Page 26

Luca

“I’m telling you Evan is safe. Tony took him to your house, just like you asked.” Marco grips the steering wheel, scowling at me. We’re in the parking lot of the hospital because I insisted on discharging myself. Marco isn’t happy about my decision. “This prison break is unnecessary,” he adds.

I scowl back at him. “Look, you insisted on driving, so drive.”

“I will,” he grumbles. “Just give me a second to get situated.” Marco looks as thrashed as I feel. He has cuts all over his face and a black eye, not to mention he still has the cast on his leg. He’s pushed the driver seat as far back as possible, but where he can still reach the steering wheel. The set up is awkward as fuck and probably unsafe. But he wouldn’t let me drive, so here we are. He gives me another surly glance, sticks the key in the ignition, and the engine purrs to life.

I peek up at the dark clouds in the sky, hoping they’re not a sign of some kind. “I realize you don’t understand why I’m worried, but I need to see for myself that Tony followed through. You know how he can be. He half-asses shit all the time. And Maria is still on the loose. She’s dangerous.” I ignore the pounding of my head and how weak I feel. I’m unable to fight the instinctive need to check on Evan.

“I’ve never seen you like this about a guy,” Marco mutters. “It’s weird.”

I’ve never felt this way about a guy.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say that, but I hold back. I’m not ready to share my feelings for Evan with anyone. Feelings can be so fickle. Plus, I have no idea how Evan feels about me. I don’t want to make some grand announcement, and then have Evan make it clear he only likes me for my dick.

Marco fumbles with the automatic shifter, accidentally turning on the windshield wipers. “Shit. I’m all thumbs today.”

I scowl, gesturing to his cast. “Are you sure I shouldn’t drive?”

He mutters something under his breath, and backs out of the parking space. “You have a brain injury. No, you shouldn’t drive.”

“You have a cast on your leg,” I sputter. “What makes you a better bet?”

He leans toward me. “What part of brain injury isn’t sinking in?”

I narrow my eyes. “Watch your tone, Marco.”

He gives an exasperated growl. “Well, you’re not listening. You could black out at any moment. You’re supposed to be in bed, resting. The surgeon looked like he was going to have a stroke when you said you were self-discharging. I thought he was going to latch onto your leg and you’d have to drag him out the hospital with you.”

“He was overreacting.”

“Was he? Because you have a brain injury , Luca.” He shakes his head and pulls out onto the main road. “And if you really thought there was nothing wrong with leaving the hospital this early, why’d you wait until your family left before making your escape?”

I grimace. “You know how overly protective Mama is. I didn’t want to hear a lecture. I just want to sleep in my own bed.”

Preferably with Evan in it.

“Besides,” I continue, “I need to handle Maria and Tommy.”

“We’ll hunt Maria down soon enough. She’s more wily than Tommy. That dumbass headed straight to the airport. Vito and the guys snagged him the minute he arrived.” He grunts. “He’s already enjoying the fine accommodations in the Fun Room.”

I smirk at the name we use for our holding room-slash-torture chamber. It’s really just the basement of my home, soundproofed so no one can hear the screams. My father had it built decades ago, and many traitorous slobs have died in that cold, dank room. I look forward to Maria and Tommy joining those dearly departed souls.

“Vito said Tommy was sniveling and blaming everything on Maria,” Marco says.

I snort dismissively. “Of course he was. He’s a spineless weasel. He was thinking with his dick. I have no doubt that bitch came up with the idea, but he went along with it. He needs to pay for his disloyalty, same as her.”

“They will. But you don’t have to rush into that. You really do need to think about your health, boss.” He glances over, a line between his dark brows. “Once we get Maria too, then you can do your thing. But until then, your health is what matters.”

I close my eyes, resting my aching head against the back of the seat. I know he’s right. I don’t feel good. I’m weak and I can’t think clearly. I need sleep, but I’m too driven to be near Evan right now to rest. “Once I see Evan is okay, I’ll rest.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I feel like shit.”

“I knew it,” he growls. “You’re so stubborn.”

“Pot calling the kettle black. You should be resting too.”

“Can’t.” He blows out a harsh breath as fat rain drops begin to pelt to windshield. “That shit was too close for comfort. I haven’t been that worried in a long time.”

I nod. “Yeah. Wasn’t sure we’d make it out alive. Danny’s okay, right? Isabella said he took a bullet to the shoulder.”

“He’s fine. It was more of a graze than anything. Could have been much worse if Vincent hadn’t caught wind of what Maria was up to. His guys arrived just in time.” Marco grimaces. “Hate to say it, but we owe him one.”

“That’s fine. He could have joined them, but he was loyal. He deserves to be rewarded for that loyalty.” The city blurs past the window, smeared with rain. My head pulses in time with every bump in the road, a slow, nauseating drumbeat. I lean my temple against the cool glass, though it does nothing to dull the ache stitched behind my eyes. The bandage itches, tight where the staples bite my scalp.

I just want to be home, but Marco’s driving like an old man. Ten and two, eyes locked on the wet road. I want to nag him to speed up, but I don’t. We get on each other’s nerves, but I owe my old friend my life. Without him in that car with me, I might be lying on a slab in the morgue. I misjudged Maria’s audacity. While I was uneasy about Maria’s relationship with Tommy, I’d trusted they were smart enough to know they got more out of being my friend rather than my enemy.

Apparently I was wrong.

That was a dangerous slip on my part. In my line of work, you don’t get many do-overs. I forgot, just for a moment, that greedy assholes always want more. Nothing is ever enough for a woman like Maria. I suspect that because she got away with murdering her husband, she thought she was untouchable. Smarter than the rest of us.

She’ll pay for that arrogance with her life.

When we finally pull into the long driveway of my home, I sit up straighter and nod to the guard at the gate. I need to project confidence and strength right now. The men will be uneasy, knowing someone dared make a move against me. That’s why I need to handle Maria and Tommy swiftly and without mercy. Everyone needs a reminder: you come for me, you die.

At the front door, Williams greets us, appearing surprised. “Mr. Luca, I didn’t expect you home this soon.” His gray eyes inspect me focusing on my bandaged head. “I hope you plan on lots of bedrest, sir. That’s the only way to heal quickly.”

“I won’t leave my bed the rest of the day. How’s that sound?” I’m hoping I can coax Evan to join me. His presence will make bedrest much more enjoyable. Not that I’m in any shape to have sex, but his nearness will help me relax.

“That sounds like an excellent plan.” Williams almost cracks a smile. Almost. “The rest of the family are napping. When they wake up, I’ll be sure they know you’re safely home.”

“Excellent.” I move slowly past him, doing my best to keep my balance. I’m definitely dizzy, but falling on my ass isn’t an option. “Marco, I think you should stay in one of the guest rooms. It’s safer here than at your place.”

Marco gives a tired laugh. “I’m not going to argue. I’m exhausted. Lead me to the nearest bed.”

“Just follow me,” Williams says in a pleasant tone. “I’ll get you settled in.”

“We’ll talk later,” I call out to Marco’s disappearing back.

“Yes, sir,” he returns with a cocky grin over his shoulder.

My feet feel like lead as I make my way up the staircase. I want to go straight to Evan’s room, but first I want to wash my face, brush my teeth, and change into pajamas. Before leaving the hospital, I changed back into my suit, although I ditched the blood soaked dress shirt for a T-shirt one of the nurses was kind enough to get me.

When I enter my room, I glance longingly at my bed. But then I pull up short when I see Evan lying there sound asleep. Shocked to see him in my room, my heart stutters with pleasure. I inch closer to the bed, hoping my injured brain isn’t hallucinating his presence. He seems real enough as he hugs my pillow, softly snoring.

I’m so relieved and happy to see him, I can’t help smiling. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning as I stare down at him. Not only is he safe, he’s literally waiting for me in my bed. He couldn’t have known I was coming home, so that means he’s here in my bed because what? He missed me?

I’m unprepared for the surge of heat and affection that throbs through me at the idea of that. Evan, must have been worried about me and so he crawled into my bed. I can think of no other reason he’d be in my room. As I study him, I desperately want to touch him. But instead, I hobble into my bathroom to wash up. I take a very quick shower, making sure not to get the bandage on my head wet. Then I towel off and change into a pair of silk boxers.

Feeling human again, I go to sit on the edge of the bed, next to Evan. He’s still sleeping, his lips slightly parted. I like watching Evan sleep. I do it often after we fuck. Once he falls asleep, I always stay awake and study his handsome face. I don’t remember ever doing that with any of my past lovers. This thing with Evan, it’s different. It always has been, even since the first night we met.

I wince when I think about how close I came to ruining our connection. The memory of how hurt he looked that morning when I told him who I was and what my plans for the Ice Hawks were guts me. All of that crap feels like a million years ago now. I don’t know how we managed it, but somehow we’ve moved past all the awful things I did to Evan. I probably don’t deserve his forgiveness, but it feels like he has given it to me.

I reach out an gently push a lock of hair off his forehead. His eyes flutter open, and my chest squeezes. He looks confused at first, then he widens his eyes.

“Luca?” he whispers, eyes fastened on my face. His eyes flick to the bandage on my head, he blinks, and then quickly sits up. “What are you doing here? You… what… shouldn’t you still be in the hospital?”

“Probably,” I say quietly. “But I wanted to be home.”

“Right.” He looks embarrassed. “Sorry I’m in your bed. I was really worried about you.”

“Were you?” I love hearing him say that. I’ve never been a person who liked displays of affection unless they came from family. But I definitely like it when Evan shares his feelings with me.

He grimaces. “Nobody would tell me anything. Tony was very evasive about what happened.”

“Well, I’m home now,” I say smoothly. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

He looks unconvinced. “You don’t really look fine.”

“All I need is sleep.”

He nods. “I… I can go back to my room, if you’d prefer that?”

“No,” I rumble. “You’re right where I want you.”

He looks pleased and he scoots over, making room for me. He pulls back the covers, and I swallow the lust that nudges me at the sight of him in nothing but black briefs. I climb into the bed and the sheets are warm from his body heat. I lie down with a groan, and he immediately moves closer, his warm skin pressing mine.

“Are you in pain?” He looks worried as he studies me. “I feel like you should still be at the hospital.” He lightly brushes the tips of his fingers over the bruising on my body, and anger ripples through is green eyes.

“I’m sore and my head hurts, but considering what happened, I’m lucky to be alive.” I study his tense face, looking for any sign he’d have preferred a different outcome. All I see is worry.

“I didn’t think anyone would dare attack you.”

I shrug. “There will always be people who want to challenge me.” I clench my jaw. “And they’ll pay with their lives for trying.”

“God,” he exhales as if stressed. “I truly don’t understand the world you live in.”

“I know.”

He hesitates. “At least you’re home, right?” He’s trying to be positive, but I can see the strain on his face as he takes in my bruises.

“I’m okay, Evan,” I try to reassure him. “I’ve been through much worse.”

He shivers. “God, I believe you, but that doesn’t make this any easier.”

I smile and touch his cheek. “You truly do care about me, don’t you?”

He doesn’t answer immediately, but then he says quietly, “Yeah. Does that make you uncomfortable?”

“No. Why would it?”

He shrugs. “This is just sex, remember?” His voice is too casual, which tells me what I need to know.

I hold his gaze. “I think we both know it’s more, don’t we?” I wait for his response, my nerves jangling. While I suspect he’s on the same page as me, I can’t be sure unless he tells me.

He doesn’t say anything, he simply sinks down and rests his head on my chest. He caresses his fingers down my pecs, turning his head to kiss my flesh. He inhales the scent of my skin, and then exhales a warm shaky breath.

“You can tell me how you feel,” I coax, praying he doesn’t clam up now. I’m not sure I’ll have the courage later to press the issue.

“I’m afraid to admit to how I feel,” he says gruffly.

“Why?”

“Then it makes it real.”

I know exactly what he means, but it’s gotten to the point where I can no longer ignore my feelings for him. I no longer want this thing we have to be temporary. I don’t want him here because I’ve threatened him. I want him to be here because he can’t bear the thought of being away from me. Perhaps I want too many things from him that I can never have.

I clear my throat, feeling uncharacteristically nervous. “Would it be so bad if it was… real?”

“God, how would this work, Luca?” He sounds like he’s in pain. “We’re so different. Our worlds are so different.”

I know I have to tread carefully here. I wish my head wasn’t pounding like a bongo drum because it makes it difficult to think straight. I need the perfect words to make him stay with me. But I can’t think what those words might be. Poetic expression escapes me at the moment. I’ve never before wanted a lover to stay in my life permanently. This whole thing is new to me. I’m afraid I’ll fuck it up before it really even has a chance to start.

“Do you want to be with me, Evan?” My voice wobbles and I’m embarrassed by how insecure I sound. “Because, if you do, then that’s all that matters.”

“You really believe that?” He sits up on his elbow, his jaw clenched. “I doubt it’s that easy.”

I study him, pushing down the desire to force him to bend to my will. I’m a man who’s used to getting what he wants by whatever means necessary. I’ve threatened him and harassed him into being in my life up to this point. But I’m done with that. I need Evan to choose me because that’s what he wants.

I feel tense as I say, “If you want to go, you can go. If you want to leave me, you can leave me. I won’t stop you, and I won’t hurt you if you run.”

His eyes flicker. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.” My throat is so tight, I can barely force the words out.

I can see he’s confused. “Is that what you want?”

My pride screams at me to say yes. I hold his gaze, struggling with what I want and what my ego thinks I should do. But as I stare into his green eyes, the thought that it could be the last time makes it hard to breathe. My final thought before I blacked out in the car crash was Evan, and my first thought when I woke up was Evan.

“No,” I admit hoarsely, fighting through my pride. “That’s the last thing I want.”

He slumps ever-so-slightly, showing me how much my response meant to him. Then he lays down again and rests his head on my chest like before. He has one hand placed lightly over my heart. I’m sure he can feel how quickly it’s beating.

“Do you really think it could work between us?” he asks.

I slip my arm around his waist, pulling him closer. “Of course. I want it to work, so it’ll work.”

He gives a soft laugh. “That’s a very Luca like answer.”

I’m happy he sounds less serious now. I kiss his hair, and say quietly, “There was one second today, during the attack, where I was afraid I’d never see you again. I didn’t like that idea. Not one bit.”

He shivers. “God. I don’t even want to think about that.”

I clear my throat. “Stay with me, okay? Stay with me because you want me, not because you’re afraid of me.”

He sighs. “I’m not afraid of you anymore. I’m only afraid of losing you. Losing this. Whatever this is.”

I can’t help smiling, then wince because smiling hurts. In fact, my entire body aches from head to toe. Every inch of me throbs with pain. This has been a horrendously awful day. But despite that, it’s turning out pretty well. Sure, I almost croaked today, but that traumatic experience brought Evan and me closer together.

As Mama always says: Dal fango nascono i fiori.

From the mud, flowers are born.