Please read the author's note at the end.
Keeley's POV
I sat straight up in bed supported by a mound of blankets and pillows with Gus next to me. The room was darkened as the sun had gone down, but the yellow light of my bedside lamp illuminated the area around me. It was snowing.
I was captivated by the little white flurries as they fell slowly, little by little covering the earth in their powdery white blanket. My back was killing me and every time I moved I felt it spasm.
I mean, let's just be honest: today was utter shit. Brady completely messed my back up and the painkillers were doing no help. Russo had told me to be on bed rest for the next two weeks, but if that happens, I will most definitely lose what little is left of my sanity. And Aubrey... she left. She wanted to know why and not how. She wanted me to be open with her about my life and she wanted me to tell her things I wasn't comfortable with. Do I blame her? Not really. If it was her being secretive and disappearing for a couple of days without notice and coming back hurt, I'd want to know too.
I've called her eight times and sent her about twenty different messages, but each time there is no answer. I tried with Alex and Xavier too, but they won't talk to me either. The only friends I've ever made on my own were gone. Sure, Alice and Lexi and Dylan were my friends, but they were living the same hell I was and we needed each other. We were friends because we had no one else. But Aubrey and the guys, we were friends because we chose to be. I wanted them to know who I was without my history and the problems that followed me, but I guess just me wasn't enough for them.
I glanced at my bedside table where a pile of envelopes sat. I reached my hand out and winced in pain as I grabbed them and set them on my lap. I hadn't gotten the chance to read my birthday cards yet, and I could use a bit of cheering up.
I gently picked up the first purple envelope with "Munch" scribbled across the front. I knew immediately that it was Nick's from the scratchy handwriting.
Munch,
Today you turned eighteen. It seems like only yesterday I watched as you took your first steps across the wooden floor of our obnoxiously large house. You had on your diaper and your white hair was standing straight up as you walked right into my arms.
You may not know, Keeley, as I do not show it often, but I do love you. Words can not explain how sorry I am for how you grew up and all that you have had to go through. I can't promise you that there won't be days without arguing, without pain, without worries, but I can promise you that you won't have to go through it by yourself anymore.
You being home again has made us all happy and the warmth that left five years ago is back again. Never stop pushing yourself to do better. Always hold the love that is hidden behind your rough exterior close to your heart. And always know that you are the best thing to ever happen in my life.
I love you,
Nick
I didn't realize that I was crying until one of my tears hit the card. Nick's words hit me right in the gut. I don't cry, I rarely do, but Nick's card hit something in me and the tears came faster. I cried because I'm hurting, I cried because I lost my friends, and I cried because Nick loves me. Nick loves me as I love him, and that feeling of relief is the greatest feeling. I thought back to what I said earlier and how maybe just me wasn't enough. But you know what? If Nick can love me and my rough exterior, knowing all that he does, hell, I am enough.
A small smile appeared on my face as I sniffed and wiped away the last few tears. I closed the card and gently slid it back into the envelope. Pretty sure that I would cry again if I were to read another, I sat the pile of cards next to me on the bed.
Knock Knock Knock
"Keeley, can I come in?" My father's voice sounded tired as he spoke from the other side of the door. I quickly cleared my throat.
"Yeah," I shouted hoping my face wasn't red and blotchy from my little episode.
He opened the door and walked in with a container of Chinese, a water bottle, and a fortune cookie. My father shut the door with his elbow before walking over and sitting on the corner of my bed.
"You haven't eaten today." The food and water bottle were set in my lap as my father looked anywhere but me. I could tell something was on his mind by the way the right side of his jaw slightly twitched, just like Nick. His dress shirt that was normally pressed and sleek-looking was a wrinkled mess and no longer tucked into his dress pants. My father's hair was sticking up all over and had definitely seen better days.
"What's wrong?" I asked timidly hoping to not anger him. His head turned to me as his metallic blue eyes burned into my amber ones.
"We have camera's in the gym, Keeley, and I played back you and Brady fighting. Why?"
"What do you mean, why?" I stared back at him. I was entirely confused by what he wanted to know.
"Why," he began while standing up and pacing beside the bed, "why did you let him hurt you like that? Like that-that knee to the back thing, and why didn't you walk away when the two of you broke apart for a minute? Why was it at the end that you looked sad for him and not madder than hell at him for hitting you as he did? Bust most of all- why did you step in when I got there? And don't throw that mafia shit in my face where you only told me because I'm the Capo and I needed to know. That's bullshit, Keeley, and we both know it."
I swallowed as my eyes slightly widened. He had successfully caught me off guard and had thrown me for a loop with his questions. I moved my eyes to the take-out box in front of me and held it in my hands like it was the most interesting thing in the world. I didn't speak.
"Answer me."
"I-" I have no idea what to say. It's not really my business to tell him about Brady's father and it's not like I want to relive this morning's events.
"Keeley Blake, when I talk to you, I expect an answer." My father's voice was cold and held no room for argument. I also knew he was royally pissed by the way he used my middle name. Not many people scared me, but he did.
"I didn't let him hurt me," I began quietly.
"Keeley, I know how you fight and-"
I cut him off immediately. "You asked me questions and I'm answering them."
My father and I stared at each other for a second. I could basically see the steam coming out of his ears.
"Fine. Go."
I took a breath. "As I was saying, I didn't let him hurt me. Our skill level is very much the same as we were trained by the same people. He happened to catch me at an open moment and he took that to his advantage. If the roles were reversed, I would have done the same thing. And I didn't walk away because I wanted to fight. For some fucked up reason, I like the adrenaline and the high I get from fighting. I like feeling strong, and that's what I felt."
Now it was my father's eyes that widened, but I wasn't close to done.
"And why I was sad for Brady, that's something you will have to ask him because it is not my place to talk. And you asked me why I stepped in. Want to know why? I stepped in because I knew that you would have the guys bring Brady over to the Big House and have him punished and like hell I would let you do that. I can handle whatever you throw at me and move on from it, but this mafia is one of the only good things to ever have happened to Brady. He's got food on the table, people he cares about, and he's himself again. I'm not letting anyone, especially you, take that away from him."
I didn't realize how heated I was over this conversation until I finished talking and was breathing heavily. My father stared at me like I was the most puzzling thing he had ever seen, but it was still obvious he was pissed. So in all reality, he was just frustrated.
He let out an annoyed sigh as he turned and walked towards my door. As my father turned the doorknob, he shifted his gaze to me. I matched his cold stare.
"You're still grounded and stripped of your duties. And if I see that little red-headed girl over here again, we will have bigger problems."
I scoffed at him. "Yeah, no problem, like she wants to see me anyway."
His eyebrows furrowed and I could tell he was confused by my sour attitude towards Aubrey. He didn't get a chance to ask any more questions, though, because Luca appeared in front of him.
"Dominic," he nodded respectfully to my father.
"Luca," he grumbled while pushing past him. I shook my head and closed my eyes, taking in a long deep breath.
I listened as Luca shut the door and walked over to me, the bed dipping slightly when he sat beside me.
"Open those beautiful eyes, Tesoro," he whispered while tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I opened them slowly to be met with his dark ocean blues. Luca's eyes were tired and held some sort of worry I hated to ever see on his face. I lifted my hand up and brushed the stubble across his jaw, smiling softly at the prickly feeling.
"What happened today?" His voice was quiet, but by how rehearsed and controlled his words sounded, I knew he was pissed. My hand froze on his face for a second, but I brushed it off and continued.
"Luca, I'm okay," I spoke softly. I watched his face as he let out a frustrated chuckle and shook his head slowly, my hand slowly sliding back down to my lap. A calloused hand ran through his hair and he looked at me in disbelief.
"You're okay? I know English isn't my first language, Keeley, but this is not okay." He gestured to me sitting in the bed surrounded by pillows for support. The dim lighting made his eyes seem darker and it was blatantly obvious he was angry. Guilt washed over me as I looked at him. I hated that I made him feel this way.
"Luca, it wasn't meant to go this far, but you don't understand. Brady-"
"I don't understand?" he cut me off while standing up from the bed. His eyes bored into mine. "He put his fucking hands on you is what happened and I don't think that's hard to understand. We've fought before, and have I ever hurt you like that?"
"Well, no, but-" I stumbled over my words.
"No, I haven't, because I know how to fucking control it. He didn't, and look what happened. I know he's your friend, Keeley, but what happened is the furthest thing from okay."
I didn't know what to say. I'd never seen him like this and his chest was heaving with the amount of anger pouring out of him, but the thing that hurt the most was the fact that he was actually right. Both of us went too far, and we both ended up hurt because of it.
"Listen, Tesoro," Luca sighed while sitting down on the edge of my bed, bending over to rest his elbows on his knees. He held his head in his hands but he turned his face to me. "I'm just- it's just that I met him yesterday. And within the twenty-four hours I've known him, all I've gathered is that he's a major flirt, and even though he'd do anything to make you happy, he'd still hurt you."
I didn't say anything to interrupt Luca as he spoke. It was clear he needed to get this off his chest.
"The two of us have fought, you and your brothers have fought, but what you and Brady did wasn't fighting. And I know that it is both of your faults, but Brady should know to never put his hands on anybody like that unless he has ill intentions."
Luca took a deep breath. "I'm going to say one last thing and then I'm going to hold you in my arms and be done talking about this shitty day, okay?"
I nodded my head. "Anybody that ever puts their fucking hands on you like that again- it will be me putting a bullet in their head, friend or not."
I felt a lump begin to form in my throat and I turned my head away to look out at the little snowflakes falling. Luca's words were harsh, no doubt about it. I had let him down, and in a way, I let myself down too. But the promise in his voice made me feel safe, like nobody would ever touch me again. And after all the shit that's happened in my life, I'll take any protection I can get.
"Okay," I croak, my eyes betraying me as a lone tear falls down my cheek. I reach up to brush it away, but before I can, Luca's strong hand is already there brushing it away for me. I lean into his hand as he scoots further onto the bed and settles in beside me.
"Non piangere, mia bellissima ragazza. Le mie parole non valgono le tue lacrime."
(Do not cry, my beautiful girl. My words are not worth your tears.)
Luca's words did nothing to help stop my crying but rather set off a fresh wave of tears. I leaned into him as I cried. It seems like since I've been home all I do is cry. But with Luca's warm arms wrapped around me, squeezing enough for comfort but just light enough to not hurt me, I was okay with the tears. Hell, with Luca pretty much anything would be okay.
He kissed the top of my head and lingered there for a second before pulling away. One of his arms loosened and picked up the container of food in my lap. He opened it up gently, careful not to spill anything, and handed it to me.
"You need to eat, baby."
I nodded softly and took a bite. And for the rest of the night, Luca stayed by my side: laughing, smiling, and talking the pain away.
***
The next few days passed by in a blur as I basically did the same thing every day now. My father decided it was best I don't go to school partially due to my back, who thanks to Russo and the painkillers was quite numb, and partially because he didn't want me socializing with my anybody, not like I have friends anyways.
It's now Monday afternoon and I'm bored out of my mind. Sam and Donnie weren't home yet so neither was my school work, and the only person home was my father and he was in his office doing something that, and I quote, "is extremely confidential."
So that's why I'm sitting by myself in the living room on a Monday afternoon watching Say Yes to the Dress with my best boy who has put on a few pounds since being home. He hasn't been out in the field as much and considering the guys make him his own fancy dinner every night, the weight is kind of inevitable. If anything it makes him that much more of cuddlebug, but I'm just glad to see that he's been happier lately.
"You want some popcorn, Gus?" I cooed to him as I tossed a kernel into the air. He tilted his head back and caught it in his mouth. I smiled and scratched his head as he snuggled his head deeper into my lap.
"Hey, Tesoro." I turn my head to the handsome Italian walking into the room. He's been working with his dad all day, and because he had to attend some meetings, it meant he was dressed to the nine's in his custom-tailored suit. His black, satiny button-down was undone at the top and loosely tucked into his dress pants. His hair was somehow perfectly messy and a light five o'clock shadow covered his sharp jaw.
"Are you just going to stare?" he chuckled while leaning over the couch and kissing me gently on the lips. I smiled into the kiss and giggled to myself before pulling away.
Since last Thursday, things between us have been great. He's been working a lot, but every moment of free time he has is spent with me. And if I'm being a hundred percent honest, it doesn't bug me at all.
"Well, when you look this good, it'd be a crime not to." A lazy smile crossed his face as he shook his head.
"How are you feeling?" he asked while sitting beside me. Luca rested his calloused hand on my knee and rubbed his thumb in circles across my skin.
"Good. I've been doing the stretches Russo told me too and the painkillers make what pain is there pretty numb. Why do you ask?" I look at his dark ocean blues as they sparkle with the little bit of sunlight pouring in through the windows.
"Well, my father asked me to run an errand and grab some stuff for him tonight, and I wanted to know if you wanted to go with me." I raised an eyebrow at him.
"And what does this errand entail, and more importantly, am I even allowed to go? Last time I checked, I'm on house arrest," I snorted while scratching Gus's ear.
"Well, I need to run to a club about an hour-hour and a half from here to pick up some files. And I already asked my Dad who talked to your dad, and he said it would be fine as long as you feel good enough to go out. Oh- and only if you're sure you could still kick some ass if need be."
"Please, I'd kick anybody's ass even if I did feel like shit," I laughed. He smiled then squeezed my knee before standing. He reached out a hand and I gladly took it. Gus hopped up and Luca yanked me to my feet. He harshly pulled back so my body had no choice but to crash into him. He cupped my face in his hands and gave me a brief but powerful kiss.
My head was spinning as he pulled away and I had to grip onto his arms for support. I was suddenly very warm and dizzy.
"Wear something pretty," he murmured into my ear before slapping my ass and walking off towards the kitchen. Now I was just confused as this was completely out of character for him.
"What the hell got into you?" I shouted from across the room. He paused mid-step and shot a devious smirk over his shoulder.
"Oh, nothing. But the thought of you dressed up in one of those little dresses, looking hot as hell, and knowing that you're all mine, that's a sure way to make me feel good, Tesoro."
He sauntered off and I was left gaping at an empty room for a few seconds. How dare he go all alpha-male and leave me here, totally confused and flustered. You know what, if that's the game he wants to play, then bring it on.
***
I took one last long look at myself in the mirror. I had showered and straightened my hair so it hung down and covered the better portion of my back and the scars.
Luca had teased me earlier, and it was my turn to tease him back. He had mentioned a few days ago how he loved silver and how it sparkles. So tonight, it was all silver. I had somehow shimmied my way into a short and tight, spaghetti strapped dress that just so happened to be a sparkly silver. My shoes matched and I had actually been able to pull off a decent silver look with my makeup, but I opted for a dark red matte on my lips instead of the metallic color. I had managed to cover my bruises, and for the first time in about a week, I felt great.
Before I left the bathroom, I made sure I had my rings on as well as the bracelet Luca had given me. I grabbed my clutch on the way out and left my bedroom. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I heard yelling from the living room.
My heels clacked on the hardwood as I entered the dimly-lit living room where I saw the entire household and Brady and... was that Ryder?
The constant chatter continued as I stood there. What the hell was going on?
"Um...hello?" I piped up. Immediately everybody stopped and turned to look at me.
"Damn, Sweetness, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." I shot a glare at Brady but all he did was shrug his shoulders as my brothers and the Moretti's erupted into protests over my looks. I looked at Luca for help, but he looked just as I did after he walked away from me earlier.
Serves him right.
"Are you guys done yet? Because I think Luca and I have someplace to be," I sighed. This seemed to snap Luca out of his daze and he walked toward me.
"We'll be back later!" he shouted over everybody as he ushered me to the door. He didn't say anything as he helped me with my black coat, but when we shut the front door behind us, he finally spoke up.
"What the hell are you wearing?" He whispered with a sly smile and hungry eyes. I shrugged my shoulders and held onto his arm as we walked down the driveway and to his car.
"What? You don't like my dress?" I smirk as he opens my door. I slide into the seat and look up at him with an innocent look.
"Oh, lo adoro. Ma so benissimo a quale gioco stai giocando e non lo vincerai, Tesoro," he murmured before shutting my door and walking to the other side.
(Oh, I love it. But I know very well what game you're playing and you won't win it, Tesoro.)
Tonight should be interesting.
***
We arrived at the club about an hour later, long after the sun had set. It was about six o'clock, but the street was already littered with people and neon signs lit up the whole neighborhood. Luca pulled up directly in front of the club and immediately my door was opened by one of the valets. I stepped out and waited for Luca. He rounded the car and offered his arm to me.
I kept my head high and face blank as the two of us walked right past the line and directly into the building. From the moment my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I could tell this wasn't just some other club on the strip. No, this place was different.
It was more of a speak-easy feeling than anything. Men were dressed formally in their curved booths, watching the burlesque routine the girls were putting on. A dance floor sat between the customers and the dancers, and off to the far left across the room was a long bar that easily seated about thirty people. Pool tables were set up almost as a barrier between this room and the wooden bar, and for a Monday night, it was packed.
The dim lighting made it hard to see, but there was no doubt there was a heavily guarded staircase in the back corner of the room that leads upstairs to what I now see as a room with mirrored windows.
We gave my coat to the lady behind a small desk before we traveled towards the back. I held gently onto Luca's biceps as we passed the booths and tables filled with men whose eyes lingered on me longer than they probably should.
"Le persone che incontriamo sono italiane?" I asked Luca as we neared the back staircase.
(Are the people we're meeting Italian?)
"Sì, quindi guarda quello che dici e agisci come se non capissi il più a lungo possibile. Niente contro di te, ma meno sanno di te meglio è." I nodded my head to show I understood as we stopped in front of the two men guarding the upstairs.
(Yes, so watch what you say and act like you don't understand for as long as possible. Nothing against you, but the less they know about you the better.)
"I'm here to see Carlino Bianchi. Tell him I come from the Moretti's," Luca spoke with the thickest Italian accent I've heard out of him. And now that I think about it, I've never actually seen Luca in the field working, and might I say, it's extremely attractive.
One of the men talks quietly into his earpiece and after a moment, they let us through. I follow Luca up until we reach the landing where a thick oak door sits. He turns the knob and together we enter the room.
It's exactly like I pictured: some cushioned chairs and long couches facing the windows, dim lights and a small bar in the corner, men milling about or sitting down with half-dressed women.
"Ah, little Luca Moretti. Although, you aren't so little now, are you?" a man laughed. I turned my head to see a sharply dressed man walking across the room to greet us. He was probably in his mid-thirties or early forties, but it didn't take away from the fact that he was extremely well built and intimidating.
His eyes switched from Luca to me when he was only about ten feet away from us. I felt the darkness of his brown eyes scan me up and down, lingering just a bit longer only my legs than anywhere else. He was wearing a thin, pinstriped suit with shiny black shoes, and his caramel-colored hair was slicked back with not one hair out of place. This was most definitely Carlino Bianchi.
"Carlino," Luca spoke deeply as he reached out his right hand. Carlino grasped his hand and shook it, but all of his attention was focused on me.
"Luca, always a pleasure. And who is this bella ragazza?" he asked as his eyes bore into mine. His hungry look and dark eyes reminded me so much of him, but I didn't let him see my discomfort. Instead, I stuck out my hand gave him a gentle handshake, not yet wanting to show him how I really am.
(Beautiful girl)
"Keeley," I tell him. I can tell I surprised him as I allowed no emotion into my voice.
"Well, Keeley, it is a pleasure to meet you." He winked at me and let go of my hand before turning back to Luca. "Let me introduce you to some of my colleagues, yes?"
Mr. Bianchi introduced us to a number of high-class men. I stayed put on Luca's arm and only spoke when spoken to, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself than I already was. They all commented on my looks and spoke suggestive things in Italian believing I didn't understand. Fuckers.
Luca showed no emotion as he shook hands and made small talk.
"Well, we have some business to attend to, don't we?" Carlino spoke to Luca after about twenty minutes of pointless chatter.
We followed Carlino to a small sitting area in the far corner by the window. There were two large, high back chairs that were angled towards the window that looked down onto the stage where the dancers were. Carlino sat down in the one closest to the wall and Luca sat in the other. I looked at Luca and he nodded his head at me. I took that as my queue that I am supposed to sit with him. I sat on the end of the abnormally large armrest and crossed my legs. I felt a familiar warmth make its way through my body as Luca placed a hand on my bare knee.
"So, how's everything going?" Carlino asked as he leaned back against the chair and lit a cigar from the side table. I could feel the music coming through the floors.
"Non sono qui per parlare. Ho solo bisogno dei file come abbiamo discusso," Luca's gruff voice spoke. He was completely focused on business and the files we needed. Nothing else. His eyes were void of any emotion, as was his face. His features were sharp and that thin silver chain that never left his neck sparkled against his skin. At this moment, he didn't look like sweet Luca. He looked like the assassin and businessman his father raised him to be.
(I'm not here to talk. I just need the files as we discussed.)
Carlino let out a boisterous laugh. "Always serious, this one," he spoke while motioning to Luca.
Luca's words worked, however, because within the next couple of seconds, Carlino was motioning for one of his men to bring the files, and the manilla folders were placed on the table between the chairs. But when Luca went to reach for it, Carlino stopped him.
"Now hold on for just a second, young Moretti. I've changed my terms on which you get these." I felt Luca's hand tighten on my knee, but his face never changed.
Carlino had the look of the devil dancing in his eyes as the beady orbs made their way over to my legs and up my body.
"We had already agreed, Carlino, on the terms and I have already filled my duties," Luca tried to reason, but I could tell it wasn't going to work. Carlino had already made up his mind.
"All I'm asking is for one drink with the lady and a dance. Is that too much to ask for?" A filthy smile appeared on his face, and at this point, I could begin to see a vein popping out of Luca's neck. I placed one of my hands on his shoulder and leaned down to his ear.
"It's okay, Gnocco. I'll do it." Luca stared me in the eyes, and for a moment, we held a silent battle between the two of us. I wasn't sure how important those files were, but with my father working like crazy and Stefano sending Luca out to do his dirty work, I know they needed them.
Eventually, Luca sighed and nodded his head reluctantly in agreement. I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Carlino smiled to himself in victory and walked over to us. He offered out a hand and I placed my much smaller one gently in his palm.
He leads me back downstairs and to the bar where two empty seats were. I sat cautiously in one while he sat in the other. He leaned over to me till his mouth was brushing my ear.
"What would you like to drink, Darling?" he whispered quietly, his hot breath making me internally squirm.
"Just a water is fine." I knew for a fact I wasn't drinking with him. Plus with the painkillers I've been on for the past week or so, it would more than likely end terribly for me.
He calls for the bartender and immediately a glass of water and a scotch are set in front of us. I take a sip from my glass and place a napkin over the top of it when I set it down. Carlino raised an eyebrow at me.
"What? Do you think I'll do something to you?" he chuckled, but there was no humor in his voice, only the sound of frustration.
"It's just normal protocol for me. Nothing against you," I reason with him. He nods his head and stares at me for a bit longer.
For the next ten minutes, he sips his scotch and makes small talk with me. Luca told me not to tell him anything, so I either make something up or tell him the bare minimum. I can tell he's growing frustrated at my clipped answers, but I'm saying just enough for him to not completely flip his shit.
"How about that dance?" I ask in the most suggestive voice I can muster up. This seems to help as he stands up and takes my hand, leading me all the way to the dance floor where some sort of Spanish tango is playing.
"Can you tango?" he asks while placing a filthy hand on my very low back. I hide my discomfort and do my best to look interested. I'm doing this for Luca.
"I know the basics, but I'm sure you're you'll teach me," I whisper to him. He smirks and then we're dancing. I learned the basics of tango when I was in dance classes as a kid, but this was different. He moved my body wherever and would continuously move his hand lower down my back till it firmly sat on the lower side of my hip. And although I hate to say it, he was a fantastic dancer. And halfway through the song, we were the only people left dancing.
When the dance came to a close, he dipped me and gripped my one leg close to him. He was breathing heavily and the look in his eyes told me if I didn't want to be kissed, I should stand up right now, and that's exactly what I did. I turned my eyes to Luca who was standing by the front door of the club with my coat and purse with murder written in his eyes.
I faced Carlino again and I couldn't decipher the look on his face. All I knew is that he was not quite happy with how things ended.
"Goodnight, Carlino, and thank you for the dance," I tell him. I hurry off the dance floor and Luca ushers me out of the building quickly and into the cold December air and the heavy snow falling from the sky. He helps me with my coat and leads me to our car that the valet had brought up. The crowds on the street were deafening and cramped, not really a great thing when we're trying to get the hell out of here.
I slide in and shut my door as Luca slams on the gas. We go flying down the street and eventually leave the lights of the big city behind us. Neither one of us speaks.
I furrow my eyebrows together as Luca slows the car and pulls over. Nothing can be seen for miles and the only light was coming from the moon and the dashboard.
"What-" I began but Luca held a hand up and let out a heavy breath. I closed my mouth and waited for him to say something.
It was quiet and the only thing that I could hear was the purr of the engine and the howling of the wind. Luca brought his hands up and rubbed his face while closing his eyes. I could tell he was thinking about what to say and how to say it.
"I promised you, Keeley," he began quietly. His hands fell from his face and landed carelessly in his lap. He turned his head to face me. "I promised you that nobody would ever put their hands on you again, and tonight, that's exactly what happened and I did nothing to stop it. I failed you."
I think my heart actually just broke. Luca looked helpless, completely broken, and hating himself for what happened. I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned closer to him, cupping his face in my hands. His blue eyes held a sort of pain I hadn't seen in him before. It killed me to think he was blaming himself.
"Gnocco, nothing that happened tonight was your fault," I whispered quietly to him, trying to put every emotion I can into my voice to convince him that it's the truth.
"But it is!" he shouted while throwing his hands in the air and hitting the steering wheel. I leaned back and closed my eyes.
"But it's not, Luca," I tried to reason, but he wasn't listening. He turned away from me and got out of the car.
"Luca!" I yelled as I opened my own door. I pulled my coat tighter around me as I walked around the car and to him. He was tugging at the ends of his now snow-covered hair.
"You need to listen to me!" I grabbed his arm and spun him around title he faced me.
"It's snowing, Keeley. You should be in the car." He sounded completely defeated with the exhaustion leaking into his deep voice.
"I'm not going back till you do and you need to listen. Nothing that happened tonight was your fault nor my own. It was fucking Carlino's and that's it. Your father needed the files, we got them, nobody was hurt."
"But you were uncomfortable!" he hollered. He walked closer to me and I backed up, but eventually my legs hit the hood of the car. Luca didn't stop though as the look in his eyes intensified and his face got closer to mine. I leaned back till I was sitting on the hood as Luca placed his hands on either side of my thighs.
I held my head high and stared at him. Luca wanted me to admit it was his fault. That would give him control over this situation and he could feel better, but like hell I was going to let him take the blame for something he didn't do. His emotions were all over the place right now. He wanted to be right and he wanted to be wrong. He wanted me to be mad but at the same time okay. He wanted it all.
"You're right. I was uncomfortable," I tell him sternly. His eyes light up in victory but that look vanishes as I begin to talk again. "But, I was fine. We are both fine and will continue to be fine. I'm not going to let you take the blame, Luca. I still trust you one-hundred percent, and next time if you want to beat the living shit out of somebody, then go ahead, but you will not in any way take the blame for tonight."
I can tell he's losing the battle within himself because the smallest smile causes the corner of his lips to turn up. He shakes his head back and forth and then returns his gaze to mine.
"Fine, but I promise you Keeley, the next person who puts their hands on you, no matter who the fuck they are, they will be punished. That's a promise I will not break."
I knew Luca would take that promise to his grave. Hell, Luca would probably do just about anything for me.
I smiled as he leaned closer to me and kissed me sweetly. It wasn't rushed, and it wasn't hard: it was a promise. He pulled back after placing one final peck to my mouth. Luca helped me off the car and walked me over to my door, being his normal gentlemen self and opening the door for me.
I was about to get in, but I turned to face him and took in how he looks right now: the powdery snow covering his hair, shadows cast across his handsome face, the thin silver chain shimmering. He was handsome.
"Luca?" I ask softly. His head tilts to the side.
"Yes, baby?"
"If you ever, and I mean ever, yell in my face like that again, I will stab you."
His head fell backward as a thundering laugh bubbled up from his chest and filled the quiet air around us. And when he looked back at me with that million-dollar smile, I smiled too.
"Okay, Keeley. Okay."
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Oh my gosh, it is finally up! I'm so sorry about the prolonged update but we will be getting back to the weekly updates as of now! I hope you all loved this chapter as much as I did and please tell me what you think!
Happy Reading!
Final Word Count: 6898