“Are you really just going to gawk at me all day?”
“Are you really going to keep lying and pretending like you weren’t trying to drown yourself?” he asks flatly.
“Nice talk.” I turn on my phone as I flop back against the pillow. The messages chime one after another as I read over them. The one that catches my attention is from Everett.
Everett: You sent your boyfriend to beat me up. We’re really done.
There’s a selfie of him, his face battered and bruised. When I look at Luca, there’s an unreadable stony expression on his face, but it’s his damaged knuckles that confirm it. But I didn’t need the proof. I already know. I slide out of the bed and stand in front of him, holding the phone up to his face and ask anyway, “Did you do this?”
He doesn’t attempt to hide it. “Yes.”
“Why, Luca?” Everett’s not my favorite person but I don’t want Luca punching him. I just want all of them to stop. “Do you think fighting and beating everyone up is the answer? Did it make you feel better? Because it sure as fuck isn’t helping me.”
Luca reaches forward and pulls me onto his lap. I try to get up, but he holds me on. When I settle against him, his finger rubs along my cheekbone. “I heard what he said to you.”
I’m unsure why it embarrasses me that Luca heard. Maybe because it confirms what my dad said. Everett was using me. Is Luca too? “You still shouldn’t have done that. It doesn’t fix anything.”
“He’s lucky I didn’t kill him.” His eyes close as he leans forward, feathering a soft kiss on my mouth as he says, “I was going to. The only reason I didn’t is because I figured you wouldn’t forgive me.”
Um. Do I say thank you or not? I believe Luca would’ve killed Everett knowing him. “I’m glad you didn’t.” And I really don’t want him to go do it later. “Please stop punching everyone who pisses you off.”
“He hurt you, not me.”
“Exactly, so don’t go after him again. I told you I don’t need you to fight my battles. And I don’t need a babysitter. I had a lot to drink. I’m fine.” I climb off of him.
He waits a few seconds before he states, “You didn’t have that much to drink.”
I avoid responding to the actual statement. “You really have the stalker thing down.”
“Ivy, look at me.”
Here we go. It’s a minute before I turn to face him. “Just promise you’ll tell me. I don’t care if you’re mad at me, if you hate me, just tell me if it gets too loud.” He reaches for my wrist, his finger stroking over my cut. “Promise me.”
“Yes. I promise. I said I would. But I need you to back off. Like now.” I yank my arm away and drop on the side of my bed. He walks out of the room without another word.
That was way too easy. Why do I suspect he’ll be back soon?
“Ms. Walker,” Anthony appears in the doorway.
I’m always being watched it feels like. “Zachary and your father are both out for the day and won’t return until tomorrow. Did you want Pattie to prepare you a meal or would you like to order in?”
“I’ll order in. Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” He leaves as fast as he appeared.
I power off my phone and toss it on the floor. At least I can still shut that noise off.
71
LUCA
There’s a knock on my door. Cain reluctantly steps in. “Hey, I wanted to stop by and talk for a minute.”
“About what? How I killed Remy or how I’m going to lose Ivy? Because I don’t want to discuss either.” It’s taken everything I have not to go back to her house. Since I walked out of her bedroom yesterday, she’s the only thing I’ve thought of. So, I’ve been working on a drawing to recall every detail of her.
“No, man,” Cain folds his arms over his chest. “I’m just as responsible for what happened to Remy as you are. It was just easier to blame you than hold myself accountable. He should’ve never played Mercy. No one should.”
“Agreed.”
