Page 35 of The Darkest Prince

He’s in love with her.

Luca shrugs, giving Bastian one of his evil grins. “It’s the truth.”

Of course, the all-knowing Luca fucking Salvatore thinks he’s better than everyone. He has such a chip on his shoulder. The funny thing is Bash and I have a lot more money than our adoptive family.

We made the Forbes Billionaires list as kids after inheriting our parents’ airline. So if Luca thinks money makes him better than us, he’s so wrong. Once we turn twenty-one and graduate from college, we will inherit the money in our trusts and run Atlantic Airlines together.

Alex looks up at Luca like he’s a god. “This is for me?”

“It was in your locker, Drea. Who else would it be for?” Luca’s right eyebrow raises a few inches. “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding?” Alex’s cheeks are bright pink, her smile so wide it reaches her big, blue eyes. “I love it.”

She hugs Luca, and he looks sickened by having someone touch his skin. He hates it as much as I do. But he doesn’t seem to mind when it comes to Alex and grabs her ass, winking at Bash.

I have to grab Bash’s arm to keep him from choking Luca. His head snaps at me, teeth clenched. Without speaking, I know what he’s thinking. He should have agreed to let me kill Luca. I kinda want to, even though he’s my brother. Family. But anyone who hurts Bash deserves my wrath.

“It’s beautiful.” Alex’s arms slip away from Luca’s lean but muscular body, a smile plastered on her beautiful face. “But why did you buy this for me? I don’t have anywhere to wear it.”

He backs her into the locker, his fingers skimming up her right thigh, and smirks. “Because you’remine. And I won’t have you attending our graduation party without looking like a queen.”

She wants him to kiss her.

He won’t.

Luca hates intimacy. If anyone even tries to touch his shoulder, he’ll snap. It’s a side effect of all the abuse. Our father treated him the worst after Eva died. The punishments were severe and painful, reminders of what all of us had lost.

“Luca,” she whispers when his lips are inches from hers. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

The way she says his name sounds like a girl in love, not a girl who hated him a few months ago. A lot has changed since the day she challenged him.

“You’ll wear it on Saturday,” he tells her. “And you’ll come as my date, understood?”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Luca.” She’s bold and puts her hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer. “You’re not the boss of me.”

He cups the side of her face with possession. “You are mine, Drea.” He presses his forehead against hers in this rare moment of affection. “Say it.”

“No,” she whispers.

Good for her.

Luca has met his match.

ChapterFourteen

We graduatedon Friday from Astor Prep. And the following night, we’re forced to attend our graduation party. I could care less about all of this shit. Having too much attention makes me nervous. While Luca likes to be admired, I prefer to be left alone.

Marcello is over by the bar, drinking with his best friend, Sonny Cormac, and the newest addition, Aiden Wellington. They hang out together at school. Luca knows about his friendship with Aiden, even though Marcello thinks he’s good at hiding it.

All of them will be Knights one day. But Marcello and Sonny are two years behind us. Aiden graduated with us. However, his stubbornness makes it harder for Carl to talk Aiden into joining The Knights. He’s a free spirit like his twin sister and doesn’t understand our world.

I find Bastian on the right side of the ballroom, attached to Luca’s side. When Bash isn’t with me, he’s usually with Luca. They’re the most alike of the four of us and constantly butt heads. Both of my brothers enjoy the attention and lap it up.

Marcello is like me in some ways. Shy and keeps to himself. He tries to avoid us at all costs. But he’s not so bad once he lowers his guard.

I tap Bash on the shoulder. “I’m bored.”

“Hmmm…” He turns to look at me, grinning. “I’m sure you can find something to do until the party ends.”

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