Page 15 of Broken Innocence
Because he’s not really a maintenance man! Who knows how long he’s been watching you?
The teacup trembles in my hand as I consider my options. I really don’t want to be a captive again, even if these are much nicer digs than the creeper van where I was held, but I’m hardly fit to escape.
My limbs ache, there’s a piercing pain in my temples, and judging by the sunlit window to my right, we’re not on the first floor, which means I’d potentially need to navigate a labyrinth of halls for an exit. Frankly, it sounds exhausting just thinking about it.
When I wished to be seen—to not be a faded wallflower in the background—this wasn’t what I had in mind: caught between two dubious men in the middle of a power struggle. I dreamed of princes and knights, not freaking villains.
“You shouldn’t be walking alone at night, Butterfly. It’s not safe.”
“Are you blaming me for what happened? Especially when it sounds like it’s your fault?” I shoot back, a spark of annoyance coming to life.
Luca runs his tongue over the front of his teeth and huffs. “I’m not blaming you. I’m pissed that you’re hurt.”
Oh.
His gruff answer shouldnotmake me feel…fluttery. Warm.
Slumping into the pillows at my back, I ask, “Why did Fabian do this when we’re supposed to be married soon?” then take another sip of tea, praying for more calm.
“Because you’re not marrying Fabian. You’re marrying me.I’mgoing to be your husband. Not him.”
CHAPTER TEN
LUCA
My timing could have been better.
Eden had just taken another drink of her tea when I dropped the news of our impending nuptials, causing her to spit it out and cough to clear her throat.
“What… did you… say?” she gasps, holding a hand to her mouth as her shoulders shake with the force of her coughing fit.
Placing a hand on her back, I rub circles over the smooth expanse in an attempt to soothe her nerves. “You will be my wife in seventeen days.” That’s the official date for the Marino-D’Amora wedding, even if it’s a different D’Amora standing in as the groom.
“No, that’s not right. The don—your father—told my dad that Fabian wanted to marry me. Not you.”
“Fabian thought he could play games, but he lost. A match with me is far more profitable for our father, since it leaves Fabian open to a future arrangement that might provide a stronger alliance.”
“I don’t understand.” Beanie nestled in Eden’s lap, and immediately, she scooped the feline up to her chest, burying her face in the orange fur.
I knew it was the right decision to bring the cat to the manor. Once Dr. Bellamy assured me that Eden would be fine, I left mybrothers to look after her while I fetched her cat. Beanie may be self-sufficient enough to survive a few days at home by herself, but I don’t plan on letting Eden leave Blackchapel now that she’s here.
The only reason I stayed away for so long was to keep her safe.
A flimsy excuse that was shot to hell since she was hurt while I was pissing the time away at Delaney’s.
That’s not going to happen again.
Eden will remain safe and secure in the manor, where our security is top-notch, and I can personally keep an eye on her at all times.
Which necessitated a move for Beanie.
Packages of food, toys, and cat beds already littered my closet, hidden away from my brothers’ prying eyes, in preparation for the day I could bring Eden to Blackchapel, so it was easy enough to transport the cat.
Plus, Allie already designated a room to her cat, Pretty Kitty. One full of scratch towers, elaborate shelving on the walls to sleep on, and dozens of toys. Beanie is still wary of Pretty Kitty, but she definitely enjoys the room.
Our timeline may have escalated, but I’ve been ready to have Eden by my side twenty-four-seven since the first moment I caught her reading at Enzo’s birthday party. She’d been so beautiful sitting alone at a table hunched over her phone. I’d ambled behind her a couple of times to see what had captured her attention so thoroughly and found her deep in the middle of a book.
Beautiful and lonely.
