Page 38 of Lucky Boys
He smiled up at me. “Yeah. Thank you.” I kissed the side of his face.
“You don’t have to thank me for that, Brooks. How’s your ass?”
He grinned, totally thrilled. “Sore. Feels fucking good.”
“Good. We’ll put cream on it when we get back to the house.”
“Okay.” He didn’t seem bothered one way or the other. After a few more minutes of cuddling, I loaded him into the car and we headed back to the estate where I could take care of him properly.
CHAPTER 16
LUCA
I sat backin my chair, my finger hovering over the button to shut off the security feed, but I couldn’t bring myself to hit it, even if this was probably the most toxic behavior.
Maverick had given us a heads-up about what had happened at Brooks and Diego’s place. He’d also sent some guys there to clean it up and see what they could salvage. Skye met them in the front hallway and immediately embraced Brooks, who gave him a shaky smile. He looked a little dazed, and since Mav had said they were going to do an impromptu scene, I understood why.
I should’ve been out there with Skye, checking on my guys and getting an update, but I didn’t leave my office. I had been avoiding Brooks and, well, everyone, for days now. The conversation with Wes was running in my head on repeat. I knew I had choices to make and couldn’t hide out forever, but I’d be damned if I could figure out what to do. Who had Wes been kidding? I really was fucking pathetic.
I should talk to Brooks, but I wasn’t sure if he’d appreciate me being there. I needed to prove myself, and that would be best to do when he was in a better headspace and could make rational decisions.
That was what I told myself, and why I’d been holed up in my office, watching everything from security cameras. Skye and Maverick brought Brooks to Diego, and the brothers talked, cried, raged, and eventually hugged. They then made the decision to tell their parents what was going on. I thought it was a good call. At the very least, Dave and Emma would know to stay away for now for their safety.
I almost turned off the feed during their conversation. It wasn’t my business, but I apparently had no shame anymore and listened in, then continued to watch as Diego worked for hours until Brooks forced him to take his meds. Brooks sat with him until he passed out and then wandered until he found Skye and Maverick in the entertainment room.
After Brooks cuddled my two men, snug in multiple blankets and their broad, strong arms, they turned on a movie until Brooks finally fell asleep between them. I never left my chair.
I wasn’t feeling jealousy, exactly. It was more longing. I wanted to be there. I yearned to be the one that Brooks took comfort in, but I didn’t know how to take that step. I didn’t know how to right my wrongs. I wasn’t sure it was even possible. Maybe I should just leave it to Skye and Maverick? It wouldn’t affect our relationship; we were stronger than that. They could give Brooks everything he needed without breaking his heart. I’d probably only ruin things.
Fuck.
I mashed the button, shutting off the feed, and all but jumped out of my chair. What the hell was I doing? This wasn’t healthy. At the very least, I had a job to do, and I’d been shit at doing it. Things were only getting worse, and here I was, wallowing away, participating in the most toxic bullshit.
I had to get out of this office. Take a shower. Get something to eat. Then go talk to my men. That had to have been hard on Maverick too, and I wanted to make sure he was okay. I wassure Skye had taken care of him, but still. He was my man too, and that was what we did. Then, tomorrow morning, I’d talk to Brooks. I couldn’t let it go any longer. I had no idea where we would go from here, but I was done taking the coward’s way out. We needed to find a way forward, and it was up to me to take that first step.
I was just about to leave my office and implement my plan, when my phone rang.
It was my work cell, not my personal one, and I didn’t recognize the number on it.
“Luca Castellano,” I answered, immediately in professional mode.
At first, there was nothing, just some rustling, and then a voice finally came on the line. “Mr. Castellano?”
He sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place why.
“This is him. Who’s speaking?”
“Mr. Castellano, my name is Jackson Santiago. I’m the executive assistant to Lewis Covington.”
My body froze while my mind started to go in a million different directions. Why would Lewis’s assistant be calling me?
I immediately walked to my desk and grabbed my personal phone, sending a text to Maverick and Skye. They were asleep in the entertainment room, but they would hear it. They always did.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Santiago?” I pulled up my computer and put the name in. Sure enough, he showed up on the employee page as the contact to reach Lewis Covington.
“I’m calling on behalf of my employer. I apologize for the later hour, but as I’m sure you’re aware, we are extremely busy.”
I was glad I wasn’t on video chat because I couldn’t stop the eye roll. “I understand. Though, I’m not sure as to what business I could have with Mr. Covington. I’m not in pharmaceuticals.”
