Page 108 of Flawed

I can't lose access to Luca.

What am I thinking?

"Massimo," I voice.

He meets my gaze.

I admit, "I need this. Drop it and agree to disagree with me on this one."

He shakes his head but finally replies, "Fine. But if anything ever happens—"

"It won't. I'll follow the rules," I vow.

He grinds his molars then nods. "Fine. Don't make me regret this, Chanel."

19

Luca

Six Months Later

It's beensix months since Chanel snuck out of my penthouse while I was in the shower. I've cursed myself too many times for allowing her out of my sight.

I could have known where she lived.

I could have found out who she worked for and how she got into the club.

Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda.

It all means nothing because I'm still as clueless about her whereabouts as I have been for the last ten years. There are only two additional things I learned from our night together.

My countless hours of obsessing over her weren't in vain. The chemistry between us wasn't something I imagined. If anything, it only grew more explosive as we've aged.

And she's friends with Pina. I saw them hanging out all night. They're close, so it leads me to believe she has some affiliation with the Marinos—my real family.

But what is it?

I've flown on all the private jets the Marinos have. She's not Angelo's flight attendant, nor that of any of his sons. I've been on all of them, and not once have I ever seen her.

So how did she get associated with the Marinos?

She could just be Pina's friend, but she seemed to know many people in the VIP rooms. There were a few O'Connors she spoke with, but she was comfortable with the Marinos, as if she knew them well. So my gut tells me she's somehow associated.

She's French, so she's not family.

There's no way she does dirty work for Angelo, so what is her affiliation?

The questions never stop, nor do they get answered. I assume if I asked Angelo about her, he'd tell me who she is, but I'd also have to answer a lot of questions. And I'm not willing to discuss our history with anyone.

Whenever Jacopo orders me to the club, I no longer hate it. Yet it's never the right night. She's never there when I am. Even Pina's barely been there. Every time I see her, my hopes rise. Then they fall flat after I realize my stellina is nowhere to be found.

Oddly enough, I'd feel better asking Pina about Chanel versus Angelo or his sons. But I can't. As far as the world knows, I'm an Abruzzo. Talking to Pina is strictly off-limits. Plus, she'd be horrified if she thought I touched her friend. And if she let anyone else know, it could get around. The last thing I want is any Abruzzo knowing about Chanel and me.

When Jacopo gave me an assignment tonight, I eagerly got ready and came to the club. It's earlier than I normally arrive, but it'll give me the perfect opportunity to see anyone who walks into the place.

I position myself in a sitting area on the top level, nursing the same glass of sambuca. The man Jacopo needs me to meet with arrives. I take care of the information I need to pass on to him then scan the club.

It's still early enough that the dance floor barely has people on it. I make a quick sweep of each floor then sit back in the same chair I was in earlier, barely paying attention to any conversations and ignoring several women vying for my attention.

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