Page 51 of Broken Prince

I nodded. I would not deny it; my face reflected my lack of sleep. “He is really getting better. I promise if he keeps like that, I’ll step out tomorrow.”

“You saved his life,” Dom insisted. “Without you—” He shook his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed through his emotions.

Once again I could see that their relationship was much more than boss and bodyguard. Luca was his family. I saw the love in his eyes; it was a little like I looked at Jude.

“I’m sure that in the end you would have gone against his orders.” I rearranged the covers on Luca. “But yeah, you’re right. He is too stubborn for his own good.”

Dom rolled his eyes. “Pot meet kettle.”

I looked up at him, crossing my eyes and sticking my tongue to the side.

“Hot.”

I chuckled. “I know.”

He sighed. “Listen. I must go to town for a while. We need more of the antibiotics and I’ve forgotten to order the food this week. Do you need anything?”

I shrugged. “Well, if you pass by the candy store…” I trailed off. I was so lucky I had a good metabolism because with all the sweets I ate, I should be five times my size.

“That’s a given.” He looked toward Luca once more. “Okay, I'll be back soon.”

I went to the bathroom and wet a cloth. “You know you’re lucky to have people who love you and care for you so deeply,” I whispered as I gently ran the cloth on his face.

I went downstairs, made myself a sandwich, and brought up some food for him too, then settled on the seat by his bed.

I called Amy’s phone.

“Hi.” I smiled seeing my brother’s face on the screen. “I’m sorry for missing our weekly meeting, munchkin. I really am.”

He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “It’s okay, Cassie. I have lots of school work. I didn't finish the books you brought last week. How is Luca? Amy said he was sick.”

I nodded. “Yes, but he is getting better now. He scared me.” I was not sure why I admitted that to my kid brother but somehow I had to tell someone.

I had been so scared that night. I had been glad that my training had taken over, but I’d been so scared of him dying and the reason behind it was just as terrifying. I cared deeply for Gianluca Montanari, broken Mafia boss in exile… I didn’t predict anything good and certainly not a happy ending for me.

“You’re the best, Cassie. You always fixed me up.” His grin widened.

I cocked my head to the side as a wave of tenderness submerged me. I’d been Jude’s mother in so many ways, cleaning his wounds when he fell or taking care of him when he got a cold.

“You’re right. I’m a superhero.”

“Superheroine! You’re my Wonder Woman.”

I laughed. “Wow, Wonder Woman? That’s one hell of a compliment.” I pointed at my red hair. “I thought I'd be more of a Black Widow or a Mystique”

“No, they both have a dark side but you don’t. You’re all good like Diana.”

“I love you, little brother.”

We kept on talking for a few minutes, about his schoolwork and the books that Luca had given him. Jude was now addicted to Arsene Lupin, the gentleman thief…a thief with morals and a code.

Yes, leave it to Luca to share that with my brother.

I promised my brother to take him for the biggest ice cream in history next week to make up for it, but he didn’t seem that upset either way. He had his books; he was happy.

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” I heard a voice say as soon as I closed my laptop.

I jumped off my chair, almost crashing it on the floor “Jesus!”

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