“Marlene said that he always asks her when I’m working next. He asks personal questions, like if I’m single or if I live nearby.” Sophia swallowed hard. “He never buys anything; he just sits around and waits for me to show up. Marlene told him yesterday that I wouldn’t be coming in anymore if he didn’t stop showing up. I think that she meant it, too. He’ll cause me to lose my job, and I can’t let that happen.”
“And you think that showing up at work, where he’s possibly waiting for you, is the best way to keep your job?” Luca asked. “I’m sure that there are other bookstores that you could work in.”
The air between them felt heavier. Luca pushed off the counter and dragged a hand through his already unruly hair. “Why didn’t you tell me that part to begin with?” he asked.
“I didn’t want you to lose your shit,” she admitted. “You already agreed to let me stay here with you. I didn’t want you to change your mind and send me packing,” she admitted.
He let out his breath. “Sophia, that’s exactly the kind of thing you are supposed to tell me—whether I lose my shit or not.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I’m sorry, but I really need your help, and I really need to go into work to talk to Marlene.”
He nodded, “Well, you’re not going back there alone,” he insisted. “I’ll go with you, and we can both talk to Marlene about your stalker and her letting you keep your job.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she insisted. “Marlene has already said that if Peter comes back again, she’ll call the police herself.”
Luca’s eyes darkened. “No, if he comes back again, I’ll be there,” he growled.
Sophia reached out and touched his forearm, and it grounded her the way that it had earlier. “I just don’t want you getting into trouble because of me. Don’t you have to train or something?” she asked.
“I’m due a little time off, so you won’t get me into any trouble down at the gym,” he said firmly. “And you’re not a problem.” She searched his face for any sign that he was lying to her, and when she saw none, she nodded her agreement.
They ate breakfast in quiet comfort after she agreed to let Luca go with her to the bookstore. When they finished, Sophia set her fork down and looked around his kitchen. “I feel safe here,” she said. That was the truth, but she had a feeling that it had more to do with Luca being with her and not his house.
“I’m glad,” he breathed. Luca met her gaze, and she could see something protective and dangerous flickering behind his eyes. “You are safe here.” Sophia knew it was true, but hearing him say it was comforting. But somewhere deep inside of her, she knew that this new chapter of her life—of their lives, was only the beginning, and that scared the hell out of her.
LUCA
Luca knew that he might need to call in some backup, and he also knew that Rocco and Tony would help him in a heartbeat. He shot them both a text to meet him at the local bar later, and he’d explain everything.
Right now, he was going to have to take Sophia into the bookstore where she worked part-time and help her convince her boss to let her have some time off. There was no way that she was going in there to fall prey to Peter’s lying in wait. The only lucky break that he had gotten in all of this was that she was on summer break as a teacher, so he wouldn’t have to worry about getting her to work or Peter showing up there with a room full of kids.
They got into town a little past eleven in the morning. Sophia had protested that he was taking too long to get ready, but that was intentional on his part. He had sent Rocco down to the store to scout things out before he headed out with Sophia. Luca wasn’t taking any chances with her. After Rocco gave him the all clear, he drove Sophia down to the bookstore and hoped like hell that they wouldn’t have a run-in with Peter.
Luca parked two blocks down from Page & Bean, more out of instinct than logic. Sophia grumbled something about him being “Over the top,” and while he’d usually find her criticisms funny, he didn’t have time for that right now. He didn’t like parking in front of places anymore—not since fans had started recognizing his truck. Today, though, it wasn’t about fans. It was about sight lines, exits, and making sure that Sophia could get in and out without feeling like prey.
“You okay?” he asked as he shut off the engine.
Sophia nodded, though her fingers were twisted together in her lap. “Yeah. I just hate that this has become such a big thing. I didn’t want to become a bother, and now I have—to you and to my employer.”
“It won’t be for long,” he said firmly. “I promise.” He was probably making a promise that he wouldn’t be able to keep, but he couldn’t help himself. Sophia looked so worried, and even scared, that he said the words before thinking them through.
“I appreciate you saying that, but you can’t promise me that,” she almost whispered.
He stepped out of his truck first, scanning the sidewalks, parked cars, and even the reflections in the café windows. Nothing stood out to him, but that didn’t mean anything. Luca had learned the hard way that danger didn’t always announce itself.
He opened her door and placed a hand at the small of her back as they walked down the sidewalk to the bookstore. It wasn’t possessive—at least that’s what he told himself, but it was protective as hell. He worried that she’d pick up on how he was feeling, but Sophia didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned into him, and God, it felt good to have her pressed up against hisbody. It was something that he had been dreaming about for a damn long time now.
The bell above the bookstore door chimed softly when they stepped inside. The place smelled like espresso and paper, and Luca found the place warm, comforting, and deceptively safe. A woman with silver-streaked hair looked up from behind the counter and immediately zeroed in on Sophia.
“There you are,” she said, relief and worry seeming to tangle together. “I was hoping you wouldn’t forget to come by.”
“Marlene,” Sophia said, “this is Luca. I’m sorry that we’re so late. Luca wanted to make sure that Peter wasn’t hanging around waiting for me to show up.”
Marlene’s gaze shifted to him, assessing him. “I assume you’re the reason she finally agreed to take time off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that she’s being safe about this man stalking her now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Luca said politely. “And I appreciate you looking out for her here at work. It’s just not safe for you, Sophia, or your customers for her to come into work. I hope that you’ll keep her job open for her.”
Marlene snorted. “Someone has to watch over her. Come on, Soph, let’s talk in the back. You should come along too, Luca.”
