Page 37 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“Do you have substantial proof of this?”
“Nothing tangible, but I have witnessed it on multiple occasions, and I have several other witnesses who would be more than happy to testify.” I reach out and link my fingers with his, uncertain if I’m offering comfort or seeking it.
“I’m afraid I can’t do anything with baseless accusations. I suggest you get cameras and document any incidents. Until you can provide credible evidence, you should follow the court's custody agreement.”
Luca tenses, but I can’t help the pride that swells in my chest. He just claimed us in front of Austin’s sister and a complete stranger. Lori looks downright feral — the antithesis of Evelyn, who has a sly grin on her face.
Rylin is clinging to me, her curls tickling my neck as she buries her face there. “I missed you,” I whisper, smoothing a hand over her head.
“Missed you,” she murmurs, her voice a little sleepy.
“Let’s get you buckled into your car seat, my love.” It’s past her usual nap time and if it weren’t for the altercation, she would already be down and out. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper to Luca, placing a lingering kiss on his cheek to lay a claim of my own.
Once I have Rylin safely stowed in the truck, I return to the scene of the incident, noting that Lori has now joined the party. “Can we get a copy of this report?” Luca asks.
“Yes, that’s not a problem, sir,” the officer responds, his demeanor having changed now that he’s speaking to my husband. The blatant misogyny is not lost on me.
Lori is staring daggers at Luca, so I make a show of putting my arms around his waist, involuntarily inhaling his woodsy scent. He palms the back of my head and brings his lips to my temple.
“Is Rylin okay?” he whispers, and the wall I’ve built around my battered heart loses another brick. My fake husband has shown more care and concern for my daughter in the last few weeks than her own father has in her entire life. It’s a stark contrast, and I have to remind myself that I can’t afford to catch feelings. I pull away, but not too far. I don’t want it to look suspicious.
“She’s alright,” I reply. “Just tired.”
Once the report is finished, the officer leaves, followed closely by Evelyn. Luca places a hand on the small of my back to guide me to the truck, but we don’t get far before a shrill voicestops us in our tracks. “Didn’t waste any time giving that girl a new daddy, did you?”
“What the fuck is your problem, Lori?” I seethe, clenching my fists so tightly my nails just might break the skin.
“You treated my brother like shit, cheated on him, and took his daughter away from us. And then she comes in here talking about this new guy all of a sudden, and you expect us to just hand her over? You’re clearly unstable.”
“Cheated on him?” My body is coiled tight, ready to snap, but I manage to rein it in for the sake of my daughter. The last thing she needs is for her mom to get arrested. “I don’t know what kind of bullshit your brother has been telling you, butIdidn’t cheat.Hedid.” Luca’s hand wraps around my waist, holding me back from charging at the bitch. “And that’s not even why I left, but you wouldn’t know a fucking thing about that because your head is too far up his ass to see him for what he is. Let’s go, Luca. I won’t stand here and be disrespected.” I turn on my heel, intending to tug him along with me, but he doesn’t budge.
“You might want to ask your piece of shit brother about the bruises he left on my wife. And stay the fuck away from my family.”
Luca helps me into the truck, and I watch as he scans the backseat to check on my girl. Once he’s made sure that we’re both securely buckled in, he takes his place behind the wheel. When he reaches across the console to rest his arm along the back of my seat, his fingertips graze my bare shoulder, and I shudder.
“If Austin wants to play,” he says, backing out of Lori’s driveway as she stands, arms crossed, at the top of her porch steps. “Game fucking on.”
After we get Rylin safely tucked into bed, I carefully close her bedroom door, turning to face my husband in the dimly lit hallway. “I have to get to work. Are you going to be okay here?” he asks.
“We’ll be fine. I was just going to unpack my art supplies and work on some commissions.”
“Hold that thought,” Luca says. Grabbing my hand, he leads me back downstairs, past the kitchen and the half bath, to a door at the end of the hallway that I just assumed was a closet. When he opens the door, my breath catches. It would be completely ordinary if not for the floor to ceiling windows on the back wall, looking out onto a gorgeous view of the backyard with all of its lush greenery and massive trees that look like they’ve been there for ages.
“What is this?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Your art studio… if you want.”
“Are you serious, Luca?” I throw myself at him, and he catches me, my entire body wrapping around him like a koala. One of his hands goes to the small of my back where my tank top has lifted, and my body reacts to his touch like a moth to a flame. “Are you sure you don’t want it for yourself?”
“I have my workshop. Besides, this space was practically made for you.”
“Thank you. This is incredibly thoughtful.” I catch a faint blush in his cheeks, and he’s even more beautiful up close. Before he can catch me ogling him, I drop myself back downonto solid ground. “I should let you get to work. If Miles gives you shit, you can blame me.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. I texted him when we got back.”
“Oh, ok. Make sure you grab some lunch before you head out. It’s hot out there, and I don’t need you passing out on the job site.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes me with a subtle grin, leaving me alone in my new art studio. I throw my arms out as I toss my head back and spin in a circle, reveling in the feeling of utter bliss. Gone is the stress from earlier in the day, replaced with a plethora of ideas to make this space my new haven.
