Page 73 of Born into Blood

I shrug and smile down at her. “I’ve been working more and trying to make some friends.” I hesitate before saying, “I’m trying to have a normal life, Mom.”

The hurt look that flashes across her face has me regretting my words.

“I’m sorry I’ve made things harder for you, Lara. I just want to keep you safe. You can’t be like everyone else,” she reminds me. “Your life is always going to be in danger because of the Melnikovs.”

I have to bite back the words that want to come pouring out of my mouth. I want to scream at her and confront her about the club and Lou and what he told me about my wonderful father, who apparently was some scumbag asshole who beat her on the regular, but now isn’t the time for all that, so I just sigh and say, “I won’t be too late. We can talk more about everything then.”

An hour later when Luka texts me that he’s here, I’m more than ready to leave. I give Pip a kiss on his cute head and hug my mom goodbye before getting my ass out of there as quickly as I can. As soon as the elevator doors open, Luka is cupping my face and pressing his lips to mine, kissing me like he hasn’t seen me in weeks. I’ve missed him just as badly, and when I run my tongue along his, he groans and lifts me up so I can wrap my legs around him. Even though it’s hot, I’m wearing jeans and a light, long-sleeved tee that he quickly snakes a hand under, splaying it out against my lower back.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he says as soon as our lips part. “I couldn’t fucking sleep without you. You’ve completely ruined me, kisa. I need you in my bed every damn night from here on out.”

I smile and run my hands through his dark hair. “Sounds good to me.”

He laughs and gives my ass a light smack. “Perfect. Let’s go meet my family and then we’re getting you packed up.” He smiles down at me. “I even drove my car so we’d have room for all your stuff.”

Nodding, I run my eyes over the dark, long-sleeved tee he’s wearing and then quirk a brow at him. He cups my cheek and kisses my forehead. “I didn’t want you to feel self-conscious about being the only one dressed like this.”

It’s so damn sweet that I’m at a loss for words. I just run my hands up his arms and try like hell to not get too emotional about the fact that he’s chosen to cover up, even though we’ll be outside in the blazing heat at his family’s cookout. It’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.

“That’s really sweet, Luka,” I finally whisper, my voice shaky and raw with emotion.

His thumb grazes the skin of my cheek. “I would do anything for you, kisa. Wearing a long-sleeved shirt is the very least of it. Solidarity, baby. I’ll always have your back.”

I smile up at him as he leads me to the passenger side and helps me get in. Being with Luka makes me feel like I constantly need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.

“You seem too good to be true,” I tell him when he gets in and starts the car.

He looks over at me with the sweetest damn smile on his face. “You’re the one who’s too good to be true, kisa, and you deserve far better than a man like me. I’ll do everything I can to always make sure you never regret choosing me.”

“I could never regret anything when it comes to you,” I tell him.

He gives me a wink and kisses the back of my hand before starting the car and driving out. I’m nervous as hell about meeting his family, and the closer we get, the more I start to fidget. He finally gives a soft laugh and squeezes my thigh.

“They’re going to love you, baby,” he tells me.

“Maybe, but what if they don’t?”

“They will.”

I try to be as confident as he is, but when he pulls up to the biggest damn house I’ve ever seen, I’m back to fidgeting and worrying. There’s a large, iron fence surrounding the property and actual fucking armed guards patrolling the front.

“What the hell?” I ask, making Luka laugh again.

“This is Dominic’s house. We’re all kind of paranoid when it comes to those we love. He’s always had a lot of security, but after he married Natalya and their daughter was born, he added even more.”

The closest guard recognizes Luka and nods to one of the other men while saying something in Italian. Soon the gate is opening and we’re driving through.

“Jesus,” I whisper, looking up at the mansion, all too aware of the tiny apartment I was raised in. My lack of money has never felt so obvious to me, and I hate how it makes me feel.

“Don’t look like that,” Luka tells me after he’s parked in between a black Porsche and a red Aston Martin.

“Jesus,” I whisper again, stunned by the wealth that surrounds me.

“Look at me, kisa.”

When I’m still gawking at the long line of luxury cars, he gently hooks a finger under my chin and tilts my face back to his.

“It’s just money, baby. My dad and uncles grew up poor, and they swore they’d never live like that again. Remember I told you my cousin Nikita is great with computers and that he can hack into anything?”

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