Page 46 of Harlem

I sense Luca at my back. When I let go of my mom to look at him, I see the unspoken question in his eyes. He wants to know why my mom would be so distraught over my forgetting to check in with my every move. How do I explain that she’s not behaving this way simply because she’s being unnecessarily overprotective? Luckily, he doesn’t ask.

At the sound of an engine rumbling, the three of us turn our attention to Baja, who is rolling up the drive. I hadn’t even noticed he was following us here.

“Is everything all right?” Mom asks.

Luca hands me my purse. “I want you and your mom to go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”

I hesitate for a second before nodding and doing as he asks. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go inside.” I go to the front door and glance back at Luca to see him talking to Baja.

“What’s going on, Sukie?”

I take Mom’s hand in mine and usher her inside. I give her a reassuring smile. “I’m not sure. Luca showed up at Juniper’s and insisted on bringing me home. He hasn’t told me anything. Whatever it is, it has to do with the club.”

“Oh.” Mom touches her chest. “I hope it’s not something bad.” She pauses and peeks out the living room window. “But I’m guessing it can’t be good if he made you leave your car in town and insisted he drive you home.”

I sigh. “Yeah. I don’t know much about the club, but I’ve heard Sage mention the guys keep their business to themselves. She said even she’s not in the loop of what the club does daily.”

Stepping away from the window, Mom walks over and touches her palm to my cheek. “Either way, I’m glad you have Harlem. You deserve to have someone look after you like he does.” A familiar look of guilt flashes across her face. I know where her thoughts are taking her.

“Mom,” I whisper.

Knowing what I’m about to say, she shakes her head and changes the subject. “Are you hungry? I kept dinner warm in the oven. Come into the kitchen, and I’ll fix you a plate.”

Mom invited both Luca and Baja to stay and eat with us. Dinner was filled with mundane conversation, but there was no denying the weird vibes coming from both men. After we finished eating, Luca and Baja escaped outside again while I helped Mom with the dishes.

It is nearly midnight when I hear Baja take off on his bike and Luca makes his way back inside. I stand from where I’m sitting at the dining room table and immediately go to him.

“I’m crashing here tonight,” he declares.

“Luca, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

He pulls me into his side. “Nothin’ you need to worry about, baby. Just trust that the club handles it and that you and your mom are safe.”

I want to protest and demand answers, but I decide to put my trust in Luca. When I don’t push for more, Luca visibly relaxes.

“It’s late.” Mom walks in from the kitchen. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night.”

Luca nods. “Us too.” He kisses the top of my head. “You go on. I’m going to lock up.”

I leave Luca to set the alarm and go down the hall to my bedroom. It feels so surreal having him spend the night at my house.

A hand on my arm stops me and brings me out of my wandering thoughts. “You good?” Mom asks.

I nod. “Yeah. It’s just been a weird day, ya know?”

“That it has,” she agrees.

“Plus.” I grin, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve never had a man sleep over.”

My mom giggles. “Just do your mom a favor and try to keep it down tonight.”

I gasp and stare at Mom with my mouth hanging open. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you said that.”

“Oh, please. I’m old, not dead, Sukie. Besides, you’re a grown woman.”

I start shaking my head back and forth, my face flaming. “We are not having this conversation.”

Mom rolls her eyes. “Sex is natural…”

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