11. Luca

Chapter eleven

Luca

I t's harder to walk away from Kylie than I expected, but it was time to end the night or I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands off her. Seeing her again was like a punch to the stomach. Even more so, her kiss. Damn, if it wasn't hard to pull back.

I stalk across the club with so much built up energy; I have to keep myself from confronting Lisa. She's got her back to me as she flirts with a table of men, but I've already clocked her sneaking looks over her shoulder since I came back into the club.

I don't like the glare she aimed at Kylie tonight. The girl is becoming more trouble than she's worth. Tim, my club manager, may need to re-evaluate if she's worth keeping.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I stop at the bar for another drink and take it back to my office. With my mind firmly back on Kylie, I change my plans for her. A month no longer seems long enough to indulge in this attraction. I can admit to myself that my need for her is different from anything I've felt for a woman before, and I don’t know what to do with that. We had a conversation, and it ended with me wanting more.

I never want more .

Life has been stagnant for some time and all it took was one look at Kylie and everything shifted. The problem is, the longer I hang onto her, the more I'll be dragging her into this life. She's meant for someone less jaded. To settle down in a house with a white picket fence and a brood of kids.

That's her future.

And why the fuck do I want to punch something?

Booting up my computer, I shoot off an email to Tim requesting a meeting. I should get some work done while I wait for the guys, but this restlessness isn't conducive to paperwork. Right now, I'm wishing I was in my gym so I could work this excess energy off. Instead, I lean back in my chair and watch the monitors while I drink more scotch.

I don't know how long I've been sitting here drinking and watching the activity in the club when Gio and Rafael return. Gio passes Lisa and smacks her on the ass. She jumps before giving him a flirty smile over her shoulder as he continues past. I shake my head at his antics. He's always gone for the difficult ones. It's like he needs to punish himself.

As soon as they enter my office, I'm already asking if she's settled okay. I don't understand my need to ask when I know good and well they wouldn't be here if she wasn't.

Rafael's quiet as he rounds the chair to sit, eyeing me as he leans back, clasping his hands on his stomach.

I stare back.

His lips twitch before he looks down at my empty glass.

"Little Bit is tucked away safe and sound." Gio lumbers over and sprawls into his chair next to Rafael.

My eyes narrow. "Little Bit?" I don't like that he has a pet name for her.

"Yeah man. You and Rafe gave her a nickname. It's only fair that I get one, too." Gio flashes his teeth when I growl.

I contemplate if I've drunk too much to challenge him to a boxing match at the house. It's something we love to do when any of us need to let off steam. However, I can't afford to be slow on my feet with Gio. I should've left the damn scotch alone. I could've used a night punching him in the teeth.

"You're taking her to dinner with the chief of police and the mayor tomorrow night?" Rafael asks, raising his eyebrow.

"I am." Leaning back in my chair, I steeple my fingers and wait for more.

"Do you think that's smart? The chief is bound to know her through her father."

I shrug. "I have no reason to hide from her parents."

"Whoa. I thought you said she was temporary?" Gio looks from me to Rafael before shaking his head. "Fuck. I'm going to lose that bet."

"You're not losing the bet. I'm just not going to let her go as soon as I thought I would. We'll stick to the six-month contract. I just don't want her trying to divide her time between me and her parents. He's recovering. She won't stay away from him for six months. Not that I would ask her too, and I don't plan on sitting on the sidelines when she's with them. Besides, her dad needs to know he should protect her better."

Rafael tilts his head, studying me, but doesn't push for more. Gio, on the other hand, is always pushing.

"I like her. If I'm going to lose a bet, I'm good with this one."

I sigh. "Let it go." Standing, I grab my jacket and head for the door. "I need to go over the new hotel acquisition before dinner tomorrow."

However, instead of the acquisition, my thoughts are consumed with what I plan to request from the stylist for Angel. Something I won't admit to the guys or I'd never hear the end of it.

***

The moment I walk through the front door, my cell goes off. I throw my keys on the entry table before pulling my cell out of the inner pocket of my jacket, frowning at the screen when I see who's calling. Tilting my head back, I stare at the ceiling and blow out a breath. I give myself a moment before straightening to accept the call.

"What?" I continue into the house, stopping in the living room to stare out the windows and brace for this conversation.

"A cop's daughter? What the fuck are you thinking, Luca?"

"He's a former cop, and how the fuck do you know about her already? Better yet, why the fuck do you care?"

"Your cousins use your service. If you go down, they go down and that's unacceptable."

"Come on, Rome, I'm smarter than that. Your boys were never put in the system. I don't want to get caught up in your shit just as much as you don't want to in mine. And if that isn't enough for you, forbid them from using my service. I don't need their money. The company is thriving with or without their membership."

"You'd rather lose cash flow than cut ties to this woman? I know you left the family after your father died and what time you were a part of it wasn't good, but having the link to us makes you a very protected man in the city. Do you know how many would try to extort you for information? You have a goldmine in blackmail, brother."

My nostrils flare. "Don't call me brother. We aren't brothers. And I'd never bow down to the pressure of snitching. My companies thrive because of my discretion. You've been good about staying out of my business. I don't mind some of your cousins—"

"They're your cousins too."

"—but if you think you can step in and dictate my business to me, you're dead wrong."

"Watch it, Luca. That sounded an awful lot like a threat."

"It's not a threat. I'm telling you to butt the fuck out. You have your options. You’re getting nothing more from me." Disconnecting the call, I toss the phone on the couch only for it to ring again. Ready for round two, I grab the phone and check the screen. I breathe easier when I see it's not Rome, but my stylist. Unclenching my teeth, I take a moment to calm down before accepting the call.

"Yes?"

"Sir. It's Joanna. I got your request and I've already found a few pieces. I've emailed the options to you. Let me know what you decide and I'll deliver them tomorrow."

"Thank you, Joanna. I'll take a look and respond within the hour."

"Thank y—" I disconnect the call before she finishes.

"Fuck." Sitting on the leather sofa, my arms on my thighs and my head hanging down, I worry over the fact that Rome has someone watching my business. Is it only Sweet Connections they’re monitoring or all of my companies? Their interference is not wanted. I run a hand through my hair before sending a group text to Rafael and Gio, letting them know what happened and instruct Rafael to look into it.

I go to lay the phone down but pause.

Fuck it.

Pulling up Kylie's contact, I start a text.

Are you asleep?

She doesn't respond right away, so I relax back onto the sofa and stare at the ceiling. When did I become a teenage boy again? Not that I was ever like this as a kid. I spent my time worrying about how to make enough money, being a greedy fucker and wanting a better life. A life away from what my parents had.

My phone dings.

This better be Luca. If it isn't, you should know that I know how to gut a fish.

I bark out a laugh. That's the last thing I expected her to reply with.

Angel, I'm thinking I gave you the wrong pet name. Did your dad take you fishing?

Yes, as well as hunting. He wanted me to be able to handle any situation thrown at me. He taught me how to hunt, fish, hike, build a fire, you name it.

I'm impressed. He could've just as easily sheltered you. I admit, it was my first impression of you.

That I'm sheltered?

I call you Angel because you look the part.

My dad's seen the worst of this world. He wanted me prepared. He knows he can't be there for me every second of the day. Someday when I have kids, I'll do the same.

Being a cop, I bet he has, but he could've just as easily shielded you from it.

How do you know he's a cop?

I hesitate. Right now, she's unaware that I own Sweet Connections and I would like to keep it that way for as long as I can. I also find myself not wanting to lie to her, so I give her the only response I can that's still the truth.

I had Rafael look into you as soon as I saw you that first day.

What? Like a background check?

Yes. I always run background checks on anyone I associate with. It saves me from some bad business dealings.

Ah shit. That didn't come out right. I quickly type a new text, hoping to fix it.

Not that you are a business dealing. Only that I knew I wanted to see you again.

Dots form on the screen and go on for a long time before they stop, but nothing appears. Well, fuck. This night went downhill fast. Sighing, I pocket my phone and head to my home office. As I sit down to turn the computer on, my phone dings and I'm relieved it's from her.

You were right the first time. I am a business dealing. And I wanted to see you again too.

A strange feeling comes over me, reading the last sentence. From her, the admission is unexpected. Any other woman and I would think they were only words. But from Kylie, it feels genuine.

Sweet dreams, Angel. I'll see you tomorrow night.

Not liking how I reminded her of why we're together, I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension as I think of ways I can make this up to her. The problem is, even if I fix it when I pick her up tomorrow, I'll be throwing another unpleasant gift her way. I rethink my decision to blindside her with this dinner. Maybe she won't care. She'll be introduced as my girlfriend, so she has nothing to worry about.

Deciding to let it go, I search for the email Joanna sent. After reviewing the dress options, I select three, but ask her to only present the black one for tomorrow. I can appreciate Kylie wanting to have something less revealing for this particular dinner.

With that decision made, I turn my attention to the hotel project we'll be discussing. After I revamp the hotel, I want it to be the new location for the annual police and firefighter charity galas. They're currently being held at a competitor’s hotel, but I think the current location isn't housing what they need. Hence the business dinner. It's a way to get their input and make them feel connected to the new space, making it an easy decision to relocate the event.

Whether Kylie will know it or not, she's the perfect companion for this dinner meeting. She has a direct connection through her father and could give valuable insight. I would love to see her help plan the event when the time comes .

And the fact that I'm having these thoughts means I need to step back. Fuck. How am I already thinking about her hosting my events?