Page 4 of Silent Night With Luca

“I’m not helpless, Luca. I’m a grown ass woman. Marco is just mad, he will cool down. This is all being blown out of proportion.”

I scoff, running a hand through my hair. “Marco Vitale isn’t one to overreact and then retreat. He is coming at us at full throttle. And he won’t stop unless he is stopped. Trust me. You’re going to get us all killed if you don’t let me do my job.”

Her eyes snap back to mine, and I see that fire again, but it’s dimming. She knows I’m right. I can see the wheels turning behind that pretty face, trying to figure out how to keep her pride while admitting defeat.

I step closer, closing the distance between us until she has to tilt her head up to look at me. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just about you. It’s about all of us. Every time you pull a stunt like that, you put the entire family in danger. You think I enjoy dragging you back here? You think this is fun for me?”

Her gaze falters, just for a second. “Yes, it does seem like you enjoy bossing me around, acting like some kind of Rambo let loose in winter wonderland.”

“I enjoy keeping you alive. That’s my job.”

The silence that follows is thick, the air between us charged with more than just the tension of the argument. I can see the anger flickering in her eyes, but beneath it, there’s something else. Something that makes my blood run hotter than it should.

She steps back, shaking her head like she’s trying to shake off the weight of what I’m saying. “So what, Luca? I’msupposed to just sit here and let you play my babysitter? While the rest of the family gets to handle everything?”

I let out a slow breath, trying to keep the frustration in check. “You have no idea what’s happening out there. This isn’t forever, but we have to let the dust settle before you fly off the handle again.”

“I can handle myself,” she repeats, but the conviction is weaker now.

“I have no doubt you can. But right now, you have to stay between the lines. That can happen easily, you’re in control. Or, it can happen by force. Either way, it’s happening and I’m not going anywhere. Got it?”

Her breath catches, and I feel the shift in the air between us. The tension isn’t just anger now. It’s something darker, something the adrenaline of this game of cat and mouse she put into motion has me firing on all cylinders.

She’s trapped between the fire and me, her eyes flicking up to meet mine, wide and unsure for the first time tonight. And in that moment, I realize how dangerous this is—not just for her, but for me, too.

“Luca…” she starts, but her voice trails off. “I came here to get out of the city, with my friend, to enjoy the holiday. I’m so sick of my every move being scrutinized. Why can’t you all just let me be?”

“You don’t have to like me,” I say finally, my voice calmer now. “But you need to listen. Because if you don’t, the next time you run, there might not be anyone there to pull you back. Arianna is trouble, not someone you should be spending your time with. Enjoy your family here, relax, goroast marshmallows, or something. Stay away from the clubs and stay away from Arianna Palmira.”

She swallows, her gaze flicking to the window. The snow outside is falling heavier now, thick and relentless, just like the danger closing in on us.

For a moment, neither of us says anything. We’re both breathing hard, the storm outside echoing the storm between us.

“Fine,” she says quietly, after what feels like an eternity. “You can stay and I’ll try to behave. Arianna is here, whether you like it or not. Her family’s place is in the same town. And she is enjoying her holiday just like I would like to enjoy mine. If I promise to stay away from the club, will you at least try to loosen the tightness in your ass a little?”

Spoken like a true entitled bitch who knows she isn’t in charge but is trying to squeeze out some freedom. I’ll let her think she has me fooled, but I’m not letting up on her one bit.

“Sure.”

TWO

Fiamma

I wake up to the sound of silence. Perfection. Until I realize I’m not alone.

For a moment, I lie there, staring at the ceiling, wondering if Luca is still asleep—or better yet, gone. The early morning light filters through the heavy drapes, casting a soft glow over the room, and I stretch lazily under the plush, oversized duvet.

My suite. My space.

Or at least, it used to be.

Now I’ve got a six-foot-four hairy brute for a babysitter sleeping in the other room, cramping my style. I can’t even walk to the kitchen in a tank top and panties to grab a drink in the middle of the night without worrying about running into him.

No, now I have to pull on actual clothes. I toss the duvet off and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, the coldhardwood floor a sharp contrast to the warmth of the sheets.

I pick up the phone to text Arianna.

Hey, ho. Are you up? Did you end up still going to the club? FML. Luca Rossi is on my ass. He’s staying in my suite, so my holiday just got a lot less fun. Will you drop off my clutch at the lodge? I didn’t get a chance to grab it before Luca kidnapped me.

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