The phone went dead.
I looked at the screen and tried to call him back, but it didn't connect, and I kicked myself. I should have apologized. I should have said something to make him come home, but I hadn't.
When the fatigue started to set in, I fought against it in hopes that Luc would call me back, but he didn't and eventually, I closed my eyes and let exhaustion take over.
Chapter Forty
Stefan
Saturday morning, Mia and Dom had left the house for a run. Lydia had the day off and so I settled myself in the living room to study for a quiz. My mind kept wandering to last night. If Dante had not opened the door, Mia would have kissed me. I had been patient with her because that was what she needed.
Mia reminded me so much of Isa that it hurt, but I could heal and have the life I had dreamed of if Mia just gave in to me.
"What are you thinking about?"
Turning my head, I saw Dante standing there, arms folded across his chest.
"Just studying," I answered him.
He hummed before walking into the room and I tensed. Dante had been a part of the family for as long as I could remember and although Lucas might have looked after me because we were blood, it was easy to see who Luc considered his true brother.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Needed some things from Luc's study. Do you want to tell me what was going on last night?"
Closing the book, I looked at Dante properly. "I don't really see how it's your concern."
"It's my concern because while Luc's away, I'm keeping an eye on Mia."
"And what exactly is your concern?"
"You're too close to her, Stefan," Dante told me.
I let out a short, sharp laugh. "We're all pretty close to her."
"I know what I saw last night," Dante said, narrowing his eyes.
"And what was that?"
"You were going to kiss her."
"Actually, she was going to kiss me. What? Is she not allowed to date?"
"Not you," Dante said simply. He stood there like a statue, but I caught the twitch in his muscles.
"What? Because Lucas thinks that she belongs to him. Where is he, Dante? Not here. Nowhere near her. She spends time with me."
"He'll be back."
"Sure, and by that time she's not even going to care, is she?"
"Stefan, I am telling you not to mess with this."
"And I'm telling you that I'm not going to let this go. Look at what happened to her, Dante. You tell me that Isa didn't go through your head."
Dante dropped his gaze to the floor. "She isn't Isa."
"I know."
