Page 79 of Cinder
“Which is how?”
“Exactly how I used to look at Beast when I knew I shouldn’t want him, but I couldn’t help myself.”
Her words linger long after she leaves to put Lucy to bed.
And I sit with them for a while in the soft glow of the library, wishing things were different.
But I don’t have a choice.
Luca has ensured that.
I quickly rise to my feet and cross the room to the bookshelf before I lose my nerve and pull the book from the shelf.
Forgive me, Belle.
And slipping the book into my backpack, I leave the library and disappear out the front door.
CHAPTER 36
Ella
I makeit back to the motel just as the sun is setting. The light is low, but as I approach my room, I realize something is wrong. The door is ajar.
Cautiously stepping inside, my stomach tightens when I see Luca standing in the middle of the room.
He swings around to look at me. Hair perfect. Suit immaculate. A cloud of Paco Raban clinging to him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, scrambling to think of why he would risk blowing my cover to come here.And what possible violence might follow.
A female voice to the left of me makes me jump. “Is that any way to greet your brother?”
I swing around to see Carolina sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. Her long legs crossed. A cigarette between her claws.
“It’s all right, mother.” Luca sniffs as he tugs on the end of each sleeve, diamond and gold cufflinks glinting in the low light. “I’m sure she’s tired after being on her knees all day cleaning.”
“I thought there might be a problem if you’ve come here.” My mind jumps to Lucretia and my heart leaps to my throat. “Is Lucretia okay? Has something happened?”
I can’t hide my panic, and Luca smiles.
“She’s fine.” His smile tightens. “For now.”
I swallow thickly. “Then why are you here? If someone from the clubhouse sees you?—”
“And who would see me? Why would anyone from the clubhouse have reason to be here?” His tone is accusatory, and so are his dark eyes. “You’re keeping a low profile like I told you, aren’t you sister?”
“Yes, I am, but there is still a risk. If someone sees you here, there will be questions.”
“Then you’d better hope no one sees me.”
God, I hate this man so much.
Moving away from him, I drop my handbag on the dresser. Luca is here to play games. To get his fix of torturing me.
Carolina is here to watch.
“I’m here for an update,” he says.
“Isn’t that what Thugs One and Two are for?” I ask.
