5. Lucia

CHAPTER 5

Lucia

P ressing my phone against my ear with my shoulder, I slam my car door shut while holding a cup of coffee with my other hand.

"You're being dramatic, sorella ," I say, shaking my head.

My sister probably called as soon as she woke up this morning. I've been up for a couple of hours. I had to be, considering my plan to sneak out of that hotel room at the crack of dawn. I feel a little terrible about it, but it was the right thing to do. Mind-blowing sex or not, Ivan Volkov doesn't seem like the kind of man I should be entangled with.

I had a night of fun that I can look back on fondly. That's all that matters. I don't regret what happened, I just don't fancy being caught in a web with a man who has so much darkness surrounding him.

"Dramatic?" Aurora screeches. "You're the one having sex with men you don't know."

I sigh softly. Owing to the fact that Aurora was instrumental in raising me, she sometimes acts more like my mother than my sister.

"It's called a one-night stand, Rory. Look it up. They're fun, you should try it sometime."

"Not only am I married, I would also not ever be caught dead doing something so reckless," my sister scolds.

"You're judgy this morning," I say on a laugh. "Pregnancy hormones?"

"No! And I hate that every burst of emotion from me these past few months has been relegated to being caused by my pregnancy. I'm a human being; I can be pissed without it being related to the child currently growing in my belly."

"Okay, fine. I apologize. You're allowed to be as angry as you want at me. It has nothing to do with my precious nephew."

"Exactly," she mutters. "Now back to your behavior, missy."

I lean against a pillar in the underground parking garage, deciding to finish this conversation before heading up to my office.

"Aurora, let it go."

"No. You seriously need to learn to be careful, Lucia. What if that man had ended up being a serial killer? You said he had bodyguards. What kind of person moves around New York with bodyguards?"

I shrug. "A rich person. Oooh, maybe he works in government, a politician?"

"You gave you a name, right? Look him up," Aurora suggests.

"I already tried. Nothing came up."

"And that doesn't raise any red flags?"

"Of course it does," I answer cheerfully. "Which is why I'm not going to see him again."

"I don't like this. I could ask Nico. I'm sure he can find him."

"No. It's not necessary for either you or your husband to meddle in this any further. I had a one-night stand. It's over, we can all move on and enjoy our lives."

Aurora's silent for a couple of moments before she sighs. "Fine."

"Thank you. How are you feeling, though? You're getting close to your due date."

"Yeah, about two weeks left. I have a feeling he's going to come earlier though, just to fuck with me," she grumbles.

I smile. "I can't wait to meet my little nephew."

I already put in a leave of absence at work, a couple of weeks to visit my sister and her husband at their home in Chicago. I hate to leave for so long, but this is family. It's important.

"He can't wait to meet you too," Aurora assures me. "Anyway, I gotta go. Nico's bringing in my morning smoothie."

"Tell him I said hi."

"Will do. Bye, amore . And stay out of trouble."

"I won't," I say assuredly. "Love you."

I hang up the call with a grin. Talking to my sister always brightens my day. She's my rock. I wouldn't be here without her, and I am so immensely grateful to her for raising me and doing everything she could to take care of me.

As always, the office is bustling with activity when I walk through the elevator door. Simone sidles up beside me as if she were summoned the moment I appeared.

"Good morning, Ms. Kent."

"Morning," I greet back with a smile.

She follows me into my office as I slip off my coat and heels, getting comfortable for the day.

"I'm really sorry about last night. I can't believe Hans didn't show up," she says as soon as we're both seated.

My jaw tightens and I'm angry all over again at the thought of that dickhead standing me up. If Ivan hadn't shown up, I would have probably gone home after buying a dart board. Then I would have spent all night using his face as target practice.

I exhale softly, deciding not to let it bother me. It's a good thing Hans didn't show, actually. I got to experience what was probably the best sex of my life, so really it all worked out in the end.

"Did he reschedule?" I ask blandly, picking up a couple of files on my desk—shoe catalogues and prospective brand deals for models affiliated with the magazine.

Simone nods. "Yes, his assistant got in touch with me. He's requested a meeting after lunch instead, here at the office."

"Alright. I'll see him then."

And he'd better walk into this office with an apology on his lips.

Simone leaves after laying out my schedule for the day, and before I know it, I'm lost in my work. The next few hours pass by quickly and soon enough it's lunch time.

I do a cute little dance in my feet as I stand, ready to make the short walk to Mr. Rivera's truck. His tacos are the best pick-me-up. Unfortunately I don't get very far in my quest for the delicious tortilla filled with meat and salsa. As soon as I grab my coat, there's a knock on my office door, and before I can call for whoever it is to enter, in walks Hans Murray.

The designer steps into my office in a cloud of Chanel Number Five and his signature leather pants, his long dark hair tied up in a ponytail at the back of his head. My mouth drops open at the sight of him.

"Hans, I wasn't expecting you until later," I point out when I finally find my tongue.

"Well, I'm here now," he says dismissively, taking a seat in front of my desk without invitation.

My heart sinks at the realization that I'm not going to be able make it to Mr. Rivera's for lunch. And then irritation swells within me.

This asshole is officially on my hit list.

Still, I drop my coat back on the hanger before shuffling back into my seat. I do my best imitation of a professional mask as I look at the thirty-something designer.

"It's nice to see you. You look great," I say, pandering to his already enormous ego.

"You too, darling," he returns. "Can we get this meeting over with fast? I'm missing an important movie premiere for this."

My mouth very nearly falls open again. Not only did this fucking asshole stand me up last night, he's also not apologizing and trying to hassle me into rushing a meeting that shouldn't even be happening right now.

I clench my hands into fists and pray to God for patience and strength.

"Okay," I say slowly. "As I'm sure you're aware, this month's issue goes to press in a week. There's been rumors that your new line will be announced soon, and we were hoping you'd announce it exclusively with our magazine. We'd like to feature some of your pieces."

Hans's lips pull up into a small smile and a chill goes through me. And not the good kind. It's not that the man is abhorrent to look at. He has classically good looks and a charming personality, when he sees it fit to show it. But most of the time, he's an awful proud human being, and if it were up to me, I would never be anywhere in his vicinity.

Plus, there've always been rumors about him assaulting the women he's worked with. It's never been confirmed, but he definitely gives me sexual predator vibes.

"And why should I do that, Lucia? What's in it for me?"

"Free publicity? Knowing that you're working with a reputable magazine that'll expose your work to even more of the world."

"Screw that. If I really needed the publicity, I'd go work with Vogue instead."

Like Vogue would want to work with you, asshole , I think bitterly. "What is it that you want, Hans?"

He smirks, leaning back in his chair as his green eyes roam my face. "You know you're drop dead gorgeous. How about we go on a date sometime? You like movies?"

If he had asked me this any other time, I would have declined in a much more respectful manner. But at the thought of him skipping out on dinner last night, my blood ices over.

"You couldn't pay me to go out with you, Hans," I say, glaring at him.

He's momentarily taken aback, his eyebrows rising at my tone. Then he lets out a chuckle. "There's that legendary fire I've heard so much about. I've always liked passionate women. Translates well in bed."

My eyes widen at his audacity. And I realize today is the day I bitch slap a man.

"I'm going to consider that a momentary lapse in judgment. But say something like that to me again and I swear you'll regret it. In fact, I think you should leave. If we can't come to sensible, professional terms, then you're not meant to be working with our magazine in the first place."

Instead of standing up, he continues with that godawful smirk. The glint in his eyes is predatory, making my skin crawl.

"Come on, Lucia. Think about what I can offer your company. You don't want to do something you'll regret later on."

"On the contrary, I could never regret turning down someone like you. You can go, Mr. Murray," I say harshly, getting to my feet. "Leave before I call security."

He stands and I hate that he still has that self-assured swagger. I think he's going to leave the office but he walks over to me instead. I barely have time to react before he's gripping my arms and walking me back toward the wall.

"Let me go!" I shout.

"Shh," he whispers, pressing one hand over my mouth. "Don't shout, darling. I just want talk without all that attitude getting in the way."

I'm still fighting to get out of his grip, considering he has me pressed against the wall. My heart starts to race as the helplessness of the situation dawns on me. Then I remember who I am. I used to be a mafia princess. And growing up, one of my first combat lessons was that the best way to take a man down is to knee them in the balls.

"You fucking bitch!" Hans screams when I lift my knee and slam it into his tiny dick.

He falls backward, clutching the area, but I'm not done. I hear my office door open right before I raise my hand to slap his fucking face.

"You're a fucking asshole! And I'm sick of you parading about like you're hot shit. News flash, Hans, the only reason you're where you are today is because your mommy got you into the industry. Nepotism will only get you so far, though. And at the rate you're going, it'll lead you right to hell. Touch me or any other woman like that again and I'll make sure you spend the rest of your pathetic existence in jail!"

Someone gasps, "Ms. Kent."

The haze in my vision clears and I look up to find Simone standing in the doorway of my office. The door is wide open, and looking inside are a couple other employees.

Fuck!