Page 22 of Wicked Knight

“College doesn’t count.”

“It counts.” I chuckled.

If she weren’t about to pass out, she’d point out the fact that the lesson plans I had sent to her were beyond inappropriate. I had followed her to the restaurant to get an answer from her, to make sure she agreed to do the assignments I created for her. All in exchange for a better grade. For a moment, I considered telling her the truth. I considered warning her against me and Uncle Jimmy’s plans.

Don’t play the game, sweet princess, and you’ll be safe.

I’m going to break your heart.

Her eyes fluttered closed. “I’ve been in love with you for so long.” She inhaled deeply. “Every time the sun comes up and you’re not by my side, I feel like there’s a big part of my life that’s missing. You and I have always had a connection. You know we do. Why do you fight it?”

“I’m not fighting anything.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Fighting you gets me nowhere.”

“Then stay.”

“Good night, Ms. Salvatore.” I bent down and kissed the top of her head. My chest hurt when I realized my little detour was over and I had to go home. “Sweet dreams.”

I turned off the light on her bedside table. The moment the room went dark, she sat up reaching for me. “Luca.”

“I’m here.” I scrambled with the switch. After a few tries, I managed to get the lights back on. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were afraid of the dark in here too. Shh.” I took her palm and placed it over my heart. “I’m here.”

“The cellar is so cold and dark. I hate it when it’s dark. I can’t breathe when it’s so dark.” She mumbled half-asleep.

“What happened to you?”

“Don’t go.” She glanced up at me with those big blue eyes. “I lied to everyone. I will never get over you. If I have to wait forever, I will.”

“I won’t go. I promise. Close your eyes now. I’ll stay with you until the sun comes up.” I tucked her back in.

When she finally released my hand, I moved to the chair near the window to watch her sleep. I could blame this on Uncle Jimmy, that I’d been reduced to playing the babysitter for Donata. But that would be a lie. I was here because I wanted to be. Because the mere thought of Enzo helping Donata with her bath and then undressing her made me see red.

I reached across the side table and grabbed my suit jacket. A part of me wanted to call off the whole thing. At first the idea of giving Donata a taste of her own medicine appealed to me. And if truth be told, if Uncle Jimmy were not part of this plan, I would more than gladly spend the rest of my life playing this game with Donata.

But Uncle Jimmy was a dangerous mobster, who wouldn’t think twice in killing Donata, me and my family to get what he wanted.

Know your place, son. Uncle Jimmy’s words swirled in my head.You will do as I say. Or your mother will pay the consequences.

Mom adored Uncle Jimmy. He would never do physical harm to her. But he had other ways to make her feel pain. He could take away that beach house she loved so much. He could marry off one of my sisters to the cruelest man he could find. When I looked at it that way, what he offered me wasn’t so bad. Except for the part where Donata would suffer and then lose it all.

My phone buzzed with a call from Uncle Jimmy. “Speak of the devil. And the devil shall appear.” I said under my breath, while I glared at his name on my screen for a few seconds before I answered.

“Luca here,” I said softly, keeping my gaze on Donata’s sleeping form.

“My sources tell me Alfred is at Donata’s place. Are you with her?”

“Yes.”

“Good. You’re finally making progress. I grow tired of your methods. It’s been months. How hard is it to knock her up and get her to marry you?”

“That’s not what we agreed on.”

“You’re my favorite nephew.”

I wasn’t.

“Because of that. And because of your mother, I let you handle Donata your way. I’m calling to remind you that you’re running out of time. Finish the job or I will finish it for you.”

I squeezed my phone tight. “I’m aware of how much time I have left.”

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