Page 53 of DeLucas After Dark

I’m too tired to ponder or ask what that means. I fall asleep long before we arrive home.

MARCO

Pushing my thumbs into my eye sockets, I groan. What started as a little tension in my head is promising to turn into a full-blown migraine before the day is over.

I went from having the time of my life with my fiancé last night to being ready to murder her parents this morning.

A knock sounds at my door.

“Yeah,” I grumble.

“Mr. DeLuca, your driver’s here,” Nora, my assistant, says.

“Thank you. Are the arrangements in place?”

She smiles, “Yes, sir, and the refrigerator and freezers are fully stocked. All the gifts have arrived and are ready to be placed under a tree.”

I frown. “Damnit! I forgot about a tree. Piper’s going to kill me.”

Shaking her head, Nora says, “No, she won’t. There’s a fresh twelve-foot-tall spruce standing in the foyer of the cabin waiting to be trimmed.”

Standing, I go to her, hugging her briefly. “Did I give you a Christmas bonus, Nora?”

“You did.”

“I should give you a raise,” I declare as I grab my jacket from the back of a chair and head out into the foyer.

“I won’t complain, Mr. DeLuca,” she gushes.

“The only thing that you could do to be a better assistant is—”

“To go in your place and meet Nora’s parents.” She turns her lips down and says, “I don’t envy you that task.”

“Yeah? You got the same vibes that I get from them?”

Nora called to set up arrangements for Piper’s parents to meet me for brunch after they’d ignored my calls on several occasions.

“Let’s just say that I won’t be surprised if your future in-laws not only won’t welcome you into the family but also won’t be wishing you a season of tidings and joy.”

I sigh deeply. “Yeah, I know. If it weren’t for Piper, I wouldn’t give a fuck about them.”

“Well, they are her parents.”

“Yeah, unfortunately. Hey, she should be waking up in the next hour. When she does, let her know that I had a last-minute family meeting and I’ll be back as soon as possible. Make sure that she’s packed.”

Nora shakes her head, giggling. “I’ll see what I can do, Mr. DeLuca.”

As much as Piper is ready to go on vacation, she’s been procrastinating about packing. I know it’s because she wants to spend the holidays with her parents.

I head out of the house, hop into the back seat of the waiting silver Range Rover and wait as Gino, my driver, closes the door.

“Morning, Mr. DeLuca.”

“Is it?” I grunt.

“It’s all up to you, Mr. DeLuca. It’s only a few days before Christmas. Don’t let anyone ruin it for you.”

“Good luck with that. They’ve already managed to fuck up my day.”

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