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"It's just me."
"Luca!"
His tall frame blocked the doorway, his dark eyes filled with concern. Relief washed over me at the sight of him unharmed, a rare smile gracing his lips as he crossed the room to stand beside me. He was unhurt, as far as I could see. I flung my arms around him and hugged him tightly. He returned my embrace, and I melted into the solid reassurance of him.
"I was so worried about you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "What happened?"
Luca pulled back and looked at me, his expression grim. "Your Irish got the girl out. Teagan is dead."
Your Irishandthe girl--the distinction was not lost on me. I'd drawn a line in the sand tonight, and Luca looked just as conflicted about his position on that line as I was.
"Was anyone hurt?"
Luca shook his head. “A few. It was a bloodbath, Em."
"Alfie?"
"I don't know."
The bookshop was quiet except for the sound of the rain against the windows. I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the dark, rainy night. The streetlights cast a dull glow on the empty sidewalks. The street was deserted, and the rain seemed to keep everyone indoors. It was as if the whole world was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
I wrapped my arms around myself and sighed, leaning against the cold glass. It had been hours since I'd left Alfie in the bowels of the mansion, and there had been no word from him since.
My mind drifted to Alfie, to his sea glass eyes and dark hair, to the warmth of his hands on my skin and the way he made me feel when we were together. I had been so scared tonight and seeing him alive and whole had made me realize that I didn't want to be apart from him. No matter how dangerous it was, no matter how risky it was for us to be together. I couldn't stand the thought of being apart from him.
A warm hand settled on my shoulder. Luca had come up behind me and was watching the rain, too. There were no platitudes to be offered, no hollow reassurances; we both knew the stakes. The only unknown was the score, and where we'd stand when the dust settled. The silence stretched out between us, but I found comfort in it, somehow. He was the only other person in the world who understood what I was going through. I could feel the weight of the pistol still tucked in my waistband, and my stomach lurched as the gravity of what I'd done tonight truly hit me. I'd betrayed the family, helped our enemies infiltrate the mansion, aided in the rescue of their captive. If Lorenzo ever found out about this, there would be hell to pay.
Luca's voice broke the silence. "It's going to be okay, Emilia."
I turned to him, questioning. "How can you say that, Luca? We just helped the enemy infiltrate the mansion. If Lorenzo finds out about this--"
"He won't find out. I won't let him."
His voice was steady and sure, and I found myself believing him. I leaned into his embrace, letting the warmth of his body envelop me. We stood together for a moment, silent, and I closed my eyes and relaxed into his embrace.
"You're safe, Emilia," he murmured, his breath warm against my neck. "I'll keep you safe, I promise."
I nodded and stepped back, meeting his gaze. His eyes were dark with emotion, and his fingers trembled slightly against my skin. We were standing close now, too close, and I could feel the tension crackling in the air between us.
"Thank you."
Luca shook his head. "Don't thank me," he murmured. "I would do anything for you, Emilia. Anything."
His words hung between us, heavy with meaning. My heartbeat surged as I looked up at him, his dark eyes filled with intensity.
I swallowed hard. "Luca..."
The door to the shop chimed. I turned to see who'd entered, but before I could, Luca's hand shot up to my cheek, and he kissed me.
Luca leaned down and captured my lips with his in a searing kiss that stole the breath from my lungs. I froze. I was vaguely aware of the sound of someone swearing under their breath, but then Luca's other hand slid down my spine to my lower back, and he pulled me close.
The sudden warmth of his mouth pressed against mine was shocking. Pliant and soft, but with a razor's edge of desperation that sent my heart racing. Wrong. This was wrong. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. I could only feel, his hands on my body and his lips on mine. My knees buckled, but he held me close, his arms wrapping around me like a vise.
"The fuck's going on here?" Angel demanded from the doorway.
Luca broke the kiss. His eyes were wide as he stared at me, his pulse beating visibly in his throat. His hand was still curved along my cheek, and his fingers tightened imperceptibly. Then he turned towards Angel, dropping his hand to grasp mine. "What do you want, Angel?"
Angel's eyes fell to our linked hands. A bloodied bandage was tied around his bicep, and he looked primed and ready for a fight. He took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "What areyoudoing with her?"
