Chapter 48
“Of course,” Nonnina replied, casting Vee another worried glance before patting her shoulder gently. Then she left to get Julian’s plate, leaving the room charged with an almost unbearable tension.
Julian’s gaze landed on Vee, curiosity flickering through his eyes. “Who is this lovely lady?” he asked.
“None of your business,” Luca snapped, dark eyes cutting Julian down without a flicker of hesitation.
Meanwhile, Vee sat frozen, fingers gripping the chair’s edge, cheeks flaming and sweat forming tiny beads along her brow. The vibrating underwear continued its relentless assault, pulses sending electric shocks through her body. Every breath was stolen, every heartbeat pounding in sync with the secret storm she endured quietly.
“I thought you didn’t bring your sluts home, Luca,” Julian said casually.
Everything in the room happened in a heartbeat, faster than thought, faster than fear could catch up. One second Luca was seated, the next, a silver knife gleamed in his fingers, flipped once with practiced ease, and Julian’s head was jerked back by the thick, dark sweep of hair with unrelenting strength.
The knife hovered at Julian’s throat, its tip mere centimeters from skin. Vee screamed.
“Luciano Nonnina gasped as she froze in the doorway, the plate nearly slipping from her hands. She had returned just as the chaos erupted, eyes wide, heart thudding in her chest.
Vee leapt from her chair, as she stumbled backward. Her eyes were wide with shock, heart hammering.
The knife stopped, hovering midair as if frozen in time. Luca’s eyes darkened ridiculously, blue pools of storm and intent, burning into Julian’s with an intensity that left no room for doubt that he was willing to stab Julian right there, right then. He breathed slowly.
“Luciano Nonnina’s voice was softer this time. “You don’t hurt family.” Her hands trembled slightly as she stepped forward.
“Father would love to hear this,” Julian said. His hands remained splayed across the table, and his gaze locked on Luca’s.
Then, that wicked smile appeared. The smile the family knew all too well: the calm before the storm, the prelude to chaos.
With a flick of his wrist, Luca pulled the knife back, flipped it again in a controlled arc, and landed the tip into the table. Julian’s fingers were splayed just centimeters from the point. The knife trembled slightly and yet Luca’s eyes never left his brother’s.
Time seemed to stretch.
He straightened slightly, the knife now embedded in the table. “Nonni, do not bother with the plate. Julian was just leaving. Schedule an appointment with my office in the morning to discuss business. Have a good night, brother p>
Julian’s jaw tightened. He rose slowly, carefully withdrawing and shot Vee a glance.
Vee exhaled in a shaky rush. She realized, with a shiver that traveled straight down her spine, that he had not just defended her, against his own family, even though it was in his weird, twisted way.
Nonnina exhaled, shaking her head slightly then moved back to the table to continue serving their meals p>
Luca leaned back slightly, fingers resting on the table as he tapped the remote lightly. He thought Vee had earned a small reprieve—a brief moment to breathe without his relentless attention turning every nerve in her body into an electric wire.
Vee walked back to her seat. And noticed that he was still angry. His hands were fisted, his jaw locked, his eyes staring into space.
She reached over and placed her hand over his. Luca’s eyes flicked down, taking in the small curve of her fingers against his hand, the way her wrist trembled slightly.
He looked at her, startled. She offered him a small smile. These tiny gestures were the things that tugged at his heart.
And this… this was the first physical contact she had initiated since discovering he was indeed the devil, the depth of his darkness, since seeing him for what he truly was.
Nonnina hovered nearby, eyes narrowing in concern as she watched Vee’s flushed cheeks and the faint tremor in her shoulders. “You feel better?” she asked softly.
Vee yanked her hand back as if she had been caught doing something forbidden. “Yes, yes, of course, Nonni,” she said quickly.
“Good. I’ll make you some tea after dinner,” she said.
Vee exhaled. Luca’s gaze lingered on her.
Vee retreated to Luca’s bedroom.
She sat on the edge of the bed, hands folded in her lap, posture straight. She told herself to breathe. She told herself not to think about his brother’s careless mouth and Luca’s knife flashing.
Downstairs, Luca shut the door to his office and lifted the phone.
“Do you have him p>
“Yes, boss p>
“Send me a picture. Secure line p>
He didn’t sit while he waited. He stood by the window, looking out over the grounds. A few minutes later, his phone vibrated. The image filled the screen.
Cassidy. Bloodied. Swollen lip. One eye already darkening but still alive and breathing. Not for long.
Luca exhaled slowly, satisfaction uncoiling in his chest. He slipped the phone back into his pocket and headed upstairs.
When he entered the bedroom, he found her sitting at the edge of the bed. Spine straight. Chin lifted. Her hair had loosened, soft around her shoulders.
He dipped his hands into his pockets.
“You’re right,” he said.
Vee looked up, brows knitting.
“This morning,” he continued. “You said I was obsessed p>
She scoffed softly.
The corner of his mouth twitched despite himself. He stepped closer, stopping just far enough away that she had to look up at him. “I’ve never lied to myself,” he said quietly. “I don’t intend to start now p>
He paused, eyes dark, searching her face.
“I am obsessed with you,” he said. “It’s like I want you to feel something for me that you are incapable of feeling. Or unwilling to p>
“I cannot force you to feel anything for me,” he said. “But what I will not allow is disrespect p>
He turned, gesturing toward the desk near the window.
“You will sit there,” he said, “and you will write me a letter. You will detail exactly what you were thinking at the time of your offense p>
(Two additional Chapters proudly sponsored by: Jennifer Willard. Enjoy)