Page 94 of Pretty Poisoned

He uses a key to unlock the door across the hall, then steps inside and lays me down on the bed between River and Hazel.

"I need you guys to watch my baby for me while I'm gone," he tells them.

"Does she have any allergies we need to know about?" River asks.

"I actually don't know the answer to that," Luca says. "Hey, baby. Do you have any allergies?"

I nod. "Kiwi."

"Really?" he asks.

"Uh-huh. I have an EpiPen in my bag."

"Don't give her any fucking kiwi."

"We have a nurse on staff," Hazel says. "She'll be fine."

"What the fuck happened to you?" River asks, referring to the bandage on my chest.

"Umm…" I look over her shoulder at Luca, who only laughs a little. "Nothing."

River gasps. "What did you do to her?"

I cover my face with my hands as she pushes the strap of my tank top aside so she can peel the top of the bandage back.

"Holy shit, Luca," she says.

"Jesus…" Hazel says. "Does it hurt?"

"A little bit, yeah."

"She likes it," Luca tells them.

"Do you like it?" Hazel asks.

I nod.

I love it.

"It actually doesn't look that bad," River says. "It'll scar, for sure, but it looks like you cleaned it up okay."

"I took care of it," Luca tells her. "I know what I'm doing."

"And when you get sick of him, it'll be pretty easy to turn the 'L' into an 'H,' so that's good," Hazel says.

"Don't fuck with me, Hazel," Luca says. "I haven't had any caffeine yet; I'm in no fucking mood. I'll carve my full fucking name into your ass cheek."

"I'm just trying to be positive. Calm down. Go to the fucking gym and burn off some of that toxic masculinity—that's what you're doing, isn't it?" Hazel looks at me, points to the desk, and adds, "We ordered coffee.Youcan have some if you want."

"All right. I'm leaving," Luca says. He leans over the bed and kisses me.

"Bye," I tell him.

"Bye," Hazel says. "Don't be mad at me, Luca. You're my best friend."

"You're a fucking liar, Hazel," he says. "You like Eli and Declan better than me." He kisses her on the forehead. "I forgive you, though."

"Bye, Luca," River says as he heads out the door.

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