Page 86 of Under the Influence

“Okay, thanks,” I say turning back.

“Do you want me to tell him you stopped by?” he says impassively.

“No, and don’t look at me like that, Dominic. Like I’m some one night stand you have to get rid of in the morning,” I say bitterly.

“Where is Franco?” He asks, annoyed.

“He is running late, Lucia is with me for now.”

“Figures,” he says sarcastically.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing,” he says shaking his head. “Shall I arrange for someone to take you both home?”

“No, thank you,” I say politely, walking out into the loud club.

I go to the bar and wait anxiously for Lucia, but she isn’t there. To avoid looking like I have been stood up I order a drink, but one sip is enough to make me nauseous.

“You’ve been nursing that drink for a hell of a long time,” a voice says from behind me.

I whip around feeling hopeful, but it isn’t Rocco; the accent doesn’t match.

I squint in the darkness and make out the tall masculine figure of Henri. His blonde hair has been combed back slickly giving him a classic affluent European look complimentary of his lineage. His blue eyes twinkle at me and there is something about him that I find ominously familiar, but I just cannot put my finger on why.

He is dressed in a navy suit and white crisp shirt, every sense of the debonair gentleman. I haven’t seen him since Capri, which in itself feels like a lifetime ago. I look around nervously for Rocco’s brooding eyes, but they are nowhere in sight. I try to think objectively about Rocco’s reaction to me not only being here when I am not supposed to but also being here with Henri, who he does not like whatsoever. Would his possessiveness drive him back into my arms, or would it force us apart even more?

“I hope I didn’t scare you,” he says, smiling.

“Henri,” I say, putting my hand out to greet him.

“Enchanté,” he says, kissing my hand. “How are you,Mon Chéri?”

“I’m good,” I say, shouting over the music.

“Are you sure about that? You’re sitting on your own on Valentine’s Day?” He chuckles.

“I’m waiting for Lucia. I don’t know where she got to, and I could say the same for you.”

“I fear I was stood up,” he says, checking his phone before typing slowly, then putting it away.

“What? Really?” I say, frowning at the unlikeliness.

“I guess it happens.”

“On Valentine’s Day? That is kind of mean.” I say taken back.

“I’ve always liked the mean ones,” He laughs.

“There are plenty of women here. You might get lucky tonight,” I say reassuringly. “I’m going to try and call Lucia,” I say while reaching for my phone.

I try to call her, but the line doesn’t go through. A message pops up on my screen, but it isn’t from Lucia, it’s from Rocco. My insides turn to slush as I read the screen telling me to come and meet him at an address. I put the phone away and frown slightly. Dominic must have told him that I was here.He must want to see me, I think as my insides light with hope. I try Lucia again, but the call goes straight to voicemail.

“Is everything okay?” Henri asks.

“Yeah, I just can’t reach Lucia, which is strange.”

“I saw her when I came in talking to some guy. Perhaps she went off with him? Is that likely?”

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