Page 45 of Arranged

“I can’t believe she’s quiet,” Rafael whispered into my ear, startling me.

Usually, surprising me like that wasn’t possible, but Luca always had me distracted.

“I know. It’s a miracle,” I whispered back. “You should go in. Talk to her. It’s better that we don’t overwhelm her again.”

Rafael inclined his head and entered the room.

I almost expected Jessica to start screaming again, but she didn’t. Luca left the bottle next to the chair and shot Rafael what seemed to be a warning look before leaving.

“Good job,” I said.

“You know you don’t always have to do things the way you were taught, right?” Luca glared at me. “Not everything is resolved with violence.”

“I guess I now have you to remind me of that. But violence usually works much better. For most people, anyway. Even women like Jessica. They tend to know exactly what they’re doing, and they’re only playing innocent and scared to get what they want.”

“Jessica isn’t one of them. I don’t think she knows anything.”

“We’ll see.”

He was quiet, just watching me as if he was waiting for something.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.

“Nothing.” His brow was furrowed as he walked away from me.

Damn, I really needed to develop mind-reading abilities.

Or maybe I could just ask.

I ran after him. “Luca, wait.”

His shoulders tensed as he turned to me.

“Thank you for your help,” I said.

“So you’re not mad at me?”

“Mad at you? Why would I be mad?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. My father would’ve been furious if I tried to step in like that or if I told him what I told you.”

“I’m not like him.” I placed my hand on his arm, squeezing gently. “You can tell me whatever you want.”

“I didn’t get that impression when you almost shot me.”

“I’m sorry about that. I guess what I mean is that you can tell me things like this and make suggestions. If you keep screaming at me that I should fuck off and throwing things at me, I don’t think I can tolerate that.”

He bit down on his lip, the corners of his lips lifting up.

It was the most adorable look.

I didn’t think I’d ever be able to be too mad at him when he looked like that.

But I’d better not tell him that.