"What are you planning for your birthday, doll?" Amber asked him innocently, twirling her long hair around her index finger.
Luc didn't answer straight away and Cerb growled from where he sat on the floor.
"Nothing that involves you or you," Luc told us both eventually.
"We never were big on birthday celebrations," I commented. That was something that we brothers had in common. Birthdays were another day in the calendar even though our mother tried to make a fuss.
"You know how to reach me if you want me," Amber said, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Jesus, Amber," Dante said. "Desperate isn't a good look on anyone."
"Luc, I have the coffee," Mia said, joining us while carrying two cups.
"Good. We're leaving. Now," he told her.
He was short and sharp in his order, but Mia didn't bat an eyelid. Instead, she handed Dante his coffee and offered Luc a smile. It was gentle, warm and offered reassurance that everything was okay. My heart felt uncomfortable and I questioned why Luc deserved that from anyone let alone from Mia. Luc who destroyed anything that caused him the slightest inconvenience or irritation.
Luc put an arm around his girlfriend and pulled her close before they left without another word.
"Poor, Stefan," Amber said, focusing back on me now they had left. "You've got it bad."
I ripped my eyes away from the door and looked at Amber. She looked almost gleeful as she sipped from her cup.
"Leave me alone, Amber," I grumbled, done with company for the day. I shouldn’t have left the apartment.
"You still can't figure it out, can you?" Amber said and I gave her a confused look. "It's almost cute how stupid you are."
I went to clench my jaw, but the wiring stopped me and I hissed at the pain that shot through it. I was surprised that Luc's work hadn't led me to need more extensive surgery but both wrist and jaw would heal in time. I was more concerned about my wrist, considering that any comprehensive damage would see me derailed from my future career as a surgeon.
"That's more like it," Amber said, sensing the flare of anger.
"Stop talking in riddles, Amber," I said to her.
"Every woman loves a red blooded male, exactly like Luc. I mean it's pure instinct, right?"
"I'd like to think we've evolved more than that."
"Sure, whatever," she shrugged. "But we still like a man who’s willing to show us he can protect us. I mean look at what he's done to you and yet there doesn't seem to be a scratch on him."
"I have a lot more to lose than Luc by throwing a punch." My career path wasn't based on violence like Luc's. It was easy for Luc to resort to his fists, but I had to think first. It wasn't like I hadn't wanted to fight back.
"All I'm saying is maybe Mia likes a man who takes charge. Maybe if you were a bit more forward about your feelings. Take control..." Amber pushed her chair back and drained the last of her coffee before putting the cup on the table. She stood and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "But I guess that's not really you. I better get going, doll. Hope your jaw heals."
Amber gave me a wink and left me thinking over her words.
Maybe Mia liked a man who took charge. I had shown her respect, patience and kindness, whereas Luc just barged through life and took what he wanted. For once, I thought, maybe I needed to be more like my big brother.
I needed to wait until I was healed and then I would show Mia exactly what I wanted.
Chapter Fifty Four
Mia
Two weeks in Italy flew by with ease. Not the warmest of destinations at the end of January, but I was glad to be anywhere with Luc by my side. We’d spent most of our days strolling down beaches and piazzas, bundled up against the crisp weather. Yesterday we toured an old lemon grove, learning the history and drinking limoncello. We found small cafés where we drank coffee and spoke to locals, and Luc’s Italian was markedly better than my own considering he’d spent his life with Dante. I was improving though.
Sunday morning, Luc’s birthday, we finished a late breakfast at the hotel.
"What do you want to do today, love?" I asked. "The day is yours."
