Page 29 of Killer Love

I peek inside and my eyes fall on Gio across from him. My rage spikes. If I walk in here now, I might take it out on his pathetic, little face.

“I’m going to check the grounds,” I say instead.

Yuri laughs. “This is the Zappia estate, little brother. You don’t have to play security here.”

Gio waves his hand. “It’s all right.” He chuckles, bringing his own glass to his mouth. “Muscle does what muscle does. I only wish my own bodyguards were as dedicated as he is.”

I flex my jaw. The last thing I want to hear coming out of Gio’s fucking mouth is a goddamn compliment.

“I’ll be back soon,” I say, forcing a smile.

I don’t wait for a reply. I walk on down the hallway until I can no longer hear Gio’s inane cackle echoing through the corridor behind me.

Lucian Zappia is my son.

What the hell was I thinking?

Chapter 9

Sofia

Luka Lutrova.

Nothing in the world could have prepared me for that. I didn’t even know the Lutrovas were coming to the estate today. If I had known I’d come face-to-face with Luka this afternoon… I probably would have avoided it altogether, to be honest.

But I’m happy I didn’t.

I stare at Lucian in his crib from my rocking chair beside it, unable to pull my eyes off his face. His thick forehead. The shape of his chin. Every single part of him. Now that I’ve seen Luka again, it’s more obvious than ever where he really came from.

I’ve imagined it many times before, that inevitable moment when Luka would meet his child. I pictured it differently. In my head, Luka would nod and say hello. He’d recognize him but, as planned, he’d pretend not to. He’d deny everything and go on with his life — as we both agreed.

I never once pictured that look in his eyes or that brief smile beneath his sharp lips.

Luka knew in an instant that Lucian was his and, in the very next moment, he claimed him.

It was so subtle and fleeting, it’s possible Luka didn’t notice it himself, but I did. I saw that tick in his eyes, that quick change in him that could mean everything or nothing at all.

In the end, it will mean nothing. It has to mean nothing. That was our plan. That hasn’t changed.

I take a deep breath to soothe the heat growing inside of me, but my cheeks burn red.

Lucian stirs in the crib, gently kicking his legs before settling back down again. He’ll sleep for another twenty minutes or so before standing and trying to escape over the walls of his crib. I know the feeling, my darling.

My heart thumps harder in my chest. Luka Lutrova is here. Right now, he’s sitting in Gio’s study as if nothing ever happened between us. Soon, he’ll leave and who knows how long it’ll be before he comes back. It’s been three years since I saw him last. It might be just as long before I see him again.

My nerves twitch with fire, but I urge myself to stay in my chair. To confront him here would be far too risky. Preserving this secret is more important than my own desires. It’s more important than the subtle throbbing inside of me. That warm ache I haven’t felt since that night in the shed…

I stand up and bounce on my toes, attempting to shake off the urge in me. If I don’t walk this off, I’ll go crazy. If I keep pacing around in here, I’ll surely wake Lucian up. I don’t want to deal with a frustrated toddler right now.

I open the door and silently step out into the hallway. My entire body tingles, triggering the hairs on my arms and neck to stand tall. It doesn’t matter how many steps I take, I can still feel that burning inside. I can feel him near me — even in a house so large and guarded.

My legs run on autopilot, taking me here, there, and everywhere without a map. The magnet in my shoes pulls me around another corner and I freeze in place as he comes into view.

Luka stops as I do, and we stare at each other for several silent moments. My heart knocks against my ribs. He’s still so handsome and exotic — like nothing I’ve ever seen behind these stone walls. My mouth waters. I watch as his eyes trail down to my toes and back and he forces himself to take a breath.

Instinct pushes me forward. I walk in his direction, unable to do a damn thing to stop myself. Everything screams at me, begging for me to touch him, but I know that I can’t. I veer off course and I pass him by, beelining toward the laundry room across the corridor.

Luka shifts on his feet to watch me move and I make sure he’s looking before I step inside.

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