Page 16 of Loyalties & Longings

I lift one of my shoulders in a shrug. “I’m fine, just a little tired from all that dancing.”

“I heard Massimo got into a fight. Did you see what happened?” he continues the interrogation.

“Nope, sorry. I was so busy dancing, then I turned around, and Massimo was gone. So Blaze and I went out for some fresh air. That’s when you called, and we came home. Is Massimookay?” I feign concern.

“Yeah, he’s fine, just at Doc’s getting fixed up. You know how good Doc is. Massimo should be fully patched up shortly. But so long as you are safe and unhurt, that’s all that matters to me,” he says, placing a kiss to the side of my head.

It takes Blaze an extremely long time to make his way into the house. Looking toward the door, Dad rubs my arm and tells me, “Go and get some rest,Bella.” I nod and head to the kitchen to get a drink. My mouth and throat are still so dry from all the dancing and then from getting all worked up and excited over Blaze. I shoot Blaze a coy smile, retreating to the kitchen as he hands Dad his car keys.

While getting myself a glass, I overhear Dad questioning Blaze about the night and what had happened to Massimo. Blaze is good with his words. He deflects and redirects the conversation to what matters to Dad the most, other than me, of course—his work. Pouring myself some water stops me from being able to hear them momentarily as they are talking in low voices. Downing the whole glass in one go, I pour myself another and then pour one each for Dad and Blaze.

Sitting down, I settle on the sofa with my phone and begin scrolling through social media. Ten minutes pass of me pretending not to listen or pay attention while they talk shop until something piques my interest.

“I have set up a dinner with these new potential clients, the Orlov Brothers. Massimo was meant to be going, but he sounds like he’s pretty banged up. So, I’m going to need you to step up and do it,” Dad explains.

“Of course, Enzo, whatever you need,” Blaze replies without pause. Dad holds his hand up, stopping him so he can explain further.

“They have particular expectations. You see, these men are all about appearances. They want whoever they meet with to appearsettled and, therefore, more reputable. I don’t understand their logic because they’ll probably just drop their wives back home and head straight to the strip club afterward. But it’s the way they want their meeting to run.They understand that I refuse to have anyone but Lani at my side, but they are still very keen to do business. They’ve asked to meet with my consigliere, but I don’t want to send Massimo because he’s been too unfocused lately. I’m willing to take a chance on them, so I want you to step up and do this deal for me. Do you have someone on call to perhaps accompany you?” he adds, looking at Blaze ruefully.

“I’ll go,” I quickly interject. They both snap their heads in my direction, staring at me, dismayed.

“I don’t think that that’s the best idea, Lake. You know I don’t want you to end up an easy target,” Dad says, eyebrows pulled together, voice full of concern.

“You’d prefer someone who is presentable to be at least a part of the face of the business, right?” I ask, eyebrows raised in question, knowing I’ve got him right where I want him.

“Well, yes, but,Bella, it is dangerous for you, especially if anyone unsavory recognizes you or if the brothers realize you’re my daughter…” He pauses, thinking about how dangerous it could be. What could go wrong or what could happen when I’d have Blaze at my side?

I interrupt his pause to stop his mind from spiraling. “Nobody will recognize me. You and I hardly go to any events together for that exact reason. Not unless Blaze mentions it.” I turn to Blaze, raising my eyebrows again in question.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” he says sharply, his eyes hard and dark.

“It’s sorted then. I’ll be Blaze’s girl for the sake of the meeting. I mean, we’d almost be the most superlative couple fronting for the business,” I say indifferently as though there were any other choice. But the thought of being Blaze’sanythingignites a fire inmy belly.

“Okay then.” Dad gives up, knowing just how right I am.

Blaze leans back in the armchair he is sitting in, staring me down. He’s squinting a little and chewing on his lower lip, probably trying to figure out my end game.

Then the door opens, and Massimo walks in. The guy never knocks. He eyes Blaze and me before greeting Dad. Blaze must have done a number on him. He ismessed up. His nose is swollen and looking more crooked than usual, there are butterfly stitches near his already-bruised eye, two fingers are splinted, and he has a couple of other minor cuts. I glance at Blaze while Dad has a brief chat with Massimo. My eyes widen before I swiftly grab my glass, excuse myself, and head to the kitchen to drop it off in the sink.

“I’ll be in my room if you need me,” I tell Dad. I can’t stand being around Massimo at the best of times, but tonight, I don’t want to hear, see, or smell him. Bile rises in the back of my throat when I think about Massimo’s hands on me.

I shut myself away in my room and begin to relax.

Shit.

I left my cell on the coffee table in the living room. Stuff it. I’ll grab it in the morning. There’s no way I’m going back out there while Massimo is still here. I notice it’s well after one a.m., so I decide to turn in.

After having a quick shower to rinse off the grime of the night, I pull on an oversized T-shirt and some basic black cotton panties, relishing in the comfort. Now even more exhausted, I collapse on my bed and stare at the ceiling, rehashing everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. It isn’t long before my eyes get so heavy I cannot keep them open any longer.

***

Two short knocks on my door jolt me awake. Even though thedoor only cracks open a few inches, I scramble to cover myself with the coverlet.

“Lake, are you awake?” Blaze speaks gently through the gap.

“Yeah, come in. What’s up?”

He takes half a step into my room and then stops. I follow his gaze to my legs. I managed to only cover my hips because my mind was too hazy to have covered myself fully, especially since my full body weight was on the coverlet and my limbs were still in a sleepy state. It must look as though I’m not wearinganythingon my lower half. I roll my eyes and remove the small corner of the blanket. The more he thinks I’m naked, the more embarrassing it is.

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