“No worse than it was for me, the one who got strip-searched by an overzealous cop,” I point out.
He grinds his teeth so hard it’s a wonder they don’t all crumble to dust.
“For fuck’s sake, Luka, you know better than to piss off the press. They’re like honey badgers once they get their teeth into a juicy story.”
I roll my eyes. I’m not a fucking idiot. Sure, I’d had a few drinks and smoked a few joints, but what happened wasn’t my fault, and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
“So you’d prefer it if I stayed here, under house arrest like Chiara?”
He huffs. “No, of course not. But be more careful! Thanks to your bullshit, Fina’s had to call in a ton of favors to bury the story. It’s lucky we had a contact there who paid off the cops to drop the charges.”
Knowing I won’t face charges is a relief. Martin said as much, but by the time he got me out of lockup, my head was about to explode and I could barely focus on tying my shoelaces.
“What happened to Chiara?” I ask once he’s finished ranting.
His fist clenches. “Someone took her on the way home shortly after the feds raided the office.”
Something else I was unaware of, and one more sign I’m not considered a member of this family. Not that I say so. What’s the point?
“Who took her?” I try not to let any emotions bleed into my voice in case he suspects how much I care. Angelo’s already angry that I slept with Chiara. Not that he has a leg to stand on since their marriage is bullshit.
“We don’t know yet.” He doesn’t elaborate, and when he glances at his watch, I realize I’m being dismissed like one of his minions. “Keep a low profile for now, Luka. I’d prefer it if TMZ didn’t splash us all over the internet.”
“I’ll do my best not to inconvenience you, brother.”
He rolls his eyes before dismissing me. I head to the bland guest room I use when I stay here. I’ll crash for another day and then go back to my apartment, even though I hate it there. The sad truth is I have nowhere to be for the next week, and there’s little point in hanging here when Chiara can’t stand to be in the same room as me.
16
Chiara
Fina went to bed an hour ago, citing exhaustion. I took a shower and then came down to fetch a drink, but when I heard raised voices coming from Angelo’s office, curiosity got the better of me.
Turns out curiosity isn’t a good thing. I forgot all about the drink I came down for when I heard Luka had ended up in jail for punching a photographer.
Losing control like that is beyond stupid. It makes me wonder what’s going on with him. Luka takes his career seriously, even if he pretends otherwise.
I’m still angry and upset he left without clearing the air after that night in the kitchen, but if I’m honest, I was as much to blame. He must think I don’t care about him, which is far from the truth.
We need to talk.
Even if he tells me to go fuck myself, I want to make sure he’s okay.
After stewing back in my room for another hour, I kick the covers off and pull on a loose tee over my panties. It’s one Kanelent me when we were in Scotland. He’s not asked for it back, so it’s mine now. I like that it still smells of him.
Coco and Felix are curled up in Coco’s bed on the floor. They both got sick of my restlessness. Coco stirs when she hears me move, but after a brief yawn, she closes her eyes and settles back to sleep, her head resting on Felix’s fluffy tail.
The lights are off when I venture back onto the landing. A quick peek out of the window that overlooks the driveway shows me Angelo’s car is missing, and I breathe a sigh of relief knowing he won’t interrupt my conversation with Luka.
I can’t prevent him from watching me on the cameras, but at least I don’t have to put up with his alpha-male nonsense in person.
Luka has a room in the other wing of the house, well away from mine. I have a feeling that’s deliberate on Angelo’s part.
When I reach his door, I hesitate. It’s quiet. Is he asleep? Fuck, maybe this is a terrible idea.
I fidget with the hem of Kane’s tee while I chew my lip. Luka wasn’t exactly friendly toward me earlier. What if he thinks this is a booty call and takes offense?
Dammit. I steel my spine and grow some lady balls. We’re both adults here. I just want to talk to him and make sure he’s alright.
