Page 107 of On Ice

I stare out the window and my reflection in the glass looks haunted. I’m shocked at just how distraught I appear. For so long I thought I hated Luca, and Noah’s right, I wanted him gone from my life. But this past week, something changed. I started looking forward to seeing him. The sex was amazing like always, but our connection had turned into something more. We talked about personal stuff and we laughed a lot. What began as a semi-hostage situation has morphed into something that feels like a real relationship. The idea of never hearing his laugh again, or feeling his touch guts me. But that could very well be what’s about to happen.

The terrifying reality is Luca might die before I can get to him.

****

Tony picks me up at the airport just as Isabella said he would. There are several armed men with him and he doesn’t smile when he sees me. His expression is grim as he leads me tothe SUV. Once inside the vehicle, I turn to him, almost afraid to ask about Luca.

Maybe he sees something in my expression because the first thing he says is, “He’s alive.”

I slump with relief, closing my eyes as my emotions get the best of me. Clenching my jaw, I stuff down what feelings I can, and open my eyes again. “Can I see him?”

“No. Not yet.”

Frustration nips at me. “Why not?”

He chuffs. “Because it’s not safe. Why do you think I rushed over to pick your ass up? Luca was worried you’d be in danger. Significant others are easy marks.”

I frown. “Wouldn’t I be safe at the hospital with Luca?”

“The hospital isn’t secure. We can’t worry about protecting you and him, okay? I’m taking you back to the house like Luca requested. You need to relax and just let us do what we do best, Evan.”

I hold his gaze, wanting to argue, but then I relent. “Can you at least tell me what exactly happened? What’s wrong with Luca?”

He lets out a shaky breath. “He has a head injury. The assholes who attacked him tried to murder him by shooting up his car. When that didn’t work, they rammed his SUV. He suffered blunt force trauma to the temple and a deep laceration that, according to Marco, bled like a tsunami.”

“Jesus,” I hiss, feeling sick picturing Luca bleeding and broken.

“Yeah, but thank goodness Marco was with him.” A twisted smile plays around Tony’s lips. “He’s a beast when it comes to protecting Luca. Fuckers thought they had the upper hand against Luca, but Marco wasn’t having it.”

“Who attacked Luca?”

“Some dirty snakes who pretended to be loyal decided to make a move.” His voice is laced with disgust. “Maria Calabrese seduced Tommy O’Malley into helping her stab Luca in the back.”

I heard those names brought up at the wedding, but no details stuck. “I thought you wise guys were all about loyalty?”

He laughs humorlessly. “Maria murdered her own husband. I don’t think loyalty is in her vocabulary.”

“She what?” I recoil.

“Nobody could prove it, but everybody knew the bitch did it.” His voice is harsh. “But that situation doesn’t matter anymore. Since she took on more than she could chew today and failed miserably. She’s fucking dead meat. Tommy too.”

“I don’t understand your world,” I say in disgust, glancing around uneasily at the cars outside on the road. “How can you ever really trust anyone?”

“You can’t.” He watches me and then adds, “Or at least, you can’t trust blindly.”

“But didn’t Luca trust that Maria bitch?” I scowl.

“Hell no, he didn’t trust her. He doesn’t fully trust anyone but family and Marco.” He shrugs. “But he kept them around because Maria and Tommy were useful. Now they’re not.”

“Will Luca kill them?” I ask hesitantly, pretty sure I know the answer.

He glances at me, anger simmering in his dark eyes. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your problem.”

I lean back against the seat, feeling conflicted. I’m not someone who loves violence, off the ice. But I can’t say the idea of that Maria bitch and Tommy whoever dying bothers me. I’m angry they tried to murder Luca, even as I realize that’s the world he lives in. I know he’s killed people. I know he doesn’t even think anything is wrong with taking a life. Still, I want Maria and her cohort to pay for what they did to Luca. I guess the more I’m around Luca, the more he’s rubbing off on me.

“How long will he be at the hospital?” I ask.

“His CT scan was clear and there’s no brain bleed. The doctor said he could go home in a day or two.” His grin is wry. “Of course, Luca threw a fit and thought he should go home immediately. Even half dead he’s thirsty for revenge.”

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