Page 45 of On Ice

He grins, seemingly unfazed by my rancor. “Oh, come on. We both know that’s not true. But if it makes you feel better to pretend, that’s fine. I’ll allow it, for now.” He disappears through the door, closing it quietly behind him.

I stare at the door for a few moments, seething, before pouncing on the sandwich. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I devour it in four bites. The soft bread and tangy prosciutto are so delicious, I wish he’d brought two more. I wash the pills down with what’s left of my water. If he lied to me about the pills, who cares? Why would I want to be awake for any of this?

Pulling back the covers, I crawl into bed. The mattress is soft, and the bedding smells floral like the towels. The second my head hits the pillow, I’m on the verge of sleep. My thoughts drift unwillingly to Luca. He puzzles me. I can’t understand why he’shad a change of heart about killing me. I worry, though, that he won’t be able to protect me. I know he’s powerful, but is hethatpowerful?

That’s the last thing that goes through my mind before sleep claims me. Hours later, I wake with a start as a finger of sunlight peeks through a crack in the thick curtains. It takes me a moment to remember where I am and why. Then it all comes rushing back in a torrent that has me throwing back the covers. I slide out of the big bed and stand there lost. What am I supposed to do now? Stay in my room until Luca lets me out?

I’m hungry and I’d love some more water. I also wouldn’t mind more pain medication because my entire body feels like one big bruise. I move stiffly to the bathroom to empty my bladder, and once more finger brush my teeth. If Luca is keeping me here for an extended time he needs to get me a toothbrush and a razor. I shudder at the thought he will keep me here for a long time.

I have no idea if Coach or the team know anything about what happened to me last night. Do they know I was in a car wreck? Do they just think I ghosted them after the game? They know me well enough to know I wouldn’t do that.

You did it before.

I wince because that’s the truth. That first night I met Luca, I dodged drinking with the team to spend the night with Luca. But this is different. I barely said two words to anyone in the room before I stripped off my uniform and ran to meet up with Luca. I was desperate to keep Noah safe.IsNoah safe? Did Luca go after him too, or was he satisfied with just punishing me?

My gut churns as I think about the mess I’m in. I don’t fully trust that Luca wants me alive, but he did bring me here to hishome. He could have thrown me in the basement, or locked me in a garden shed, but he put me in this beautiful, cozy room for the night. I’m once more puzzled by him.

I go to the dresser and I find a pair of jeans and another T-shirt. The jeans fit me almost perfectly, which is a bit unsettling. I know they’re not Luca’s because he’s taller than me by a few inches. Did Luca keep some other guy here before me? Does he have a type that he kidnaps? Is that why he’s into me because I remind him of someone? Or is this like something he does all the time? And if it is, what happened to the original owner of these jeans?

As a rule, I don’t bring people home, Evan.

I have no way of knowing whether that’s the truth or a lie. And ‘as a rule’ doesn’t mean never. I could very well be one of many guys he brings here. For all I know he lives alone and this is his sex lair or something. Who says this is his family estate? He’s a mafia boss, he probably has ten homes.

I jump when the connecting door to his room opens. He walks in without knocking, which immediately puts me on edge. He’s wearing a black suit and a red tie, and with his dark hair and eyes, I can’t deny he looks like the sexiest demon you could imagine. I resent how my pulse speeds up at the sight of him.

“Good, you’re awake.” He sounds completely at ease, as if keeping people against their will is just par for the course. That reaffirms my serial kidnaper theory. No one should be as nonchalant as he is about having me here.

“You should have knocked,” I snap.

He frowns. “Why?”

I huff. “For all you knew I just got out of the shower.”

He smirks. “Even less of a reason to knock.”

My face warms. “Really? You think that’s funny?”

He shrugs. “It was just a joke.”

“Yeah, really hilarious,” I mutter.

He studies me. “From now on I’ll knock. Okay?”

Ignoring his concession, I tug at my shirt and demand, “Whose clothes are these? Are these from one of your other victims?”

Appearing confused by the question, he repeats, “My other victims?”

“Yeah, you’re a little too calm about the situation. You seem like you’ve done this before. I don’t love the idea of wearing some dead guy’s clothes.”

He makes a dismissive sound. “You have quite the imagination. They’re my younger brother Tony’s clothes. He was a lot thinner before he bulked up with weights.” He shakes his head. “I told you I don’t bring people here.”

“Sure, but you’re a liar, remember?”

His lips thin. “You woke up in a pissy mood.”

“I’m sorry. Did you expect me to wake up in a good mood after being kidnapped?” I shove my hands into my pockets, scowling at him.

He moves closer, his eyes dark and menacing. “I expect you to be happy you’re alive. You got to wake up this morning. That’s because of me, remember?”

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