Page 74 of On Ice

“Fine,” he rasps. “But I’m not leaving early. They’ll have to wait for me until I’m ready to leave.”

“I don’t give a fuck when you get home. I only care how you get there.” I turn and head toward my Mercedes. I don’t even bother looking back at Evan as Danny opens the door for me. I climb inside the vehicle, and stare straight ahead. Danny starts the engine and we pull away from the curb. My gut churns as I remember Evan’s surprised expression. I can’t believe the words that blurted out of my mouth. I’m fucking humiliated that I said something so pathetic.

I wasn’t worried about myself. I was worried about you.

The worst part is I wasn’t lying. When I heard Evan had refused a ride with Sammy, the only thing I thought about was his safety, not mine. That makes absolutely no sense to my brain. I’d do anything for my family and Marco, but other than them, I always put myself first.

My needs.

My happiness.

My safety.

It’s well know that I don’t catch feelings for people I sleep with. Once I’ve had them, I’m instantly bored. Marco likes to rag on me about that. He thinks it’s funny. So why did I drop everything and rush over here to play the white knight for Evan? A man I’ve only spentonenight with. He didn’t even appreciate the gesture.

Ungrateful little shit.

Disgruntled, I stare out the window. There’s an aching dissatisfaction simmering inside of me. I crave Evan’s body and, more embarrassingly, his approval. He’s like a drug I’m hooked on. What is wrong with me? Maybe I need some distance from Evan. I need to figure out why I’m so obsessed with him. I don’t like it. I don’t want him or anyone having that sort of power over me.

I never should have gone to him tonight. That was foolish, pitiful behavior. I won’t ever make that mistake again. If he’s stupid enough to ditch Sammy in the future, he deserves whatever happens to him.

Chapter Nineteen

Evan

After the night at Becky’s Barbeque, Luca avoids me the next two days. If I do happen to see him at the arena, he ignores me like I don’t exist. I’m still not sure what to make of his announcement that he’d been more worried about me than himself the other night. He tried to take it back, but he’d seemed so embarrassed, it made me wonder if there wasn’tsometruth to what he’d said. I don’t kid myself that Luca has actual feelings for me. But he does like me sexually. Perhaps he’d been worried he wouldn’t get to fuck me again if I got myself killed.

On the third day, I return to Luca’s after a late day practice, feeling antsy. I don’t have enough to keep me occupied. At my apartment, I’d have my books and TV to amuse me. Sometimes Noah and I would get together and shoot some hoops. But Luca’s mansion is too far away from town to make spur of the moment get-togethers practical.

With a tired sigh I go to the window and stare down at the grounds. The land where the mansion sits is beautiful. Twilight settles over the rose garden, and beyond that, old oaks stand as darker sentinels. The manicured lawn stretches for what must be acres, silver-blue in the evening light, eventually disappearing into the deeper shadows of a distant tree line. I’d love to go outside for a walk, but I hesitate. Am I allowed to wander the grounds, or would the guards or dogs bother me?

If I leave the house, I’d probably need someone with me. Is Luca home right now? If I asked him to go for a walk with me, would he? Or would be tell me he’s too busy? I grimace at thethought I’d evenwantto go for a walk with Luca. That isn’t the kind of relationship we have. To be honest, we have no actual relationship. This is more of a hostage situation than anything.

There’s a knock on my door and my pulse speeds up. When the door opens, I expect to see Luca, but it’s Isabella. I’m surprised to feel a twinge of disappointment. Was I actuallyhopingit was Luca? Is my cabin fever so severe that I’d welcome a visit from him?

“Hello again,” Isabella says, smiling at me when she spies me by the window. She’s dressed in a blue sundress and her dark, curly hair tumbles around her slender shoulders. She approaches, her gaze curious. “Do you remember me?”

“Of course.” I smile tentatively at her. Her energy is the opposite of Luca’s. She’s warm and open, whereas he’s guarded and broody most of the time.

“I was thinking perhaps you’d join the family for dinner tonight?”

I’m shocked at the invitation. “Is that okay with Luca?” Luca has made it a point to keep me separated from his family. Has he changed his mind?

Her grin is mischievous. “Luca isn’t here. He’s in Italy.”

“Is he?” I feel strangely let down at that news. Why would I be disappointed he’s nowhere nearby? Shouldn’t I be rejoicing?

“Yep.” She shrugs. “So he has no say in whether you eat with us or not. It’s high time you met the rest of the family. Luca has been far too controlling where you’re concerned.”

“He may not want me to mingle with you guys,” I say. “He didn’t seem thrilled about the idea before.”

She sighs. “You can’t just sit in this room forever. Mama wants to meet you, and my brother Tony too. We’re dying of curiosity about you.”

My face warms. “Are you?”

“Yes. I mean, you’re a professional hockey player. We’ve never met one before.” She moves closer. “If you’re worried about letting things slip, we already know the situation. You don’t have to worry about spilling the beans. Luca told us what’s going on.”

I’m not sure I believe her. She may think she has the real story, but does she? Would Luca actually admit that he blackmailed me into being his lover? Or are they as immoral as he is and see nothing wrong with that? They are all part of the Barone syndicate after all.

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