Page 25 of Finding Love

“I think I can explain.” Luca only reaches out when my mouth falls open and covers my hand with his. His thumb slowly strokes my knuckles as he speaks. “It’s the oldest story in the book. We fell in love. I love your daughter. She’s the most important thing in the world to me.”

“But how can you still be a detective and be with him?” Mom whispers. A server approaches but makes a sharp turn before reaching the table. I can only imagine how this must look, with Dad glowering and Mom clutching her throat with one hand.

Might as well get this over with all at once. “I want you to know I’m fine,” I begin. They don’t need to know it’s a lie. “But I was injured. I’m fine now,” I repeat when Mom whimpers.

“What happened?” Mom asks in a strained whisper.

“It happened while you were away. I was shot through the arm.” The story Luca gave me rolls off my tongue. “I decided to resign. I’m not sure yet what I want to do going forward, but I’m comfortable for now.” When all they do is gape at me, I shrug. “Well? You always thought I worked too much, right? You were always worried about me.”

“Don’t act like we’re supposed to be happy about any of this.” Dad removes his glasses and wipes them on his tie, shaking his head. “One day, you’re a young detective, ready to take on the world. The next, you’re showing up for dinner on the arm of a man?—”

“A man who loves me,” I remind him. Do I sound a little sharp? Maybe. Do I care? No, especially since his mouth snapped shut. “He loves me, Dad. It was just as complicated for him to bring me into his life. Things are still complicated.”

“It wouldn’t do Emilia any favors if word got around about us.” Luca exchanges a look with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to see the calm assurance in his eyes. He’s got this. I didn’t know until now how much I needed him to back me up tonight. “So we’re keeping things very, very quiet. In time, we can go public. Not now.”

“Not so soon after my resignation,” I insist when Mom’s mouth opens. “People could get the wrong idea.”

For the second time tonight, I’m about to tell a huge lie—or what feels like one. It’s what they need to hear. It could even turn out to be true for some unimaginable reason. “I love him. I tried not to, for all the reasons going through your heads right now. It was impossible. I can’t explain it any better than that.” There’s something painfully familiar about those three words that hit me square in the chest. Being here with Luca, his unwavering commitment, and me voicing that ‘I love him,’ feels strangely right, and I feel at peace for the first time since the hospital.

“Your daughter is safe with me,” Luca assures them.

“I hope you don’t expect us to accept this that easily.” I hate the disappointed, weary frown my father wears. No matter how old I get, there will never come a time I don’t want his approval. He’s stood at the forefront of my ideals of honesty and fairness all my life, and he’s disappointed in me.

“I’m not naïve, Dad.” I offer a little smile to him, then to Mom. “But this is my choice.”

Mom sips from her water glass then releases a shallow sigh. “Well, he grew on you. He might grow on us too.” She straightens her spine and lifts her chin, and I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of her or loved her more than I do right now. Dad is about to say something when she pins him with a stare. “I’m starving. Let’s get our menus so we can order, then we’ll tell you more about the trip.”

Luca squeezes my hand before signaling for our server. His eyes are twinkling when I meet his gaze, and I can’t help but smile in relief. It’s like we passed a test together, thanks to him, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

If only everything could be settled so easily.

If only it weren’t so hard not to drown in his dark eyes.

11

LUCA

“And they’re going to be safe?” The anxiety behind Emilia’s question is touching. There’s genuine concern swimming in her eyes when they meet mine as she sits beside me in the car.

Covering her knee with one hand, I murmur, “Sure, they will. They’ll be fine.” They say patience is a virtue. Tell that to my hand where it is when what I want is to run my hand up her thigh until I’m between her legs, sinking my fingers inside her quivering pussy.

Either she’s too busy worrying to care that I’m touching her, or she doesn’t mind. “How can you be so sure?”

“Trust me. That’s all I ask.” She doesn’t look convinced as she nods, settling back against the leather seat with a weary sigh.

“You did very well back there.” I don’t know why it feels necessary to encourage her. She’s not a child, but she has been through a hell of a lot, and I couldn’t help but love her if I tried. She infuriates me and challenges everything I thought I knew about myself, but none of that will keep me from loving her.

“You were the superstar,” I scoff, but she doubles down, scooting closer to me. The effect is magic, warming my blood and making my pulse pick up speed. That’s all it takes—simply having her close to me. “You saved the night. There aren’t many people who can shut down an argument my dad is trying to make, yet you did it.”

“I wanted to make sure they knew the score. All I want is to love you.” It’s getting easier to say things like that, though not much. I can still barely manage to get the words out without flinching, cringing at my awkwardness. It’s pitiful and not something I’m practiced in.

She’s worth bearing a little embarrassment. Sitting with her at dinner, holding her hand, it was all a reminder of why I was unable to get her out of my system no matter how I tried. Knowing she was wrong for me, I was helpless to do anything about it. It is too easy to love her.

She blushes and lowers her gaze before suddenly letting out a yawn so wide that I’m surprised it doesn’t dislocate her jaw. She laughs at herself before shrugging. “I guess I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was a little nervous.”

“You’ll sleep better knowing there’s nothing to worry about.” I, on the other hand, am sick to death of staying in the main house. It’s comfortable but not nearly as comfortable as I’d be lying beside her. I know she’s safe, yet all I can do is worry and want, rubbing my dick raw out of frustration.

“You look tired too,” she observes. I didn’t realize she was studying me until she notes her gentle observation.

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