“Then what’s the problem, love? I can see it written on your face.”
I wasn’t sure how to put it into words. “I know how you feel about your father. But why the hotels?”
He looked at me and spoke softly. “Because I made Melinda a promise two years ago at Maddie’s wedding. And I intend to keep it.”
My eyes bugged out. “What was it?”
“That I would ruin her,” he said as if it were no big deal.
I put my food down. “How are you going to do that?” I could hear the quiver in my tone.
Axel reached out again, knowing I needed reassurance. “I’m going to take away the two things she cares about most. Money and status. And I’m going to enjoy doing it.”
“What about your sisters? Won’t it upset them?”
“This is going to sound harsh, but I can’t worry about them. They have their own stock that I would never try to acquire. They will have a say in everything going forward with Covington. This is solely targeted to Melinda. I’ve already arranged for all Covington holdings to go to them should something happen to me. They saw the way she treated Mason and have told me stories that simply provided fuel to the fire. She knew about Mason and me before we were born, and insisted on going through with the wedding to punish my father for daring to love someone else. Their marriage was a business arrangement and served as a punishment to everyone involved. She’s ruthless and equally diabolical. I’m simply giving her a taste of her own medicine.”
“What goes around, comes around. Some people have to learn the hard way.”
“Exactly. And I’m coming for her.”
I was ready to leave the topic behind for a while, so I changed the subject. “When are you moving in?”
“Tomorrow. I’ll bring all my things over. The furniture will be delivered and set up first thing in the morning.” He leaned in. “Why don’t you take the day off and come join me?”
“The real world doesn’t work like that. Some of us have to work,” I teased. “There’s also no one to cover for me. Susanna is on vacation.”
“Then come over afterward. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
When he pulled up to my apartment to drop me off, he wasn’t happy. “Go grab your clothes and come back to the apartment with me.”
“I can’t. John and I have to pay bills tonight. September rent will be due in a couple of days.”
“Let me give you some money.” He reached for his wallet, but I stopped him. “No. I’ve got it taken care of.”
Axel frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. You’ve done enough.”
“But I can do more. I want to do more. There’s no reason for you to live like this when it’s not necessary.”
I exhaled and held my tongue. Reminding myself he didn’t mean it the way it sounded. “I know. But you need to chill out. I’ve got it.” Leaning over, I kissed him to shut him up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Climbing out of the car, I headed into my building. Part of me wished I’d given in and gone home with him. Take advantage of the limited time we had. But I had things to do. It was going to be difficult enough when hockey season started, and I couldn’t forget that I needed to protect myself. Axel was already deeply embedded in my heart, no matter how much I wanted to deny it.
The following evening, Axel met me at the door with a heartbreaking smile that sent electricity through me. “I thought you’d never get here.”
He pulled me inside and pressed my back to the door. Cradling my face, the look on his face almost scared me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” he said, gently running his fingertips over my jaw. He peppered soft kisses along my jaw and down my neck.
“Like…” I murmured incoherently. “Like I mean something to you.”
He pulled back, then kissed me tenderly before resting his forehead against mine. “Don’t you know by now? You don’t meansomethingto me, Luca. That’s too vague. You meaneverythingto me.”
My heart thundered in my chest at his words. Even the thought of entertaining forever was terrifying, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what life with him could look like. As he kissed me deeply, I stupidly dreamed about coming home to him every night. Would it always feel like this? Like every touch was the first spark from a match that was guaranteed to set me on fire.
Resting my hands on his chest, I pushed him back. “I want to see your house.”
