I kept my expression neutral. Bored, even. "I'm following Father's orders. Watching her. Making sure she doesn't cause problems. We've become friendly. It makes my job easier when she's cooperative."
"Friendly." He didn't sound convinced. "Is that what we're calling it?"
"What exactly are you implying, Luca?"
"I'm not implying anything. I'm stating facts. I've seen the way you look at her. The way she looks at you. The amount of time you spend together. " He moved closer.
"Is there anything else, or are we done making baseless accusations?" I didn't give him the pleasure of a response from me.
"They're not baseless. I have eyes. I have instincts. And both are telling me that something is going on between you and that girl." His voice hardened. "Don Salvatore wouldn't be pleased if he knew his son was touching his future wife. Wouldn't be pleased at all."
"Then it's good nothing is going on. Just your paranoid imagination working overtime."
"Is it?" He stared at me for a long moment. "Friendly is acceptable, Kai. Even useful. But anything more than that? Anything inappropriate? That would be a problem. A very serious problem. One that would have consequences for you. And for your sister."
The threat against Lia made my hands clench into fists. But I kept my face blank.
"There's nothing inappropriate happening. It's all business. All professional. You're seeing problems that don't exist."
"Am I?" He headed for the door. "Less than two weeks until Don Salvatore returns. I suggest you use that time to examineyour priorities. To remember what's at stake. Because if I'm right about what I'm seeing—if there is something happening between you and that girl—it won't end well. For anyone."
He left, closing the door behind him.
I stood there for a long moment, trying to control the rage building in my chest.
He knew. Maybe he didn't have proof, but he knew. And it was only a matter of time before he gathered enough evidence to take to my father.
I pulled out my phone, texted Marco: We have a problem. Luca is suspicious. How's the case progressing? Do we have enough yet?
His response came immediately: Close but not there yet. Father Benedetto wants more concrete evidence of the Council violations. Maybe another month.
We don't have another month. My father returns in less than two weeks.
Then you need to cool things down with the girl. Whatever's happening between you two, it needs to stop. Now.
I stared at the message. Knew he was right. Knew the smart thing—the only thing—was to put distance between Aria and me until my father returned and left again.
But I didn't know if I could do it. Not now. Not after having her in my arms again. Not after being seconds away from finally having her the way I'd been fantasizing about for weeks.
My phone buzzed again.
Kai? You still there? Tell me you understand what I'm saying. Tell me you're going to back off until we have the evidence we need.
I typed back slowly: I understand what you're saying.
That's not the same as agreeing to do it. Marco responded almost immediately like he could read right through my words.
I know.
You're going to get yourself killed. You're going to get her killed. And you're going to get Lia caught in the crossfire. Is that what you want?
He wasn't asking I knew, I ran my hands through my messy hair before typing.
Of course not.
Then back the fuck off. Be smart about this.
I didn't respond. Couldn't respond. Because the truth was, I didn't know if I could be smart about this anymore.
