I gagged on the stench of his breath as he leaned in. Reeling back and wrinkling my nose in disgust, I shoved him, hard, to the side and entered his apartment uninvited yet again.
“You did knock this time, I’ll give you that,” he said. Then he shut the door and turned to face me. “But are you ever going to wait for me to ask you to come inside? I find it odd you think it’s so acceptable to go around–”
“Areyouever going to shut up?” I snapped.
His grin broadened.
“Are you ever going to tell me your name?” he asked and I froze. So he’d had time to think about our little chat already, had he?
“I’m here to extend an invitation,” I told him.
He cocked a brow but didn’t say a word so I continued.
“For you to bring the Bexleys to House Avus tonight,” I said. “For dinner.”
His smile vanished.
“House…Avus,” he repeated.
The muscles in his abdomen tensed and I cleared my throat as I turned away.
“From Milo, the Heir,” I rushed on. “He considers himself Adrian’s friend. I think you’ve met him?”
“I have. Have you?”
“I told him her family might be in danger so he wants to meet with them and, apparently, you. I’ll come get you this evening around eight.”
I strode past him again and made a break for the door but, before I could reach it, his hand shot out and gripped mine. I stopped, gaze shooting to the contact, as he turned to face me.
“Who are you?” he repeated. This time his tone was almost desperate.
I frowned and reached down. With my other hand, I peeled his fingers off of me. Then I looked up to meet his gaze.
“My name is Olympia,” I said and then I left, pulling open the door and letting it shut behind me.
I headed down the stairs and out onto the street as quickly as I could. I tried to ignore the strange knot in my chest that had no reason for being there. I’d told him who I was. He’d either know me or he wouldn’t. I imagined if he did, it wouldn’t be for anything positive given my history with Adrian, but it shouldn’tmatter. Itdidn’tmatter. So why did I feel like smashing something all of a sudden?
I paused by the stairs to take a breath.
Stupid, stupid, this is so stupid.
My hands clenched at my sides as I resisted the urge to punch something.
You rarely are, Olympia,a voice that was not my own replied.
My head shot up, eyes darting around as if someone had spoken aloud. They hadn’t. I’d known who it was the moment he entered my mind, regardless of my own denial.
Luca,I said his name and felt a warmth flow through the bond I did my best to shut off.
Olympia,he answered.
I didn’t mean to reach out. I wasn’t trying to contact you.
Which means you lost control. How very unlike you. What happened?
Don’t do that,I snapped and turned toward the stairs. I began to ascend as quickly as I could, as if I thought I could outrun this, get away from the man in my mind.Don’t care.
But I do care. I always have.
