Page 60 of Veil of Obsession

“I just wanted to hear your voice. Is it such a crime?” I decide to tease her, and she lets out an irritated sigh in response.

“Lucio.”

“Yes?” I wait for what she’s going to say, but it’s not what I expect.

“Fuck off.”

“I was expecting a love confession, you know,” I tell her, resting my head against the headrest of the couch.

“Well, you’re more stupid than I took you for,” she bites back.

“Ouch. And here I thought you were obsessed with me.”

She sighs again, this time more impatient. “Just because I find you interesting doesn’t mean I find you smart.”

“You didn’t tell me that you’re the niece of Stefano Gambi.” I slip that little fact in.

She seems to pause for a beat considering what I might mean by bringing up her uncle.

She clears her throat before asking, “Why would I tell you who my uncle is?”

23

Princess

Lucio makes a noise in the back of his throat before answering. “I just thought you would have told me about your family.”

I still can’t believe he called me. But it’s better than just sitting here and thinking about the way my life is practically over.

“No,” I say as I type in my passcode.

0508DNR.

The screen flickers alive, and I have to blink so my eyes can adjust to the light. Being in the dark is definitely going to damage my eyes, but who the fuck cares? I already wear glasses most days.

“No?” he repeats.

Sighing, I set my phone on the table and put it on speaker. “Yes, Lucio. No. Ever heard of the word?”

He seems to find it amusing because he lets out a deep chuckle before saying, “I can’t say I have.”

Lucio’s sitting in his living room, his phone held up to his ear with one hand, and the other hand is running through his hair.

“Why did you call me?” I ask him.

“I was bored. And you’re more interesting than staring at my apartment wall.”

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rolled my eyes in the five minutes that I’ve been on this damn call.

“I didn’t take you for one to stay at home and just sit on your couch.”

“So youdohave cameras in my apartment. Where are they?” He straightens up on the couch and looks around.

“Look up at the light fixture right in front of you.”

I click through to another camera that gives me a better angle. He gets up from the couch and looks around toward where I told him to.

“A little to the left.”