Page 124 of Knights Game

I snort. “Is the Covenant still stuck in the 1950s or something?”

He pauses, taking a sip of his wine then places it back on the side of the tub. “The Covenant is stuck in the 1900s, that’s part of the problem.”

“Would it be them?” I ask leaning back down on him.

“No.” The word’s a rumble from his chest. “Too many moving parts, they haven’t got it in them, not anymore.”

“So, Isabella hates the Covenant, but why would Levi be working with her?”

“Love.”

“Levi? In love?”

“I know. But seeing them together, there’s no doubt about it. Whatever they’re doing, they’re in it together, and something other than power and money is fuelling my cousin. That something is her. I’d been wondering for a while, and it’s clear now, Duchess is moving to take her place at the table. They are moving against the Covenant.”

“And you’re also moving against them, the Covenant I mean?”

“Not moving against them,” he replies. “I’m moving away from them and paving my own way.”

I run my fingers up and down his forearms, which are resting on the edge of the bath, tugging at the dark hairs on his arms.

“Thank you for coming to the care home.”

“Thank you for coming to the warehouse,” he says after a beat, “You don’t let people in easily, do you?”

“No. What was it you said, stubborn and independent? I’ve been on my own for so long now, I think it’s a defence mechanism.”

“Don’t let anyone close and you don’t risk your heart.”

“I don’t collect fingers though.”

“I’ve got a lovely collection. I should show you one day.” He pulls me back towards him.

“How do you feel?” I ask tilting my neck to the side and allow him to kiss my pulse. His fingers reach round and walk over my stomach dipping lower in between my folds. “Hmm.”

“I love feeling my come pool between your legs. Even in the water I can feel it.” He swirls his fingers round and pushes them deep inside.

“Fuck, Luca. Stop with the misdirection.” I hold his hand to me.

“Spoilsport.” He nips my ear lobe. “I’m wrecked. I’m used to functioning on little sleep, but the last few days have been extreme even for me.”

We sit in comfortable silence, my fingers still sprawling across his arm, tracing a faint scar.

“What is it about me that made you so drawn to me for all those weeks?” I ask.

“I can’t explain it. There was just something. In a way, I think it’s because you remind me of my mum, hell you even remind me of myself. Holding everyone at arm’s length. In my world, you learn not to trust quickly.”

“Because everyone has an angle.”

“Everyone has an angle. You're taught early not to trust, and when I do, I don’t do it easily. But you’ve got behind my walls.”

“How?”

He’s quiet for a minute. “I think it’s your blinding personality,” he jokes as he grabs my hips and squeezes again,causing me to thrash in the water. “You don’t realise what you do when you walk in a room, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You light it up, sunshine. You think you’re failing but you’re far from it. You were the first person to run into the road the night of the car crash. Even with your past, you pushed that aside to help us. To help me. You came today even though you had no idea what you were walking into, you just knew you were needed, thatIneeded you, even though you were pissed at me. Everyone loves you, even though they don’tknowyou really.”

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