexei retorts sharply.
“But I do, at least for now. Such a hospitable little ally that you are being.”
Luca shouldn’t needle him like that. Alexei has a good grip on his temper but that’s only going to stretch so far.
“Is that what we are now?” Alexei snarked, but he takes the coffee.
Something thawed in my chest as I slid back into my seat beside my brother.
“Do you have another word that you would like to be called?” Luca smirks. “Because I would happily offer up a few suggestions for a choice of nickname on your behalf, if you want.”
I can’t help myself. I lean over and whisper into my brother’s ear softly. “If you want me to just tell you who is bigger… I can, if that will speed all of this along?”
