Page 46 of On Ice

I laugh disbelievingly. “I wouldn’t be going through any of this crap if I’d never met you.”

“And if you’d just done as you were told,” he says coldly, “I wouldn’t have to spend my valuable time trying to clean up the mess you made.”

“The mess I made?”

He lifts one shoulder. “That’s right. You disobeyed me and now I have to handle the fall out. You think I don’t have way more important things I could be doing other than babysitting you and fixing this situation?”

“Hey, I wanted to stay at the hospital. Bringing me here was your idea, buddy.”

“And if I’d listened to you, you’d be dead,” he grates. “So instead of being all bratty with me, you should be kissing my fucking feet.”

“Kissing your feet?” I echo angrily.

He curls his lip. “Or you could suck my dick if you’d prefer.”

Heat floods my face, and something in me snaps. “You’re the most arrogant prick I’ve ever met, and I’ve met a lot of pricks. All I want is to get as far away from you as possible, asshole. I don’t know how many ways I have to tell you this, but I don’t want to be here. I don’t want your help. I want nothing to do with you, Luca. You shouldn’t try and save my life because if I get the chance, I’ll happily take yours.”

“Is that right?” he hisses.

“Fucking-A it is,” I growl.

He lunges forward and takes hold of the front of my shirt, pushing his face into mine. “If you want me to keep being nice, you’d better start showing me some fucking respect,” he snarls. His minty breath is warm against my lips. “I think perhaps youmisinterpret my kindness to you as weakness. Do I need to remind you of what I’m capable of?”

That darkness is back in his eyes, and while it’s terrifying, I’m sick of being pushed around. I struggle in his grip and take a swing at him, but he blocks me at the last second. He smirks and shoves me backward onto the bed, but I don’t stay down long. I jump back onto my feet, breathing hard.

“That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?” I growl, my blood boiling. “I play professional hockey for a living. I love a good fucking brawl.”

“You are the most obstinate—” He laughs harshly, raking a hand through his hair. He swears in Italian under his breath and then takes a deep breath. He laughs again gruffly, but there’s no humor in his eyes. “I’m trying so hard to be patient with you, Evan.”

“I don’t want your patience.” I glare at him. “Either let me go or just fucking kill me already. I’m sick of all the threats.Jesus, what do you expect me to feel? You kidnapped me, Luca. Do you think I’m going to be happy about that?”

He looks furious, but also confused and frustrated. He opens his mouth to respond, but there’s a soft knock at my door. We both turn to look at the door as it slowly pushes open. A young girl of about twenty pokes her head around the door.

“Luca, why are you yelling? You’re going to wake Mama.” She smiles at me and moves into the room. “You must be Evan.” She has long, curly dark brown hair and warm brown eyes. Her expression is inquisitive, and she doesn’t look in the least bit intimidated by Luca, even though he’s obviously angry.

Luca moves toward her. “Isabella, not now. You need to leave. I told you not to come in here.”

“I know.” She studies me with wide eyed curiosity. “But I wanted to meet Evan.”

I have no idea how to react to her sudden appearance. It’s probably a good thing she interrupted Luca and me since things were escalating, but I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone as I watch her waving Luca off. Who is she? Why isn’t she afraid of Luca?

Luca sighs. “I told you I didn’t want you to meet him yet.” He’s obviously displeased with her unexpected arrival, but the anger has left his voice. He sounds impatient, but awfully tolerant considering who he is.

She laughs. “Well, it’s too late now.” She studies me, and I’m acutely aware of my split lip, as well as my scratches and bruises. “I’m Luca’s sister.”

She’s his blood? I hold her gaze, not sure how to respond. Does she expect me to say something? What would I say?Nice to meet you. You have a lovely home. I’ve never been held captive anywhere nicer?It’s difficult to connect this harmless seeming girl to the violent thug I know Luca to be. I suppose everyone has a family, even mobsters, but it’s impossible to picture Luca being connected to her.

“I heard about the car accident. You’re very lucky to be alive.” When I still don’t respond, she sighs and gives her brother a chiding glance. “You’ve got him so upset he can’t even talk, Luca. You can’t just yell at people and expect them to feel good about it.”

“Thank you for your unsolicited advice, Tesoro.” He takes hold of her slender shoulders and steers her toward the door. “Now go away and let me handle things, okay? This isn’t your concern.”

She strains her neck to try and get another glimpse of me. “He’s not at all what I was expecting for a hockey player. He’s cute. I thought his nose would be all smashed up.”

“Okay. Bye, bye.” He pushes her out the door. “Go have breakfast or something.” He shuts the door and locks it. He turns and leans his back against the door, watching me. His face is difficult to read, but he seems less angry. We just stare at each other for a few moments, then he moves toward me. He stops a few feet in front of me. “Fighting each other does no one any good.”

I ignore his olive branch. “She didn’t seem to find it odd that you have me here as your hostage. Is that because you do this all the time?”

“You’re not my hostage. I’m keeping you here so you’ll be safe. It’s just temporary.” He avoids my gaze which makes me uneasy.

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