I roll my eyes. “Paranoid, much? Nobody is going to snatch me. Besides, you have goons following me, remember?”
Luciano groans. “Jesus. Lacey Katherine, I swear to God. You’re giving me heartburn.”
Holding a steaming mug, I stand across the counter from Luciano, smirking while he stares at me like he’s trying not to totally lose it.
“I’m always careful. I promise. I agreed to live in this house instead of buying one in a random neighborhood, right? It’s gated and secure. There’s security stuff everywhere. I’m safe, Luciano. You don’t need to worry about me so much. I’ve never been better.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and sighs. “You’re the only family I have left,Tesoro.”
My eyes burn, and I set my cup down before I walk over to him and take one of his hands. “And you’re not going to lose me. But I need something from you. I know you don’t care much for Kian, but please don’t kill him.”
“You like him as more than a friend,” Luciano says after a long beat of silence.
After letting go of his hand, I step back and look up at him, meeting his gaze. There are times when I think Luciano still sees me as this little girl who will never grow up.
“I do. And I don’t want anything to happen to him.Or you. Because you’re also the only family I have left. So I need both of you to stay alive.”
Luciano rolls his eyes and closes them for several seconds before he looks at me like I just took away his only birthday present. “Fine. But I swear to God, Lacey, if he hurts you in any way, even if it’s an accident, I will cut his head off myself and mount it above my fireplace, and you won’t hold it against me. Do you understand?”
The remaining weight that’s been sitting on my chest since they pointed their guns at each other finally dissipates.
I grin and hold up my pinky. “Deal.”
The corners of his lips twitch as he hooks his pinky with mine, just like he did every time I made him promise to do something when I was a kid, and I swear, I feel like my heart could explode.
“I need to go. My plane should be ready soon. Be good.” He kisses my forehead and hugs me one last time before I walk him out to his SUV and wave as he drives away.
Awestruck,I watch the team I taught a new routine to only two weeks ago, perform it so beautifully that I have tears in my eyes by the time they’re done.
When I start clapping, someone else behind me joins in, and I spin around, finding Jordyn approaching, smiling broadly, her lips the perfect shade of red.
“That was amazing,” Jordyn praises when she comes to a stop beside me from where I’m watching in front of the first row. “Look how perfect they are! Great job, everyone.”
One of the dancers grins as she prances off toward the side of the stage. “It’s all Lacey! We couldn’t have done it without her.”
My cheeks heat as Jordyn turns her attention to me with a smirk. “Might have lied on your resumé, but your work is what matters to me. Not your name. And I have to say, your work is beyond amazing. You’re a true artist, Lacey. I’m really glad to have you here.”
She hugs me, and I blink several times, so I don’t tear up.
“Thank you. It means a lot. The dancers and entire wardrobe team are amazing as well.”
Jordyn laughs and bumps her hip against mine. “Just take the compliment and say thank you.”
Giggling, I nod. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she says as she flutters her eyelashes playfully then laughs. “Anyway, I came to see if you want to come over to my house for a girls’ night tomorrow? Well, technically, the guys will be there because they will be playing poker, but they won’t be allowed to bug us.”
Does that mean Kian will be there? Would he want me there when he’s trying to have a guys’ night? From the things I’ve heard from girls I went to school with, guys don’t like clingy women. He may not appreciate me invading his space like that.
“Uh, I think I have plans tomorrow, but I’d love a raincheck.”
She smiles as she pulls her phone from the pocket of her wide-leg, high-waisted pants. I swear, I need to go through her closet one day.
“Of course! Any time. But if you change your mind, I’ve just texted you my address. You’re welcome to come. Quinn will be there around six,” she says, then starts to step away. “I have to run. I have a meeting to get to. Talk to you later, girl!”
Smiling, I head back to say goodbye to my team before I grab my stuff and head out to my car. I love working as a choreographer. Creating dance routines has always been something I’ve loved because it’s when I most feel like I can express myself as an artist. Maybe this was my passion all along, and ballet is meant to be my fun.
I’m practically floating when I walk into my studio and start turning on lights to get ready for class. I spent every spare minute I had here when I moved to Las Vegas, getting the studio set up. Luckily, the place was already in great condition, and there wasn’t a ton to do other than adding flooring and a layer of paint before the mirrors and bars went up.
