"So you're going to take away more of her choices by destroying Whitmore? By manipulating the situation to force the outcome you want? You're trying to control her life because you can't control your own feelings." He stands too, meeting my eyes. "And I'm telling you, as your friend, as someone who's known you since we were kids—this path you're on? It ends badly. For everyone."
I want to argue. I want to tell him he's wrong. But there's something in his voice that makes me pause. "What am I supposed to do?" I ask quietly. "Just sit here and wait? Whileshe's down there with him? While he's—" I can't finish the sentence.
"Yes. That's exactly what you're supposed to do."
We stare at each other, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. He wants to help me. He always wants to help me. But he also knows I'm wrong.
"How long?" I ask finally. "How long do I wait?"
“She’s supposed to be back Monday, right? So if she’s not back by then, we’ll figure something out.”
“We?”
"Yeah. Together. Not you going down there alone and doing something stupid."
I want to argue. I want to tell him I don't need his permission or his help. But the truth is, I do. Because Luca is the only person in my life other than Giulia who tells me the truth. The only person who stays even when I'm at my worst. I trust him.
"Okay," I say finally. "I’ll wait until Monday.”
Luca’s expression is skeptical. "Promise me."
"I promise."
He doesn't look convinced, but he nods. "Good. Now go take a shower. You smell like an ashtray."
—
When I geta call from one of my men that she’s on a flight coming back from Charleston, I hang up the second I hear it and immediately start pacing. She's coming back. My entire body feels wound tight with anticipation.
Luca, who's been sleeping on my couch to make sure I don’t do anything stupid and is working on his laptop at my kitchen table, looks up. "She's on her way?"
"Yeah." I look over at him, running my hands through my hair. "What if she's coming back to end things? What if she's coming back to tell me it's over, that she's marrying Whitmore, that?—"
“Then you’re going to have to accept that this isn’t going to go the way you want.” He pauses, looking at me. “You know going to see her for anything other than telling her this is done is going to mean your father’s ultimatum takes effect. He’s going to kick you out.”
“He’s not going to do that. I’m going to call his fucking bluff.” My jaw tightens. “I’m his only son. What’s he going to do, marry Giulia off and give some other man the family?”
A muscle ticks in Luca’s jaw, as if the idea pisses him off, too. I appreciate his loyalty. But I also want to scream. I want to break something. I want to get in my car and drive until I find her at the airport and?—
And what? Force her to talk to me? Drag her back to my apartment? Prove every terrible thing she accused me of?
"I need to see her," I say.
Luca nods. "I know."
"Tonight. As soon as she gets back."
"Romeo, it's going to be late. She's going to be exhausted. Maybe you should wait until?—"
"I can't wait. I've been waiting all weekend. I need—" My voice breaks. "I need to see her. I need to know she's okay."
Luca studies me for a long moment. Then he nods. "Okay. But I'm coming with you."
"What? No?—"
"I'm coming with you. I'll wait outside, give you space, but I'm coming. Because if this goes badly, if she—" He doesn't finish the sentence. "I'm coming."
I want to argue. But I'm too tired, and too desperate. All I can think about is Savannah.
