“Thank you.” No grin, no smugness, no charm. Just sincerity in his face, bare and unguarded.
My brain short circuits. I think I’m in shock.
“I mean it, you don’t owe me anything.” He shrugs then winces. “Hell, I wouldn’t have even blamed you if you didn’t do anything. I mean, it’s not like we were the welcoming committee when you arrived.”
“You really think I’d just let you get stabbed?”
He shrugs. His eyes drop to his hands, fingers picking at the edge of his blanket. “You know my dad left when I was a kid?”
I blink. “Really?”
He nods. “He couldn’t take the pressure, didn’t want to be a Silvain anymore. So, my mom raised me.”
“Oh.”
“She taught me how to smile the right way, how to pick out the right suit. How to work the charm my father gave me.”
I didn’t expect that.
Luca tilts his head toward me. “And then she died. Heart failure, they said. I thought it was all the lies she weaved. You learn fast how quickly people close doors when you stop being useful.”
I swallow, throat tight. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugs with a weak smile. “Don’t be. It taught me how to smile through hunger. How to turn charm into a weapon. And eventually, the Guild notices, and with my last name. I belonged.”
A beat passes. Then another. His voice drops low, almost hesitant. “I didn’t come to Blackmoore to play dress-up with the elite. I came to make sure I never ended up powerless again.”
That hits something in me.
Because isn’t that why I’m here too?
To reclaim the power I was denied. To never feel helpless again.
I lean forward a little, meeting his gaze. “You’re not as shallow as you pretend to be.”
His smile is soft now. Sad. “Don’t ruin my reputation.”
I hesitate. Then reach out and curl my fingers lightly around his wrist, right below the IV line. His skin is warm.
“You scared me,” I whisper.
“You… stayed.”
“I did.”
Luca blinks at me, something unspoken passing between us. Something real.
“I knew you were in love with me.” He winks.
I roll my eyes and stand, stepping closer to the bed. “Rest, Luca.”
“You’ll be around?”
“If you need me.”
“I think I do.” And he doesn’t say it to charm me.
“I’m soglad you’re okay.” Dakota hugs me as soon as I open my door.
