Page 61 of Stolen Kisses
When I turned back to face Luc, he was already looking at me.
“The door was open, so I checked the place out,” he said.
“I left it open by accident.” I guess I did run out and leave it open.
He pushed the door and it swung through. He waved his hand signaling for me to go inside.
I did and he followed.
As we stepped inside I was instantly embarrassed by the place.
I’d spent hours cleaning earlier and there were the mice again running around with fresh shit in the corner.
The sofa bed looked like it came from the dumps and the curtain that had been up at the window had fallen down.
At least the place smelled of the disinfectant. Maybe a little too strongly.
I sat on the sofa bed and he sat on the little wooden chair opposite me.
“Claudius called me and told me what happened. I thought I’d come see you.” he began.
“How did you find out where I lived?” I knew these guys could do anything. It was just strange, because I hadn’t even been here properly yet.
He raised his brows and smiled. “Really? You know we have our ways.”
“Thanks for coming. It’s nice you came for me, and not because you thought Flynn was yours.”
He chuckled. “I changed a lot Maria. I changed a lot from the person you knew me to be.”
“So, I’ve heard. It’s strange to imagine you any other way than who you were. But I guess when you meet the right person, you’ll do what it takes to make them happy.”
I’d heard all about Amelia from years back when everything changed. I didn’t know much at the time because it was all under wraps with Raphael secrets in having a daughter. I had just heard Luc had a new toy, one he was completely into and that was how I found out we’d broken up.
“I’m sorry. I know it means nothing now, because a lot of years have passed by and everything is different, but it doesn’t stop me from telling you I’m sorry for being the asshole I was to you. You didn’t deserve that, I was just a guy who didn’t take anything serious and I didn’t treat you right.”
I lifted my shoulders into a shrug. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank you. So … with that done, you think you could tell me what’s going on with you? I know you and you wouldn’t just pop up anywhere without some kind of plan. This place Maria, the only good thing about it is that Vira’s not here, but you can’t stay here either.”
It was time to talk, but not to him. “I have to talk to Dante. I have to tell him first before anyone else.”
He held my gaze and nodded understanding. “You in trouble Maria?”
I looked at him and thought I could at least answer that question. That question that had been asked so many times. Today was one full week since I’d been here. One full week and so much had happened.
One full week since Franco was actually released from prison.
“Yes,” I whispered.
He sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
“We’ll protect you.”
I shook my head. “No, you mustn’t. You have a family. You have a family now.”
“I do. I know I do. There was a time when I told you I’d always be there for you. I meant it.” He nodded with conviction. “That’s why I’m here now and I’m going to stay with you until Dante gets back.”
A tear ran down my cheek and I wiped it away.
