Page 58 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

I remember the incident at the cafeteria, hating how I agreed to them grabbing pizza. If Luca considered it a date, something must have happened to make him conclude that.

Luca continues. “I warned him off. He won’t be back but it got me thinking.”

“You want to take his place?” I laugh bitterly. “No fucking way.”

“Don’t be a fool, Frankie.”

My rage is rising along with my fist and as he catches it in midair before it connects with his face, he hisses, “We live the same life. Why not allow me to protect your sister? We would be good together and if you cleared the rage fog in your head, you will see I’m right.”

I lower my fist as his words hit home.

“I heard your mom met your father in this place under the same conditions and they went there anyway behind her brother’s back. Your father formed a club with members of other mafia families under the same roof as we live now. Why wouldn’t that work for us? It turned out well for them and I’m informing you of my intentions before I do anything about it. I won’t go behind your back but there is nobody else here I am remotely interested in.”

“What if she’s not interested in you?”

His voice comes out as a low growl. “She is.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because when I interfered with her date, I took the guy’s place and asked her.”

“So you did go behind my back?” My lip curls in contempt and Luca shrugs.

“We shared pizza and a kiss. Now, I’m stating my intention and if Summer doesn’t want me, she won’t agree to enter the challenge. It’s simple. I only want her and I want it to be done in the right way. If she is claimed by me, no other jock, nerd or wannabe will dare approach her. She will be protected by me and I’m not a bastard with women, Frankie. If anything, she is safer with me than anyone, and you know it.”

He fixes me with an intense glare and adds, “We are the same and live a difficult life but share the same values. We could be good for one another in the future and there is nothing wrong with an alliance between us. One day, you will be Don Majerio and I will be Don Romano. We will work together as friends, not enemies, and if Summer is part of that alliance, you will breathe easier knowing she is in good hands.”

“I don’t like it.”

I slump against the wall, hating that he speaks sense. Summer is a stunning girl who will be hit on by almost every guy with a pulse at Rockwell. Luca is a dark force that would shield her from that and having one guy to worry about rather than the rest of them would make my life a lot easier. And he spoke the truth. It worked out for my parents and he was more honorable than they were toward my Uncle Angelo by asking my permission.

As the fog clears, I take a deep breath and regain my control. Turning, I fix him with a dark glare and say heavily, “On one condition.”

PART IV

LUCA & SUMMER

27

SUMMER

As soon as he enters the room, the atmosphere darkens. I watch Luca head into the basement, closely following Frankie. A shiver passes through me when Frankie’s eyes find mine and I detect the tension surrounding the two guys.

Frankie knows.

The full horror of my situation is about to hit me as Frankie learns what happened with Luca Romano. I almost can’t breathe as he heads my way with a deep glare and grasps my arm, and pulls me through the back door.

“Fuck, Frankie! What’s gotten into you?”

He slams the door behind him and huffs with frustration.

“You went on a date with Luca Romano. I’m sure you realize why I’m pissed, Summer.”

The blood must drain from my face as I stutter, “He told you?”

“As it happens, yes, he did, and learning my sister left campus behind my back is more than I can deal with right now.”

“I’m not yours to control, Frankie.”

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