Chapter 298: I’m Going To Be There
Luca couldn’t suppress a quiet chuckle.
"From where I’m standing, this feels less like a dinner and more like a well-organized assassination attempt." She finally dropped into the sofa with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through her hair. The anger that had fueled her outburst began to give way to genuine worry. Beneath her sharp tongue and fiery temperament was a fierce protectiveness for her sister, one that Luca understood all too well.
"Oh, Ricardo is so going to get it," Vee declared, leaning back against the cushions, her eyes narrowing with determination. "I promise you I am going to strangle him in ways he hasn’t even begun to imagine yet," Vee said.
"Yes! Yes! Be mad at Ricardo! I had nothing to do with it!" Luca said quickly, seizing the opportunity, grasping at a life raft. His hands lifted in mock surrender, a hopeful grin spreading across his face.
"Oh, shut up!" Vee snapped, rolling her eyes so dramatically it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck.
With a quiet sigh, Luca stepped closer and knelt in front of her.
"I’m going to be there," he said gently. "Do you really think I would let anything happen to your sister? Whether with Bianca or not? Hell, if both of you were in danger, I’d save Valentina first. Because if I save you first, you’d kill me yourself."
A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "You’re not wrong," she admitted, shaking her head. "I probably would."
"I hate it when your wife is in town," she confessed. "She just gets everyone on edge. It’s maddening."
Luca nodded in agreement, a rueful smile crossing his face. "Yeah, she is like that," he said. "She has a way of... unsettling people."
There was a brief pause. Luca, still caught in the lingering relief of diffused tension, spoke without thinking. "She touched my cock today," he added nonchalantly.
Luca’s brain then caught up with his mouth. His expression froze, eyes widening slightly as realization dawned. Well, that was spectacularly stupid, he thought.
Vee blinked once, then twice, her smile evaporating instantly. "She did what?" she demanded, her voice rising in pitch and volume.
Luca scrambled to recover, pushing himself hastily to his feet. He cleared his throat, avoiding her piercing gaze. "Ohkay... I’m gonna go take a shower and prepare for that dinner," he muttered, his words tumbling over each other in his haste to escape.
"Luca!" Vee called after him but he was already retreating with surprising speed. "Luciano Genovese! Get back here! You fucking asshole!" She jumped to her feet, fury reigniting with impressive speed. Luca, already halfway up the stairs, didn’t bother looking back. Instead, he quickened his pace, his laughter trailing behind him.
"Are you frigging kidding me?!" she shouted, charging up the staircase in hot pursuit. The scene looked like a dramatic lovers’ quarrel rather than the chaotic bond of two people who thrived on banter and mutual exasperation.
Luca slipped into the bedroom and quietly pulled the door almost shut, positioning himself behind it. He pressed his back against the wall, stifling a grin as he listened to Vee’s rapid footsteps approaching.
The door banged open with force. Before she could take another step, Luca reached out and grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms securely around her waist.
"You are so dramatic," Luca chuckled, his breath brushing against her ear.
Vee huffed, the corners of her lips twitched despite her annoyance. "You better start talking, Mister," she demanded, attempting to twist around in his hold but not making a serious effort to escape. "What do you mean she touched your cock?"
Luca tightened his arms slightly, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. "It was just for a moment," he explained. "I brushed her off immediately. Nothing happened. I just feel the need to tell you these things," he continued. "So you can keep trusting me."
The tension in her body melted instantly. The anger that had propelled her up the stairs dissolved, replaced by a warmth she hadn’t anticipated. She leaned back into his embrace, allowing herself to relax in the safety of his arms.
"Awwww..." she cooed, her earlier fury completely forgotten. "You’re so sweet."
Luca smiled, relieved by her reaction. Being honest with Vee felt necessary, a reassurance that he valued their bond above all else.
"I trust you," she added, tilting her head slightly to look at him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I was just yanking your chain."
Luca laughed softly. "You nearly gave me a heart attack," he teased.
"Well, you deserve it," she shot back playfully.
"Do I get a reward?" Luca asked.
"For what?" Vee scrunched her face as she turned to look at him, her brows knitting together.
"I just confessed my soul to you," Luca said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest.
Vee rolled her eyes. "You want a confession too?"
"No," he replied. "I want something else."
"Are you going to say what I think you are going to say?" she asked cautiously, searching his face for clarity.
Luca shook his head gently. "No. I respect your decision," he said before he added with a roguish smirk, "But in light of that, I don’t have to be quite particular about where I leave my cum now, do I?"
"What are you saying?" she asked, the heat rising to her cheeks suggested she already understood.
Instead of answering, Luca turned her around, guiding her toward the dresser. His hands settled on her hips. He placed her palms on the surface, their reflections visible in the mirror before them.
Their eyes met in the glass—hers filled with anticipation and vulnerability, his with unmistakable desire.
Luca leaned closer, his breath warm against the curve of her neck. "You know exactly what I’m saying," he murmured.
A soft shiver ran through Vee as his fingers traced the waistband of her jeans. His fingers moved to the buttons of her jeans, unfastening them slowly. The zipper followed.
Vee’s reflection revealed flushed cheeks and parted lips. She steadied herself against the dresser, her heart pounding as Luca’s hands continued their gentle exploration.
(Brought to you by Janelle Fox. 4/4)
****What is this love for Marco? First, I just found out a supporting character is ranking number 2? Number 2? Higher than our formidable female lead? Why? Why? Why? Upon popular request, I will be making a tiny, really teeny tiny tweak to the plot and leave our Marco mostly fine.