My head snaps back into focus, and I tug my hand gently from his, suddenly concerned with propriety. I don’t want to kick Shelby while she’s down. And frankly, I need some air. This place is making me suffocate on desire.
Luca’s face shoots to mine, and he takes my hand in his again. He’s angry.
“She came to my business and fucked my uncle in front of everyone I know. I think I can hold your hand. Yeah?” His tone is harsh.
He’s different than the Luca I’ve come to know. This one’s meaner, and although I know it’s the stress over what’s happening, I’m not that girl. It’s better he learns the lesson now.
I look down at our joined hands and back to him.
“You can watch your fucking tone with me.” I raise my eyebrows, and he immediately smirks. “And yes, I get it. If you want to hold my hand, I’m not telling you no. But next time, I might bite. Yeah?” I throw his words back at him.
He nods, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Forgive me, Angel?”
“Only because you’re cute.” I smile, accepting his apology.
Luca turns his attention back to a very surprised Matteo.
“Answer me. I asked you a question.”Dick.I squeeze his hand.
“Sorry, yeah…downstairs. The one with the belts.”
I watch Luca’s face visibly pain.
“Has anyone spoken to her since you called me?” Luca’s voice is cold.
“No, she just wanted to see you. She just keeps asking for you.”
Matteo’s eyes shift to me, and he looks apologetic. It’s harder to hear than I expected. I would never tell him not to help, but deep down, I don’t want him to. That realization makes me feel like a monster.
Luca turns to me and pulls me into him, staring into my eyes.
“This is when you have to choose to trust me, Angel. Are you listening?” I nod. “Sempre, Angel.” His voice is soothing and calm, which is the opposite of what I’m feeling.
I’m sending him in to care for the woman he’s married to, to be the shoulder she needs to lean on. I can get past the envy I feel; it’s the hatred that’s rocking me. I hate her, and I’m not sure what I’m capable of if she makes a play for what’s mine, regardless of her circumstance.What am I becoming?
I look into Luca’s eyes and nod my understanding. For a moment, I fear that he sees my worry, but instead of questioning, he kisses my forehead and walks past me toward the stairs that lead down to the private rooms.
“Gretchen, right?” Matteo speaks to the back of my head because I haven’t taken my eyes off where Luca disappeared.
Swiveling my head back, I stare at him for a moment and then begin walking to the bar. “Buy me a really stiff drink, Matteo.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He jogs to catch up with me, and I snag a barstool and perch on it.
“Double gin and tonic, two limes,” I say to the bartender, who quickly gets to work making my request.
Matteo sits next to me, and I feel as awkward as he looks. I try for polite conversation first.
“So, how long have you known Luca?”
The bartender serves Matteo a water as he sets a skeleton key on the counter.
“Most of my life. It’s crazy to think that I used to follow him and Dom around the neighborhood when they were all of fifteen and I was only around eight.”
A look of surprise graces my face.
“You were eight? Your parents didn’t mind you hanging out without supervision? What if some horrible person tried to hurt you?”
Matteo laughs.
