So instead, I sat there on Luca's couch until I was able to get up and do my job. I didn't go to Luna again, and if she saw me wandering around the house in the darkness, she didn't acknowledge me.
The sun was rising when I heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up from the kitchen table to see Luca and Veda coming down. As always, Veda smiled nervously in greeting as she passed by me on her way to the fridge. Luca looked tired, but he gave me a small nod of acknowledgment as he entered the kitchen behind her and made a pot of coffee.
"You should go home and get some rest," he said, after he'd given Veda her cup and she went to go check on Luna and Logan. "I'm sure you've had a long night."
I glanced toward Luna when I heard her voice, the sweet tones flowing over me and warming me from the inside out. "Yes," I told him.
"Luna is welcome to stay here with her brother as long as she'd like. Veda is telling her now."
I nodded. I was sure she would want to stay close to him.
"You're not going to argue with me about that?"
Dragging my eyes away, I met his curious stare. "No."
He waited for me to say more, but I couldn't explain something to him I didn't understand myself. Pushing back my chair, I stood and asked, "What time do you need me back here?"
If he was surprised, he didn't push it. "I'll call you as soon as I find out what time everyone else will arrive."
Luca was gathering the family together to determine Gino's fate. Something that should've been done weeks ago, but I wasn't the boss. I didn't make those decisions. "I'll keep my phone near me."
As I walked toward the front door, he trailed behind me. "Aren't you going to let Luna know you're leaving?"
I didn't stop or glance her way. "No." Then I opened the door and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
CHAPTER9
Luna
Istood by Logan's bedside, helping him sit up against the pillows so he could eat the lunch Lisa had brought in. The swelling around his eye was going down, his skin was turning interesting colors of green and blue, and he was still in a lot of pain from his ribs. But he was wide awake for the first time since yesterday, and I considered that a win.
I'd been with him all night and all morning, except for a short time when Veda offered me the use of a shower and a spare toothbrush along with some clean clothes, which I'd graciously accepted.
A knock sounded on one of the French doors and Luca stepped in. "I'm sorry to interrupt. How are you feeling, Logan?"
"This is Luca," I told him. "The owner of this house."
Logan gave him a once-over, his eyes lingering on the cut of Luca's expensive suit jacket and the holster strap visible beneath it. "I'll live. Thanks for letting us stay here."
"Of course," Luca said. "As Veda told you earlier, you're welcome to stay as long as you need. The doctor will be coming back to check on you tomorrow to see how you're healing up. And if there's anything else I can do, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks," Logan repeated.
Luca turned to me. "Luna, the family is gathering for a meeting in about an hour. I was hoping you might come speak to them."
"Me? Why?"
"There are things they need to know, and it would be better if those things came directly from you."
It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what he was talking about. "You want me to tell them about Gino."
"Yes."
I hesitated, glancing at Logan. I hated to leave his side right now. He wasn't comfortable here, and his injuries likely made him feel even more vulnerable.
"It won't take long," Luca assured me. "As you lived with him for a time, you've had experiences with him no one else has. You don't have to go into any uncomfortable details. Just emphasize how unstable he is."
If I knew anything about Italian men, or men in general, it was that they paid women very little attention unless that woman was naked. "Can't you just tell them?"
