Chapter 41
Both officers startled, instinctively tightening their grips. One of them, younger, lowered his weapon a few inches. The other hesitated longer.
“Sir,” the older one said carefully, “we’re here on official business p>
Nonnina scoffed loudly. “Vergogna,” she muttered. Shame.
“We got a report of a disturbance and we just came to check, Mr. Genovese,” one of the officers said.
“A disturbance,” Luca repeated. “You pull guns on an old woman over a disturbance? I am going to sue your asses to hell and back for that alone p>
The younger cop glanced at his partner, then straightened. “We just need to talk to a Veronica Scalese and we will be on our way p>
Luca turned to Nonnina and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. Her eyes were alert, entirely unafraid. She had survived men far worse than these.
“Stai calma, Nonni,” he murmured.
“I am calm. And offended.” She glared the last part at the officers.
He led the officers down the side corridor toward the smaller flat behind the mansion.
They stopped in front of the door.
Luca knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again. “Veronica,” he called, keeping his voice even. Nothing.
His hand went to the handle, ready to open it, but one of the officers stepped forward and stopped him with an upraised palm.
“We would like to check on her ourselves p>
Luca turned slowly, eyes darkening. “I’m not letting you in there until she is presentable p>
“She may be in danger,” the officer pressed. “I’m sorry Mr Genovese p>
Luca grabbed the arm of one of the officers before either of them could take another step forward. His grip was firm enough to remind the man exactly whose house he was standing in.
“Do you know me? Do you know who I am?” Luca asked through clenched teeth.
“Of course p>
“Then you know what people believe I am capable of p>
The second officer shifted his weight, fingers tightening around the holster of his gun.
The first officer swallowed. Hard.
“Then listen to me very clearly,” Luca continued, leaning in just enough for it to feel personal. “If you go in there and you find her in a state of undress, I will pluck out your eyes. Do you read me, officer p>
The officer stepped back.
Luca turned, unlocked the door himself, and stepped inside the flat.
Veronica was still asleep.
She lay curled on the bed, dark hair fanned across the pillow, one leg tangled in the sheets. Luca just stood there. Watched her breathe. Watched the rise and fall of her chest, the faint crease between her brows that never quite left even in rest.
He exhaled, ran a hand over his face, then stepped closer.
“Vee,” he said softly, reaching out to shake her shoulder. “Vee p>
She stirred, a low sound leaving her throat as she turned her face toward him. Her lashes fluttered open slowly, confusion swimming in her eyes.
“Luca? What time is it p>
“You gotta wake up,” he said, gentler. “The police want to talk to you p>
“The police? Why p>
“I think your boyfriend has refused to listen,” Luca said dryly.
“Jesus She pushed herself up, rubbing her face. “Cassidy. What are you doing p>
Luca turned away before she could see the flicker of jealousy that burned with the way she said his name so lovingly. He moved to the closet, opened it, and scanned the contents. He pulled out a robe.
He returned to the bed and held it out to her. “Put this on p>
Vee accepted it, slipping her arms into the sleeves as he helped guide it over her shoulders.
They walked back toward the front together.
At the door, the officers straightened when they saw her. Veronica Scalese, alive, dressed, and very much not broken.
Luca stood beside her.
Whatever storm Cassidy thought he was capable of hiding behind the men in blue, Luca Genovese was ready to meet it head-on.
“Officers!” Vee said brightly, pouring sunshine into her voice. If she was terrified, she hid it well.
“Miss Scalese?” one of the men asked, eyes flicking between her and Luca, clearly trying to reconcile the stories he’d been fed with the scene in front of him.
“Yes, of course. May I help you?” She tilted her head, polite, cooperative, the picture of an unbothered woman who had not spent the night tangled in dangerous ecstasy.
“We got a report that you were being held against your will in this house. Is that true p>
She looked up at Luca, catching his eye.
Then she laughed. A ridiculous, airy chuckle that sounded musical.
“Against my will?” she repeated. “Officers, I think someone is yanking your chain p>
She turned fully then, slipped her arm around Luca’s waist with exaggerated affection. His body tensed instantly under her touch. She felt it, the way a wire hums when electricity runs through it.
“I’m merely spending a few days with my boyfriend here,” she said lightly.
To sell it, she reached back and gave Luca’s ass a playful smack.
Luca jerked, his spine going rigid, breath hitching.
“Well,” one of the officers said slowly, clearly reassessing the situation, “it looks like everything is okay. But if you need help p>
“I’ll just dial 911,” Vee finished for him.
The officers nodded, satisfied enough to retreat. They turned their attention to Luca, suddenly all business, all deference.
“Apologies, Mr Genovese p>
“Get the fuck out of my house,” he said coldly, “and the next time you come here, it better be with a warrant, or I am going to fuck you up p>
The officers left quickly.
The door shut. Silence rushed in.
Vee let her arm fall from Luca’s waist, suddenly aware of how close they were. She glanced up at him, trying to read his face.
“Well,” she said lightly, “that was fun p>
Luca stared down at her, jaw tight, eyes dark with a thousand things he wasn’t saying. “You think that was funny p>
“I think,” she said carefully, “that it worked p>
“It clearly isn’t funny,” Luca snapped, the last shred of restraint snapping loose. “They had their guns drawn in my house. At Nonnina.” He turned, hands raking through his hair. “I’m giving you a proper heads-up now,” he said, stopping abruptly, eyes blazing. “I’m going to kill Cassidy p>
(Happy weekend people. I will get to responding to comments this weekend. I have been loving your thoughts and ideas and borrowing them as I write. Lol. So dont be shocked when you find I stole your idea p>