Page 75 of Luka

I was wrong.

Staring at Luka, seeing the confliction causing him pain, the frown curling his lips… I realize he’s nothing like my father, and his heart is nothing that I’ve ever experienced. I thought he was possessive, that his jealousy naturally would lead to it, but instead, he’s pushing me away out of fear that he isn’t good enough. He wants what is best for me, even if it isn’t him.

This is love. It feels so foreign that I almost missed it entirely.

When my throat feels full, I press my hand to it and blink.

Who am I to deny him this? What would it say if I forced him to go with me?

“Okay,” I say with a nod. I clear my throat and hope he knows I understand. And that I love him back. “What are you going to do then?”

He leans back on his heels. “Mila has been calling… My brother hasn’t been doing well. I thought I would start there.”

I give him a small, encouraging smile and nod. “I think that’s a great idea… And I don’t think you should wait.”

His brow furrows. “I’m not going to just?—”

“Luka,please. We’ve been goofing off long enough… It’s been fun, but it’s time for you to get back to the real world.”

He stares off while he considers it for several moments. My arms wrap around my chest while I try to think of what to do, where to go. Already, I’m scared, but I try my best not to let that show.

“Arseni is in Canada,” Luka says, coming back to me. “He’ll help you cross and get you set up there.”

Arseni.

I donottrust fuckingArseni.

And I almost say it. My teeth clamp together to stop myself.

If I tell Luka I’m not comfortable with it, he’ll take me himself… And I really don’t want to keep him longer. His family needs him in Vegas.

Plus,hetrusts Arseni. That has to count for something.

I force a smile and nod.

With a sigh, he returns my smile and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, Peach. Let’s get out of here.”

As we walk, I try not to notice how the sun has set. Try not to think about how this will be our last night together.

Try not to think about how there are so many things I want to say, yet I have no idea how to say them.

22

LUKA

My phone dings just as I pull into the parking lot of the hospital, the flashing lights of an ambulance making me squint my bloodshot eyes. I find a spot then park my car and grab my phone from the passenger seat. I expect it to be a text from Mila, but it’s from Arseni.

Here. Room number?

My tired eyes close as I lean my head against the wheel for a few moments. I’ve been driving for sixteen hours straight, but it isn’t until this moment that I feel like I could sleep.

She’s okay.

She isn’t here. She isn’t with me. But she’s okay. She’s better for it.

I text him the room number Lucia is staying in, then slide the phone in my pocket and rub my hands over my face. I’m half-tempted to drive home instead of going inside. It’s five in the morning, so Leo is no doubt asleep and certainly doesn’t want my company.

But he won’t want to hear what I have to say later any more than he will now… And I’m afraid I’ll lose my nerve.

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