Page 68 of Vows of Blood

He’s standing near the bar now, elbows on the counter behind him, and eyes trained on me as he listens intently to what someone tells him.

Sophia stalks toward a high-top table nearby, bringing her head close to the woman beside her, no doubt, gossiping about me.

I ignore her completely.

Instead, I walk straight up to Luca, who watches with interest as I approach, his heated stare devouring me with an intensity that almost makes me falter. I can’t tell whether this is a good idea, but I’m not backing down in front of Sophia.

Luca stands to his full height and moves toward me, ending the conversation with his companion, mid-sentence.

Sidling up to him, I give the men he just abandoned a warm, apologetic smile. “Sorry, gentlemen. Please don’t let me interrupt.”

I slip my arm through his and press myself against his side like I belong here.

He glances down at me, surprise ghosting across his features before he schools them into indulgent amusement. "Missed me?" he asks, one eyebrow raised.

"Always," I reply loud enough for the men around us to hear.

Luca wraps an arm around me, and I slide my hand up his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt, and the steady thump of his heart under my palm.

When the rest of the circle moves on with their conversation, I rise on my tiptoes, bringing my lips to his ear.

"I thought you should know I just had a disagreement with the woman in red outside." I feign remorse, though I feel none. “She told me she’d be replacing me in your bed in no time. I didn’t think your future wife would allow that to stand.”

Luca’s eyes blaze, but he does nothing to give away the anger I see bubbling up inside him, which I hope is not directed at me.

“Just wanted to let you know in case you heard it from someone else.” Stroking my hand down, letting my nails drag along the front of his shirt, I lower my eyes, doing my best to look innocent and coy for those around us.

“Where was Tony?” Luca asks, low and rough, sounding slightly unhinged.

Oh no.

“Tony was there, but he had no way of knowing it was going to be anything other than some friendly small talk.”

Luca glares at Tony, where he stands no more than six feet away. Apparently, Luca thinks Tony should have known.

“She tried to slap her,” Tony confesses, though I had planned to leave that part out.

Luca goes very still, then gives my face a quick scan to make sure I’m not hurt. “You okay?”

I nod. “I’m fine. She didn’t touch me.”

Instead of flying off the handle, Luca pulls me flush against him. His lips brush my temple as he responds, "So this is you proving a point?" he asks, his husky voice sending tingles dancing across my skin. "I’m not complaining. In fact, I'm enjoying it immensely."

I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. They're darker than before, heated in a way that sends warmth flooding through my veins. "I want her to see I’m not a pushover."

Luca’s hand slides lower as he hauls my body closer until I’m practically draped against him.

The men around us avert their gazes as Luca runs his lips along my jaw.

"Feel free to take it as far as you want." His thumb traces circles on my hip, the same maddening pattern from this morning, lips curving into a slow, dangerous smile. Luca’s glances at Sophia, right before he nods at Tony who moves in her direction.

“Luca, there’s no need…”

He dips his head and kisses me, drowning out my protests.

“I appreciate you handling it, but it’s just as important for everyone to know that any disrespect to you will not be tolerated. I protect my own. And the sooner everyone accepts that’s what you are now, the better.”

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