Page 108 of On Ice

“I suppose if he’s able to throw a fit, he must not be on death’s door?” I ask hopefully.

He sighs. “Hard to tell with Luca. He’s like Marco. They could have a knife stuck in their eyeball and they’d say they were fine.” His phone buzzes in his pocket and he tugs it out. “Frankly, he was more worried about you than himself. Stubborn son of a bitch wouldn’t relax until he knew you were safe.”

My chest tightens at the thought Luca cared that much about my safety. It reassures me that maybe what I’ve been feeling isn’t one sided. I turn to look out the window as he speaks softly into the phone. He seems to be having a quiet argument with someone. I tune him out because I have no interest inlistening in on his conversation. If I can’t go see Luca, I just want to go home and crash. It’s been an awful twenty-four-hours. First we lost our game, then I find out Luca was almost killed. I just want to sleep and pretend the world isn’t pure dog shit right now.

When we reach Luca’s home, it’s around 5:00 a.m. Tony drops me off and then immediately leaves again. I drag my suitcase up to the front door, and before I can use my key, the butler, Williams opens the door.

He steps aside. “Come in, sir. I apologize, I thought it might be Miss Isabella arriving home.”

“She’s not here?” I’m disappointed to hear that. I know Isabella would have given me all the dirty details I wanted.

“No, the family is at the hospital with Mr. Luca,” he says, shaking his head as he closes the heavy door behind me. “Terrible business. We’re all very grateful he’s going to be all right.”

“Yes.” I smile tiredly, hoping that’s true. Head injuries are tricky and can have lasting repercussions.

“Would you like something to eat? I could have breakfast brought to your room, if you’d like?” He peers at me with his slate gray eyes. “Perhaps some coffee?”

“I think I need sleep more than anything else.” My body is sore from the game, and my mind overwhelmed from what happened to Luca. I want to escape to my bed.

“Of course.” Williams nods. “Have a good rest, Mr. Evan.”

“Thanks.” I trudge up the stairs with my suitcase. It feels about a hundred pounds heavier than when I left.

I already showered after the game, so I strip down to my briefs and climb into bed. I lie there for a while, trying to shut off my mind, but I can’t. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about Luca. I worry the doctors might have missed something. I really wished Tony would have let me see him. Even if only briefly. I’d have felt better hearing his voice and seeing for myself he’s okay.

An idea comes to me, but I hesitate. Would Luca mind if I slept in his bed while he’s in the hospital? He probably wouldn’t care. I feel like just being in his bed might relax me. Comfort me. I give a sheepish laugh and throw back the covers, and head to the connecting door between our rooms.

When I enter his room, my heart twinges at the familiar scent of his cologne. I go straight to his bed and I climb under the covers. I push my face into his pillow and I close my eyes. Luca doesn’t need to know that I sought comfort in his room. I’m certainly not going to tell him. He’s never hinted this thing between us is anything but sex. Probably because that’s all it is for him.

Still, I feel better lying in his bed with his scent surrounding me. I close my eyes and give a contented sigh. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Luca

“I’m telling you Evan is safe. Tony took him to your house, just like you asked.” Marco grips the steering wheel, scowling at me. We’re in the parking lot of the hospital because I insisted on discharging myself. Marco isn’t happy about my decision. “This prison break is unnecessary,” he adds.

I scowl back at him. “Look, you insisted on driving, so drive.”

“I will,”he grumbles. “Just give me a second to get situated.” Marco looks as thrashed as I feel. He has cuts all over his face and a black eye, not to mention he still has the cast on his leg. He’s pushed the driver seat as far back as possible, but where he can still reach the steering wheel. The set up is awkward as fuck and probably unsafe. But he wouldn’t let me drive, so here we are. He gives me another surly glance, sticks the key in the ignition, and the engine purrs to life.

I peek up at the dark clouds in the sky, hoping they’re not a sign of some kind. “I realize you don’t understand why I’m worried, but I need to see for myself that Tony followed through. You know how he can be. He half-asses shit all the time. And Maria is still on the loose. She’s dangerous.” I ignore the pounding of my head and how weak I feel. I’m unable to fight the instinctive need to check on Evan.

“I’ve never seen you like this about a guy,” Marco mutters. “It’s weird.”

I’ve never felt this way about a guy.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say that, but I hold back. I’m not ready to share my feelings for Evan with anyone. Feelings can be so fickle. Plus, I have no idea how Evan feels about me. I don’t want to make some grand announcement, and then have Evan make it clear he only likes me for my dick.

Marco fumbles with the automatic shifter, accidentally turning on the windshield wipers. “Shit. I’m all thumbs today.”

I scowl, gesturing to his cast. “Are you sure I shouldn’t drive?”

He mutters something under his breath, and backs out of the parking space. “You have a brain injury. No, you shouldn’t drive.”

“You have a cast on your leg,” I sputter. “What makes you a better bet?”

He leans toward me. “What part ofbrain injuryisn’t sinking in?”

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