Page 50 of Ruthless Passion

"What are you looking for?" Jo asks, mimicking my glance up and down the corridor.

"I wanted to see how far we were from room 419."

"What's in room 419?"

"Duke."

She folds her arms over her chest. "I don't think it's a good idea to see him. He has this way about him. Luca, you might kill him."

I look at her. "Would you like me to?"

"Are you serious?"

"I would if he ever put you or Jett in danger. Right now, he's intimidating you. After putting his hands on you, Jett, and Monique, I like to think him landing here is karma. I'd love to make sure he never leaves this place. Just say the word and he's gone forever, Jo."

"Starlight."

21

JOSEPHINE

It's not the word Luca wants me to say, but I'm not ready to make that kind of choice. Yet, there's no frustration in his eyes, and the energy between us doesn't feel any different.

"Are you mad I don't want you to do that?" I ask him.

"Of course not," he says, pulling me closer to him to wrap an arm around me. Luca kisses me gently on the forehead. "That's not a decision a rational person can make at the drop of a dime."

"Thank you for the offer." I rest my head on his shoulder. "I think I just want Duke to stay away from us. A restraining order should do the job."

"Are you sure about that?" There's concern in his tone, and rightfully so. Duke isn't likely to listen to anyone when it's not what he wants to hear.

"No, but how about instead of disappearing him, you talk to him and encourage him to leave us alone. If I tell him I got a restraining order, maybe he'll take me seriously when I tell him to leave us alone. He might listen. I just want to try every option before the permanent one."

He nods. "I'll do whatever you need me to do to keep you safe and make sure you're okay with how I keep you and Jett safe. Wait here. I'll go see him?—"

"No." I stop him with a firm hand on his bicep. "I know Duke, and he'll provoke you. You'll end up hurting him or worse. It's like I told you before. He's a temper tantrum away from becoming a murder victim. I'm coming with you."

"I like it better when you come before me," he quips with a devious smirk. I can't help but giggle, stroking the side of his face as he takes a deep breath. Luca takes my hand, kisses it, and gives a look to Collin who's still chatting up his nurse. "He's going to be here a while."

"Good. He needs some distance from Shannon anyway."

"Shannon?" Luca questions as we head toward the elevator.

"Yeah, his girl slash friend he spends a lot of time with outside of his teammates. I want him to avoid making irresponsible choices."

"Like having sex in a utility closet?" He glances at me from the corner of his eye.

"No." I shove him playfully. "Like having unprotected sex in a utility closet. I'm on birth control, Luca, but we are moving at lightning speed."

"We can slow down, Jo. We can even stop?—"

"No!" I blurt out. "God no, I don't want to stop, but shouldn't we talk about the possibilities and consequences of our choices?"

"I thought we were talking about Collin."

"We are." I sigh.

Luca stops and turns to face me. "No. We're talking about us now and I need you to understand I meant every word that I said, Jo. I want to keep you safe. I want to take care of you. However, that needs to happen. I've got a clean bill of health, but we're in the hospital. We can get tested together."

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