Dread coiled inside my stomach because I saw the anger flaring in his eyes, but I didn’t know if my sister could.
“No,” Phoenix said. “She has a bruise on her arm. Do you know how she got it?”
Dorian chuckled as he shoved his hand down in his slacks. “You know how clumsy your sister is.”
“I told you, Phoenix.”
I made sure he knew I held up my part of this charade. I tried to convince my sister that I got this bruise because of me, not him.
“Anyway, I’m sorry, but we have to go.” Dorian held up his cell phone. “Business calls.”
I didn’t believe he had business. He wanted to make sure I kept our secret.
I reached out and hugged my sister. “Please, let it go,” I whispered in her ear where only she could hear. “I’m fine. I promise.”
I needed her to back off.
When I let her go and she eyed me with concern. I knew this wasn’t the end of the conversation.
“Thanks for having us again,” Dorian said, grabbing both of our attention. “Dinner was amazing. Sorry we have to leave.”
“I love you, Sera,” she said, ignoring Dorian. “Make sure you call me. If you don’t expect a visit from me.”
“I love you too.”
Dorian grabbed my hand, then led me from the terrace. When we stepped back inside the house as Dorian led me toward the front door, I felt eyes on me. I knew who it was. And when I looked to my left, Sergio’s glare sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes flicked down to my arm where it was bruised, then moved back to Dorian who was oblivious to our interaction.
Fuck!
Chapter Seven
Sergio
She freezes when she sees me leaning against the wall near the library when she comes around the corner. It’s been about a week since I last seen her because I’ve been doing a few runs for the family behind my father’s back. So, we haven’t crossed paths. But Finley keeps an eye on her just to make sure no one else fucks with her. I can’t ask Kai to do it because he already gives me so much shit about lurking around her like a love starved puppy. And I don’t want to hear his mouth. He believes she’s a distraction. I don’t give a fuck what Kai thinks even though he’s right. She’s becoming something.
I shouldn’t be here. Not because she’s a distraction, or because I ditched third period again. Not even because the Dean’s breathing down my neck since he got a call from my pop aboutmy attendance. I shouldn’t be here because she’s too good for someone like me. But I can’t seem to stay away.
She eats lunch in the library alone. Corner table by the window, headphones in, book open with a pen in her hand, and a cold sandwich for lunch. It’s her routine. I’ve watched her from the hallway more times than I’ll admit. She hides away like she needs to escape to a world where no one exists but her. I want to be a part of that world.
So, I brought her food.
Not the cafeteria shit they feed us here. Real food. From Little Palermo—my favorite restaurant. The white paper bag is still warm with grease bleeding through the bottom. Rigatoni alla vodka, garlic knots, and a slice of tiramisu because I thought she’d like it. After the shock leaves her face, she walks toward me.
“What are you doing here?”
Her words are just above a whisper, but it’s like lightning moves through my entire body whenever she speaks.
I hold up the bag. “I got us some food.”
“Us?” Her brows pinch together. “Like you and me?”
She looks so fucking adorable with her braid wrapped around her head like a crown.
“Yes, Sera.” I push the library door open for her. “You and me.”
After a few moments of what looks like she’s deciding whether she should run or take me up on the offer, she steps inside the library. And at that moment, I know me and Seraphina will be inseparable.
“Sergio?”
