Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
PLATONIC
MINDY
Finding Luca casually sitting in the coffee shop across from my job was almost shocking enough that I thought it was a dream. Too bad when Ross showed up, I knew that not only was I fully awake, but my nightmare had just walked in.
I suspected Luca was a powerful man. I’m not blind to the fact that he has bodyguards everywhere he goes, but he doesn’t seem to actually need them.
He has a calm way about him that intimidates everyone, including me.
Maybe it’s because he looks like an avenging angel with his gray eyes that look almost silver and chiseled features.
The man is unbelievably beautiful, but he radiates a don’t fuck with me aura that’s hard to miss.
“Mindy,” Ross growls again.
I take a deep breath, push my shoulders back, and raise my head.
I haven’t gone to therapy because, honestly, in my family, church, and God were the cures for everything, but my cousin has been telling me to remember who I am.
I wasn’t always this pushover person, and until recently, I would’ve never imagined I’d be an abuse survivor.
However, nobody ever talks about the shame that comes with surviving trauma. I mean, I wasn’t raised to put up with that type of shit. It never even crossed my mind that I would be in this situation. My parents would kill behind me. And for those reasons, I feel so much guilt.
I don’t want my family to know I fell into a love bombing, narcissistic, red-flag-waving trap. It would kill them to know what I’ve been going through, so I suffer in silence. But like Karlie said, just because I fell doesn’t mean I can’t get my ass back up.
“I told you not to fucking talk to her. Are you hard of hearing?” Luca’s calm voice interrupts.
I can’t say that I’m surprised at how protective Luca is because he’s already done it once. But I am surprised that he’s not backing down even though I obviously have a shit ton of baggage.
“I told you I was her new man. You talk to me.”
My eyes go wide because I thought I was hallucinating when Luca said that. I look at him closer, and I can’t tell if he’s serious or not. It’s not like I know this man from Adam. Hell, I didn’t think I would ever see him again.
“Her new man? What the fuck are you talking about? She’s my WIFE!” Ross shouts.
The coffee shop goes quiet, and without turning around, I can feel the stares heating the back of my neck. If there’s one thing Ross knows how to do, it’s cause a scene. He’s notorious for wanting all of the attention to be on him.
“I suggest you find something safe to do, Ross. Because you’re really starting to irritate me.”
There’s an accent to Luca’s words that wasn’t there before. His calm demeanor is still draped over him like a well-tailored suit, but that tranquility does not extend to his gaze. The fire I see blazing in those silvery depths makes me hold my breath.
“I don…”
Before Ross can respond, three large men coolly walk behind Ross without saying a word. I recognize one from Luca’s house, and he apparently recognizes me too because he smiles and nods. I return the gesture before turning my attention back to Luca.
“It’s time for you to leave, Ross,” Luca says. Ross, like the name, leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
When Luca moves his head slightly to the side, one of the men steps up and places a heavy hand on Ross’s shoulder. His lip instantly curls, and he whips around to stare at the man. I know that this could end badly, but I can’t turn away from the train wreck that’s about to happen.
“Get your fucking hands off of me! Do you know who the fuck I am? Do you know who you’re fucking with?” Ross questions, his bravado in full effect.
I’m not sure if Ross was blinded by his ego, but everyone else could see that Luca is the one not to fuck with in this scenario.
Luca gives boss energy without even trying.
Ross, on the other hand, was acting like an entitled idiot, and it’s barely even noon.
Now that I can see the walking red flag that he is, I can’t understand how I was so infatuated with this man.
Never again. Never.
As the vow to never be infatuated with another man runs through my brain, I once again lock gazes with Luca Dalonzo. I close my eyes to sever the connection because his eyes just told me I was a damn lie.
“Sir, just come with us. Mr. Dalonzo is a busy man, and you don’t want these problems,” the large man whispers so only we can hear.
I can’t help the snort that comes out because these Italians gotta a lot more sauce than I expected. They definitely have a little black pepper in there somewhere. When all the men look in my direction, I can’t help but grimace.
“Uh, my bad. Please, continue with whatever this is.” I shrug, and Ross stares at me in disbelief.
Hell, they’re doing me a favor. I don’t want to get in the crossfire. Ross can kiss my ass if he thinks I’m going to tell them anything different. He whooped the dog shit outta me, and he thinks I’m going to cosign him calling me his wife? I wish the hell I would.
“You’ll regret this,” Ross sneers before the men lead him out of the coffee shop.
Ross doesn’t say anything else, and he’s not foolish enough to resist or fight the three large men, so a little sense of relief spreads over me for now. However, as everyone turns to watch them leave, the heat of embarrassment finds its way to my face once again.
Unlike my so-called husband, I hate the attention of strangers. Although Ross would claim up and down that I would spread my legs for any man that looked my way, he was the one dipping his pole in any hole that gave him a second glance.
“You alright, Coniglia ?” Luca questions in that dreamy accent.
I don’t know what he just called me, but damn it sounded sexy.
I have to remind myself that this man is not what I’m used to.
The way he handled Ross without even raising his voice or getting out of his chair says something.
But I felt something from the very first sight of Luca.
It’s like I’m trying to pull against a bungee cord, but no matter how hard I fight, I still spring back to him.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry about that. I’m sure you were just trying to enjoy your lunch, and here comes Ms. Badu with all her bags.”
“That’s a funny analogy. I haven’t heard that song in a long time,” Luca chuckles with a shake of his head. His long hair swings like a breeze just couldn’t help but touch him.
“You know the song?” I question, a little surprised.
Luca, with his pressed dress slacks, button-down shirt, shiny shoes, and expensive watch, looks more like a Maroon 5 or Imagine Dragons type of guy.
He definitely doesn’t look like he’d know anything about Neo Soul, but to be fair, maybe he just knows Erykah because she’s a Dallas native.
Everyone who lives in the DFW should know her.
I guess I really shouldn’t be so judgmental, Luca doesn’t look like the type to save a woman from being beaten in a club bathroom either. But I know better than anyone, looks can be deceiving.
“Of course. I’ve lived in Dallas for most of my life.”
“Interesting, so where did you live for the other part of your life?”
I can guess it’s somewhere in Italy because of his accent, but I’m not sure because the only other countries I’ve been to are Jamaica and Mexico.
“I’ll tell you on one condition,” he says, leaning forward with a twinkle in his eye.
“And, what’s the condition?”
“A date, tonight,” Luca replies.
“So let me get this straight. The man that saved you, shows up today just in time to beat Ross’s funky ass again…”
“He didn’t beat up Ross, K.K.,” I interrupt, rolling my eyes.
“Whatever,” my cousin says, waving a dismissive hand. “He beat Ross’s ass, then he asks you out on a date after telling your bitchass husband that he’s your new man. Chiiile, where’d you say he was from again? ’Cause they don’t make ’em like that no more.”
“You’re stretching the story, cousin. Nobody said all that,” I chuckle.
“That’s exactly what you said, sis. I ain’t mad at all. You suffered enough with that asshole. I knew when your Mama said you hadn’t been home that something wasn’t right.” Karlie shakes her head, scowling.
She’s never met Ross, and I know my parents haven’t said anything bad about him, but I know that Karlie’s negativity is coming from a place of concern.
She’s the only person besides Luca who saw the aftermath of Ross’s beating.
After I told her the truth about my relationship, my cousin was ready to bring in the cavalry.
It took a lot of begging and pleading for her not to call my family.
I eventually told my parents that I had left Ross, and I would be divorcing him as soon as I got on my feet, but I only told them about his infidelity.
His cheating was enough reason for my Mama to call him everything but a child of God.
I didn’t want her to worry or get my daddy’s blood pressure up if I told them everything that was going on.
“I know, K.K. I’m ashamed that I let him control me like that. I should’ve never turned away from my family.”
“Aww, it’s okay, cousin. We all make mistakes. As long as you don’t lose your mind and go back to that prick.”
“I may have been temporarily insane for staying as long as I did, but I promise I would rather drag my naked ass over hot concrete before going back to that shit.”
Karlie bursts out laughing, and the sound is contagious. I can’t help but giggle along with her. The brief expression of joy makes me glad that I have people who love me no matter what.
“I’m serious. I’ll never put that much trust in a man again.”
“Now, don’t be so quick. This Luca character sounds like he’s trustworthy.”
I shrug, not agreeing or disagreeing because, honestly, I don’t know much about Luca. But I do know I can trust him with my life. And for me, that says a lot.
“Well, you obviously trust him enough to go out on a date with him. Ya hussy. That’s what I’m talking about, have your own affair. Like I always say, cheat back, sis. These men ain’t shit and don’t deserve your loyalty.”
“Karlie Rae Knox, you know it’s not like that. I would never,” I say, clutching my imaginary pearls.
“Never say never. Besides, the way you described Mr. Luca, it sounds like he deserves a little extra thanks. Gone head and let him clap them little cheeks,” Karlie replies, shimmying her shoulders.
I can’t help the loud cackle that leaves me.
I can say that I have a lot of titties, but when it comes to the booty department I’m severely lacking.
What can I say, every black girl doesn’t have a big booty to match the big boobies.
I mean, I’m not lacking curves, but I wouldn’t be considered a brick house either.
“Whatever, K.K. Nobody will be clapping these flapjacks anytime soon,” I giggle.
No matter how attracted I am to Luca, I will not jump into bed with him. I have plenty of shit to think about, and falling in lust with a man is not at the top of my list of priorities. I agreed to the date because Luca fascinates me. Getting to know him can be the distraction I need.
I can be platonic friends with a man. Even if he’s the finest man that I’ve ever met.
“Nothing wrong with a little rubbing and touching. I’m just sayin’,” Karlie interrupts my thoughts.
“Cousin, I think you might be the one who needs to get laid.” I arch my eyebrow and eye my cousin suspiciously.
Karlie is always talking about me getting back out there, but I’ve been staying with her for two months, and she hasn’t gone on one date. I haven’t even heard her mention a man in her life. All she does is work and hang out with me. Not that I’m complaining about the latter.
“The men that I’ve met lately are pure garbage, cousin. I’ll stick to my rose until an Italian stallion gallops in to blow my back out.” Karlie winks with a shrug.
All I can do is shake my head and laugh. Karlie might tell a joke, but she’ll never tell a lie. I love that she’s open and marches to the beat of her own drum.
“You never know. Luca has plenty of gorgeous guys around him.”
“Well, if you see any worth a damn, drop my name. Anyway, you look fabulous. Have a good time on your date,” Karlie says, getting up from where she was sitting on my bed.
“Thanks.” I smile.
“Oh, and drop your location so I know where you are. If you need a rescue, text me and I will call with a family emergency.”
“Girl, you are a mess. But I’ll definitely share my location.”
Before Karlie can respond, the doorbell rings, and I smile.
Luca insisted that he picked me up for the date.
At first, I didn’t want to tell him where I stayed, but then I remembered his driver dropped me off here.
So, he already knew where to find me. I guess I’m just paranoid because I know Ross has been looking for me.
Even Talia doesn’t know where I am, and she’s my closest friend.
“Looks like your stallion is here. Do everything I would do,” Karlie laughs as she heads out of the room.
She’s standing in the kitchen where she can see the front door when I open it.
Luca is standing there with a dozen red roses.
His hair is slicked back, and the faint shadow of a beard is lined to perfection.
Of course, he’s dressed in a fitted dress shirt and slacks. I’ve never seen him in anything else.
“These are for you. You look scrumptious.” Luca looks me up and down and licks his lips.
His lustful gaze has parts of me waking up that I swore were in a coma. There’s something about this man. The way he looks at me, his voice, his calm. Luca Dalonzo makes me want to…
Remember platonic friends, Mindy.