Page 54 of The Prices We Pay
“We need to know what he wants.” He drops his forehead on hers. “To make sure you’re safe.”
“I know.” Joe holds Luca’s face in her hands. “But I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t want to be near him. I don’t even want to see him.”
“You won’t have to. We will handle it.”
“Promise me you won’t do anything you’ll regret.”
“Vita Mia… I’ll promise you anything you want, but there’s one thing you should know.”
“What’s that?”
“There are very few things in life that I could do that I would regret. And killing someone who has hurt you would certainly not be one of them.”
25
Josephine
Ihave no idea what time I wake up on the couch, my head resting on Luca’s lap like Dante was on mine mere hours ago. I can feel Luca working his fingers through my hair, and when I peek my eyes open, I see Sebastian running his hand up and down my legs, which are resting across his. Luca’s arm is outstretched along the back of the couch, and his fingers trace small circles on Sebastian’s neck.
I haven’t outright asked them, but it’s clear to anyone with eyes that there’s more going on between the two of them than meets the eye. And if my suspicions are correct, I would love to get a front-row seat to that hot-as-fuck show.
Without moving from my ridiculously comfortable position, I do a quick scan of what I can see in the rest of the room and realize Dante and Enzo aren’t here. Between everything that happened this morning and rehashing everything about my dad, I felt completely mentally and physically exhausted. After the guys ordered us some sandwiches and soup for lunch, I snuggled up on their couch and queued up the next Harry Potter movie. I was in no mood to haul myself across town and back to my apartment, and they didn’t seem like they were in a rush to kick me out. The last thing I remember is Luca and Sebastian coming to sit next to me and Ron and Harry pouting at the Yule Ball. Considering it was light outside when that happened andThe Deathly Hallowsis now playing, I think it’s safe to say I have been asleep for a significant amount of time.
“Hey there, Sunshine.” Leave it to Luca to know I’m awake even though I haven’t moved an inch, and I’m ninety-five percent positive he can’t see my eyes.
Rolling over on my back so I can look up at him while ensuring my legs stay firmly tucked against Seb’s lap, I smile up at him. “Hey there. What time is it?”
Something about the fact that Luca checks the time on his watch instead of his phone sitting on the couch next to him warms my insides. “Almost eleven. None of us had the heart to wake you. You were obviously exhausted.”
“Yeah.” I try and fail to stifle a yawn. “Rehashing a childhood’s worth of trauma will do that to a person.”
Seb pinches my calf in response to my dark humor. “Ow!”
“Not funny, Love. Not funny.”
“Ever heard of a coping mechanism, smarty pants.” His eyes narrow, but I see those dimples fighting their way through. “Where are Dante and Enzo?”
Luca’s fingers trace the skin on my stomach where my T-shirt rode up. I asked if I could borrow some of their clothes before we ate lunch, not wanting to get cheddar and broccoli soup on my Dolce &Gabbana blouse. I wasn’t entirely sure whose clothes I was wearing, but judging by the way Sebastian’s eyes darkened when I strolled out in a simple pair of black sweatpants and white T, not to mention the rich sandalwood scent, I think it’s safe to assume they’re his.
“They went to go get ice cream.”
“Ice cream?” I chuckle.
“Enz had a craving, and we didn’t have any. Dante didn’t want him going out alone with all of this stuff with the Brava going on.”
“If I didn’t have to go home, I’d tell him to bring me some.”
“So stay,” Sebastian says without hesitation. “It’s late, and we have an extra room. We’ll drive you back to your apartment first thing in the morning. I’m sure if you’d ask your boss, he’d be fine with you coming in a little late.”
I coyly smile up at Luca, who shoots me a wink. “I’m sure it could be arranged.”
I don’t have to think twice. “Okay. I’ll stay.”
Sebastian unlocks his phone with one hand, the other still running up and down my calf. “What flavor?”
“Oooo. Chocolate fudge brownie, please.”
“Done.”
