“Never do this shit again,” Leon grits out through his teeth.
Finally, Luka’s arms wrap around Leon, too. “I couldn’t… I had to keep her safe.”
Moisture wells in the corners of my eyes, witnessing the beautiful moment. I choke out a stifled breath when a familiar person appears from the hallway.
“Luka…” It’s Sophie. I recognize her facial features and her voice. But she’s wearing skimpy shorts and a tank top; her skin is fully tanned, and there’s a glow to her I never saw before. Suddenly, her brows lower, noticing the black eye forming on Luka’s face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he responds, stepping between her and Leon. “I know you’re mad, but it’s me you’re mad at. This had nothing to do with her,” he tells Leon, protecting my cousin.
“I know,” Leon says, just as Sophie lets out a loud gasp.
“Alex?!” She stares at me like she isn’t sure if I’m real.
Luka’s head snaps toward me. “Wait. Alex? Your Alex?”
“Actually…” Leon clears his throat, approaching me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “My Alex.”
My insides turn to goo at his words, and Sophie lets out a squeal. She runs toward me, and I escape Leon’s hold to meet her halfway. We embrace, and the tears I’ve tried to suppress start streaming down my face. I inhale her scent, just to be sure she’s really here.
“You smell like coconuts,” I practically wail, making Sophie chuckle.
“You’re here,” she responds.
“You’rehere. And you’re safe.” A sob exits my mouth. “I tried to find you, Soph. I really did.” Grabbing both of her shoulders, I pull her away to look into her eyes.
“I’m fine, Alex. Better than fine.” She shoots a shy glance toward Luka.
“I was worried sick, you know. I thought something bad happened to you. It kind of did. But… you know. You still should have let me know.”
“I know. I’m sorry. We didn’t want to risk anything.”
I think of the countless nights I cried myself to sleep but swallow it down, thankful she is here. “What happened? They kidnapped you? You fell in love?”
She chuckles again, her own eyes full of tears. “Yeah, that’s the short story.”
A throat clears next to us. “Alex, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Still confused, it takes me a second to realize he put his hand out for me to shake. “I’m Luka, Sophie’s fiancé.”
“Fiancé?” Leon and I blurt out at the same time.
Sophie steps to Luka’s side, rewarding him with a gorgeous, warm smile. “Yeah, fiancé. But how about you two?”
I glance at Leon, and my chest flutters. “It’s a long story.”
“How about you tell her all about it while Luka and I have a little chat?” Leon suggests, placing a kiss on my hair.
“Fine, but you can’t hit him again,” Sophie scolds.
“Don’t worry. I was allowed only one punch.” He smirks at me, and I bite my lower lip to keep from smiling.
The two of them leave through the long hallway to the left of the kitchen.
“Want some tea?” Sophie asks, making her way through the fancy kitchen. I guess Luka is as rich as his brother.
“Sure, thank you.” I sit at the kitchen island, placing my hands on top of the quartz countertops.
“I’d offer something stronger, but we just got here.”
“It’s fine.” Tea is just what I need after a couple of cocktails on poker night.
