Page 47 of Stolen Christmas
“Oh.”
My own anger and pain deflate me and I collapse, defeated, onto the sofa. “Oh, yes, so you don’t need to remind me that I’m not loveable enough.”
He wraps me up in his arms. “Look, Angel, I’m sorry. I didn’t say that. I just think he’s a dick, and you deserve someone amazing who sees you for who you are. Besides, what’s with all the cursing?”
“He’s not a great role model,” I tease with a choking sob. We both start laughing, and I have to wipe the tears from my eyes.
“Why the fuck is she crying, boy?” he growls.
“Because you’re a dickhead, and she doesn’t want to marry you.” Luca’s face hardens, and he walks right back out of the room.
“Why would you say that?” I swat his arm.
“Because it’s the truth.” I clamp down on my lips because I’m not sure I agree. “Isn’t it?”
“I’m not sure that’s true.”
“Are you serious? You were here for a few days, and you’re all crazy over him. That’s nuts.” He slaps his hands on his head and then in the air in a frantic motion.
“No, I’m saying that. I’m not in the position to just go home. So, what are my options? I can struggle being a stripper, or marry a man who treats me good even if he doesn’t love me.” I want to tell him about the house, but not before the wedding. Ineed to speak with Luca before I do. I don’t want him to be upset any more than he is.
My brother drops his head into his hands, and then looks up at me with defeat in his brown eyes. “Damn, I’m sorry I put you in this position.”
I wrench his clenched hands apart and take them in mine. “No, it’s not your fault. None of this is your fault, and I’m not unhappy about this.”
“But are you happy?”
“It’s hard to say. I’ve missed you and I’m not quite free, but I have moments where I feel alive and content.” I can’t tell him that there are moments when I’m so damn happy that I want to burst.
“Oh.”
We talk, and he tells me that they’ve been holding him in this luxurious version of a prison cell in some sort of basement, but they blindfold him to and from the place. It isn’t far from where we are. He also received a lot of clothes and a suit for the wedding.
“That’s great,” I cheer. I’m grateful that he’s not being treated poorly, which was my biggest fear.
“Yeah, I suppose,” he sighs. He’s holding something back—that’s obvious—but what it is makes me nervous.
“You could be in jail right now.”
“I could be dead. That fiancé of yours wants me dead, and if it wasn’t for you, he would kill me.” He has no idea that Fields is no better. I want him to understand that Luca isn’t the bad guy, or at least is the lesser of two evils.
“You’re being a bit overdramatic.”
“Am I?” I know he’s probably not, but I hope that he won’t harm my brother for my sake. Noah, it seems, can be a lot to handle, but he’s just a kid.
“I suppose you’re not too far off.”
His face scrunches up, and the temper is back. “And you’re okay with that?”
“I’m not okay with that. Of course not, but what do you want me to say or do? You framed a mobster, Noah.”
“It was an accident.”
“BS. Don’t lie to me. I’m not going to believe it, and neither does Luca. I don’t trust Anthony Fields and I never did, but if they have a big rivalry and somehow you ended up at the center of it, it wasn’t by accident. He used you just like he tried to use me.”
He stands up and stares me down. “So you know that he’s married?”
“I found out after. I didn’t sleep with him, if you were worried.”
