Page 28 of Saint
“A friend who makes you blush like that?” Aunt Olive raises an eyebrow. “I should hope it’s the mysterious older man.”
“Olive, stop teasing her,” my mother says, though her eyes sparkle with the same curiosity. “Lily will tell us when she’s ready.”
The waiter appears to clear our plates, and I’m relieved by the momentary distraction. When he’s gone, my mother reaches across the table to take my hand.
“I’ve booked us massages for this afternoon,” she announces. “At that spa you loved so much. You didn’t get to have one last time we were there.”
My heart sinks. All I want is to go back to the house and slip into a deep sleep to forget the thoughts swirling around in my mind. But the hopeful look in my mother’s eyes makes it impossible to refuse.
“That sounds nice,” I say, summoning a smile I don’t feel.
My phone buzzes again in my purse, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to check it immediately. Is it Luca? Is he angry? Disappointed? The thought of either makes my chest ache in a way I don’t want to examine too closely.
As we leave the restaurant, I steal a moment to glance at my phone while my mother pays the bill.
Luca: I don’t understand, baby girl. I know you feel the same way I do. You can’t run from this, no matter how much you try.
A shiver runs through me that has nothing to do with the autumn chill. Because I believe him. Luca Ravello is a man who gets what he wants, and for reasons I still can’t fully comprehend, he wants me.
The question is: am I brave enough to want him back?
“Ready, darling?” My mother appears at my side, linking her arm through mine. “The spa awaits.”
I nod, pasting on another smile as we walk to her car. The weight of Luca’s message sits heavy in my mind, a promise and a threat all at once.
I’m not going anywhere.
Part of me wishes he would. It would be so much easier if he gave up, moved on to someone less complicated, someone whose father isn’t poised to become his political enemy.
But the other part—the part that wakes breathless from dreams of his hands, his mouth, his voice—that part is selfishly, desperately glad he’s waiting.
Because deep down, I know it’s only a matter of time before I stop running.
Chapter 19
Luca
My phone vibratesin my pocket, and I answer without looking. “Ravello.”
"Boss, it’s Frank. We’ve been tracking the Moore girl like you asked.” His voice is low, professional. “She just left lunch with her mother. They’re headed to Serene Waters Spa in Albany.”
I sit up straighter in my leather chair, pushing aside the contract I was reviewing. "You’re sure?"
“Positive. Heard them talking about massages. They have a two o’clock appointment.”
I check my watch. It’s 1:00. “Keep eyes on them. I’m on my way.”
I end the call and grab my jacket, my mind already racing ahead. This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Lily thinks she can run from this connection between us, but she’s about to learn how persistent I can be.
Within minutes, I’m in my Bentley, speeding toward Albany from Woodstock. The highway blurs past as I push well beyond the speed limit, calling in a favor from a cop I own to ensure no one tries to pull me over.
Serene Waters is upscale, discreet—and the owner owes me too many favors to count. I park in the reserved section withoutregard for whether I’m authorized and walk through the front doors at precisely 1:55.
The receptionist—young, blonde, instantly intimidated—looks up with a practiced smile. “Welcome to Serene Waters. Do you have an appointment?"
“I need to speak with the owner. Now.” My tone leaves no room for argument.
“I’m afraid Ms. Winters is with a client?—"
