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“Things happened, so it’s been…” I don’t know if it’s been canceled or postponed. “It hasn’t happened yet.”
“And you didn’t invite family?”
“Why would I invite Niko? He’s not even here, and it’s because of me.”
She looks away for a moment. I know I’ve hit the nail on the head.
“I don’t want to ruin Lucy’s shower. Just know that I’m happy with Luca. Is that enough?”
She nods. “That’s more than enough. If Luca truly makes you happy, then I'll support you, no matter what."
I feel a weight lift from my shoulders, and I lean in to hug Elena tightly. "Thank you, Elena. It means the world to me to have your support." Not that she’ll change Niko’s mind because I doubt she can, but I have at least one ally.
After the party, I make my way back to the hotel with Bruno’s watchful eyes keeping me safe. I check my phone and see a missed call from Luca. I press the redial, eager to hear his voice. I hear it, but it’s his voicemail message. I do the math to figure out the time in Italy. It’s nearly midnight. Perhaps he’s sleeping. I can’t stop the image of Electra in my room coming to mind and making the leap to her being in bed with him. I shake it from my mind. I trust him. I trust him. Am I talking myself into that?
We reach the hotel suite.
“Thank you for escorting me, Bruno. I’m sure it’s not as exciting as your normal duties.” I use the keycard to unlock the door.
“I don’t know. Lucia is scarier than I remember.”
I laugh, and he laughs with me. “I forgot you know her,” I say.
“She was very good to Luca’s father. Everyone respects and admires her for that.”
Stepping into the hotel suite, I go to my room to change. Once in yoga pants and a T-shirt, I sit on the bed and try to call Luca again. Again, the call goes to voicemail. Worry grows. I pace the room, my mind racing with possibilities. What if something has happened to him? What if one of Sabini’s men made a move against Luca? The thought of Luca being in danger sends a shiver down my spine.
Sinking down onto the edge of the bed, I try to calm my racing thoughts. I need to be level-headed, to think this through rationally. Perhaps Luca is simply busy, caught up in some important business matters. Maybe he’s just asleep. There's no need to jump to the worst-case scenario.
Still, I can't shake the uneasy feeling that something is wrong. I exit the bedroom and find Bruno on the couch looking at his phone.
“Have you heard from Luca?” I ask.
He glances up. “Sure.”
“Now?”
He studies me. “Is there a problem?”
“He’s not answering his phone.”
“He could be at the club. It’s hard to hear there. Or maybe asleep.” Bruno doesn’t sound concerned, so I shouldn’t be.
I nod. “Okay. If you want dinner, you can order room service.”
“Are you hungry?”
I shake my head. “I ate a lot at the shower. I think I’ll take a soak in the tub and call it a night. I’ve got a shopping day planned tomorrow.”
He nods, and I suspect he’d rather be facing the enemy than chaperoning me around boutique shops.
“Will you let me know if you hear from him?” I ask.
“Of course. But don’t worry.”
That’s easier said than done. As I sit in the bubbly hot water of the tub, I realize that worry is a part of this world. I imagine Elena and Kate worry all the time when Niko and Liam are working. Maybe Lucy worries too, although she’s such a badass, I’m sure she’s right alongside Donovan when shit goes down.
For a moment, I wonder if that’s the type of stress I want in my life. I think about what I could do if I wasn’t with a man in organized crime. But the idea of not being with Luca feels much worse. I’d rather worry about him than try to live a life without him.
