“We’ve been summoned. Luca knows you’re here.”
“Of course he does. He ordered me to return,” Lorenzo says with an arrogant twinkle in his gaze, and the mental warfare for the position of Luca’s confidant reignites. It’s most likely a petty game to others, but right now, this is all we have that keeps us connected.
Of course, Lorenzo didn’t go out on a limb and risk coming here just to beat the shit out of me. His being here isn’t formeat all; it’s because of Luca’s orders.
“But I decided to give you a visit first after seeing that photo you posted on Instagram.”
“How do you know it was me?” I ask as I stand up. We both look worse for wear, but it is what it is.
“Because I know you, Dante,” Lorenzo says as he stands and gives me a once-over. “But perhaps not as well as I once thought.”
A tension ripples between us. I don’t know what to make of that comment. Is he implying he views me differently now?
But as quickly as the strange moment appeared, he blinks it away in the next breath. “We’re going in my car.”
And as abruptly as that, he turns to Lily and presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll return to your side soon.” He then looks at Romi. “I’ll pay for all damages, and I apologize for coming in so recklessly. This isn’t what Lily wanted.”
“Let me assure you, you’ll be paying double,” Romi berates. “And don’t give me a reason to hate you. I accept you becauseLily wants to be with you, but if you ever come after Dante like that again, you’ll be going through me first. Are we clear?”
I swallow hard, surprised by the way she defends me, and its impact. I’ve never once had someone do that, and I know I’m not deserving of it for all the evil I’ve done in my life. I’ve killed so many, tortured for fun. Played head games with more people than I can remember to turn them crazy, simply for entertainment.
But the way myCattivellabares her fangs to protect me makes me want to be a man worthy of her ferociousness.
Lorenzo carefully regards her, then me. He doesn’t say anything, but he simply nods, and I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch slightly, as if he's trying to hide a ghost of a smile.
Then Romi turns to me and cups my face, and her warmth draws my hand to pull her toward me.Mine.
Her brown eyes draw me in like they always do as she says, “I’m proud of you for speaking the truth.” And she gently kisses my split lip. “But I’m still mad at you.”
“You wouldn’t be my woman if you weren’t mad at me for something,” I say, kissing her once more. I expect her to argue and shrug me off withI’m not your anythingor something of the sort, but she doesn’t.
Instead, she steps aside and says, “Play nice with your brother.”
I look at Lorenzo, who’s already waiting at the door. I scan over the state of the apartment; it’s a fucking disaster, and I know I’ll be paying for it when I return, because there’s no way Romi can be this calm in a situation like this.
Then again, much like I’ve worn down all of her sharp edges, I think she’s done the same to me.
38
ROMI
“One beer and a glass of champagne, please,” I request from Shaun, my local bartender. He slides his gaze over to Lily. “And, no, it’s not like that. This one’s my friend.”
“I haven’t seen you for a while. Has someone finally strapped you down?” he asks with a sly grin.
I roll my eyes, and he busies himself getting our drinks.
Lily scans the bar. I know it’s not her usual type of place, but where she might’ve once been paranoid as to who might see her in such an establishment, she seems to settle in rather quickly, no longer scared of her family's reaction.
There are so many changes in my friend that I’d ignored. I thought perhaps Lorenzo was rubbing off on her in a positive way, and he was in many ways, but so much more was happening in her world than I realized.
I feel guilty for that, but I know the blame isn’t just on me. We both had a part to play.
Shaun places our drinks on the bar, and Lily and I do a silent toast before enjoying a hearty swallow.
“I’m sorry about Lorenzo. He said it wouldn’t get physical, but I should’ve known better. His brother triggers him. But it would appear they share the same sentiment.”
I sigh as I stare at the beer bottle. Watching them leave, bloody and bruised, didn’t feel great, but I know if Luca calls, they will always answer. Despite their differences, they’re both loyal to him. “I just want them to figure it out. They’re the only family they have left.”
