Page 11 of Weaponized

“I’m here to see Booker. Heard he was dropping by.” Rowan is all business.

Gianni nods in response, but his eyes remain on me. “Yeah, he just got here. Go on back.” However, he grabs my wrist as I attempt to follow my brother into the yard. “You can stay here and get to know me, bella.”

My calm-looking brother no longer looks so calm. His eyes flash and he bares his teeth. “Drop her hand, Abruzzi. Now.” His voice is steel.

Gianni squeezes hard and then complies. His hands come up in a motion of surrender. His movements are stiff. “Just being friendly, O’Toole. I assumed you brought your sister here to meet friends.”

“She has enough friends,” Rowan replies darkly then gently takes my hand to pull me through the gate onto the brightly lit patio. “This is why I hate you getting close to these Italian fucks,” my brother grumbles in my ear.“No fucking morals.”

I don’t bother telling him that I can handle myself, or that no one in our world has decent morals. Or, that he obviously has some deal going with the Italians himself. Nope. I just shake out my wrist and hope the asshole didn’t leave a bruise.

“Don’t get in any fights, Row. That’s not why we’re here. Don’t piss off the Italians, remember? All part of the big plan you won’t tell me about. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to protect myself when you’re keeping me in the dark.” It’s a low blow, but I’m using Gianni’s little act of aggression to my advantage. Rowan will have to tell me more now. His protective nature won’t allow anything else.

My brother sighs, looks annoyed. “If you’re going to play with these assholes, I suppose I’m going to have to prepare you better. We’ll talk more later.”

I try to stifle my victorious grin as I walk beside him, taking in my surroundings. There are about half as many people here as there were for the Saturday night party I observed, and the atmosphere is much more relaxed. I can smell weed coming from somewhere, and a few people are playing chicken in the pool. A couple makes out on a chaise at the other end of the patio. The one person I don’t see is Luca.

We’re here for nearly an hour, my brother introducing me to a couple guys and girls who appear friendly enough. He’s done whatever business he had with Booker, and I’ve just decided this has been an epic failure when I see Matteo walk out of the pool house. He is obviously high by the expression on his face.

“I’m losing my touch,” he comments, walking over to Rowan and me.“I can usually sense when a beautiful woman enters my home.” His eyes are glassy and he has a strange smile on his face.

I can feel Rowan tense next to me, but I ignore that in favor of keeping Matteo’s attention. “You still have the worst lines ever.”

He smiles as he looks over my head, scanning the yard, looking for something or someone. “Been here long?”

“About an hour or so,” Rowan answers the question that was obviously directed at me.

Since Matteo came from the pool house, I wonder if Luca is inside. “Is there a restroom nearby?” I ask him. I know no one goes in the bigger house, and I’m betting the pool house is where guests are allowed. Maybe this is my ticket for entry.

Matteo seems to ponder what I didn’t think was a tough question. Then he offers, “Go up to the main house, through the back set of doors. Just through the kitchen, there is a staircase. Bathroom is upstairs, first door on your right.”

“Main house?” My brother questions, suspicion lacing his tone.

“Bathroom in the pool house had an incident,” Matteo replies easily. “You don’t want to send your sister into that mess.”

“I’ll walk her,” Rowan informs us.

“Not necessary.” Matteo shrugs. “I was headed in anyway. Gotta see what my diabolical twin is up to.”

My brother doesn’t appear to like this, but he looks at me for direction. He knows why I’m here, so while he may hate me being alone with Matteo, he understands I have a purpose. I nod at him.

“Thank you.” I smile at our host. “Lead the way.”

I wrap my hand around Matteo’s bicep as he guides me through the few remaining partygoers to the back of his house. He opens the French doors and motions for me to continue inside. I step into a gourmet kitchen with black cabinets and gleaming black stainless appliances. A large island fills the center of the room. It looks like I’ve stepped into a magazine. I’m stopped from continuing my admiration when I feel his palm against my back. “This way.”

He motions to a staircase as we make our way out of the eat-in area. “First door on the right,” he reminds me, nodding upward. I dip my head in thanks, trudging forward. I really don’t have to use the restroom. I just wanted access to the pool house, but there are no excuses to be made now.

The bathroom is large with double sinks, a huge jetted tub, and a standalone shower, which by itself is the size of some half baths. I’m used to opulence, but not in college homes. I take a few minutes to check my appearance and flush the toilet for no reason other than to appease whoever may be listening. I check the boring vanity drawers, wash my hands, and step out into the hallway, right into a brick wall.

Except the wall gently grabs onto my biceps to keep me from tumbling backward. “You’re in my house?” Those are the first words Luca Larozzi has ever spoken to me. I’m startled by the deep bass of his voice.

I get caught up for a moment looking into his stormy blue eyes. He has such an intensity about him. Only right now, I don’t see hatred, I see utter confusion. He blinks as if he may be hallucinating, but he doesn’t let go of my arms.

“Matteo told me I should use the restroom up here.” I whisper the words. I’m not afraid, exactly. But I’m also caught off guard and not completely certain how this will play out. I didn’t plan to meet him this way. Alone. So close.

“You’re here with Matteo?” His voice is gruffer this time, and he drops his hold on me. He hasn’t stepped back so we’re still nearly touching. His irritated expression is back.

“No!” Well, that may have been a little too emphatic, so I try again. “I’m here with my brother. There was someone he needed to see.”

---