Page 61 of Broken Prince

He shook his head. “Absolutely not, Luca is going to take you.”

I couldn’t help the thrill that filled me before deflating as reality came crashing because one, it would not be fair to force hermit Luca to do something that trivial, and two, it would be quite heartless to use Dom as a replaceable piece.

“No, it’s okay—”

“It seems only fair; he’s the one who organized everything,” he added, interrupting me.

I arched my eyebrows in surprise. “Luca did?” It was not something I had expected.

He nodded. “Yep, he thought you needed a little distraction from everything happening in your life, from all your responsibilities. He picked the dress…everything.”

“Luca? Gianluca Montanari did that?”

Dom chuckled but it sounded tired. I had almost forgotten how this bad allergic reaction could have affected him. “Surprising, isn’t it? He must really like you.”

I flushed with pleasure. “I, no, he’s just being nice.”

Dom looked at me with a knowing smile on his face. “Sure, yeah…that must be it. Mafia bosses are generally known for their nice and caring nature.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not sure leaving you is smart.”

“No offense, Cassie, but I’m a thirty-two-year-old man. I’m pretty sure I can handle myself fine.”

I crossed my arms on my chest. “Like you did when Luca was sick?”

“Hey!” He rested his hand on his chest in mock offense. “First, that one is on him, not on me. And second…” He twisted his mouth to the side. “Okay, I don’t have a second but it’s only an evening. You’ll be back before I know it.”

I sighed. “Yes, but Luca…”

“What about Luca?”

“Are you sure he’s okay to step in? I really don’t want him to do something he is not keen on doing. He’s been staying in for over two years now. I’m not sure…”I am not sure I'm worth the effort, I added to myself but I knew it would piss Dom off if I said that. He was my own personal cheerleader.

“Between you and me?”

I nodded.

“I don’t think he realizes it himself but he is probably thanking the heavens right now to have the opportunity.”

I let out a short laugh. “I hope it is true… I—” I took a deep breath. “I like him.”

“Oh, you do? Wow… That’s brand-new information.”

I rolled my eyes; the sarcasm was strong with that one. “No, I mean I likelikehim.” Yep, I was a seventh grader again.

Dom looked at me silently, like I was dim. “Did you think you were smooth about it?”

Suddenly panic settled into me. “Do you think he knows?” If he did, I swear I'd never be able to look at him in the eyes again.

Dom snorted. “He should, normally he would, but he is so stuck in his self-hatred I don’t think he realizes that people can see beyond that.” He took a deep breath and settled a little more comfortably on his pile of pillows. “Run along now. I need my beauty sleep.”

“Okay, but you call me if you need anything, please.”

“Scout’s honor!” He promised, raising his hand in aStar Treksalutation.

“This is not how it’s done. That’s a Vulcan salute.”

He shrugged. “It is in Italy.”

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