16. Luca
CHAPTER 16
LUCA
I sat back in my chair, my finger hovering over the button to shut off the security feed, but I couldn’t bring myself to hit it, even if this was probably the most toxic behavior.
Maverick had given us a heads-up about what had happened at Brooks and Diego’s place. He’d also sent some guys there to clean it up and see what they could salvage. Skye met them in the front hallway and immediately embraced Brooks, who gave him a shaky smile. He looked a little dazed, and since Mav had said they were going to do an impromptu scene, I understood why.
I should’ve been out there with Skye, checking on my guys and getting an update, but I didn’t leave my office. I had been avoiding Brooks and, well, everyone, for days now. The conversation with Wes was running in my head on repeat. I knew I had choices to make and couldn’t hide out forever, but I’d be damned if I could figure out what to do. Who had Wes been kidding? I really was fucking pathetic.
I should talk to Brooks, but I wasn’t sure if he’d appreciate me being there. I needed to prove myself, and that would be best to do when he was in a better headspace and could make rational decisions.
That was what I told myself, and why I’d been holed up in my office, watching everything from security cameras. Skye and Maverick brought Brooks to Diego, and the brothers talked, cried, raged, and eventually hugged. They then made the decision to tell their parents what was going on. I thought it was a good call. At the very least, Dave and Emma would know to stay away for now for their safety.
I almost turned off the feed during their conversation. It wasn’t my business, but I apparently had no shame anymore and listened in, then continued to watch as Diego worked for hours until Brooks forced him to take his meds. Brooks sat with him until he passed out and then wandered until he found Skye and Maverick in the entertainment room.
After Brooks cuddled my two men, snug in multiple blankets and their broad, strong arms, they turned on a movie until Brooks finally fell asleep between them. I never left my chair.
I wasn’t feeling jealousy, exactly. It was more longing. I wanted to be there. I yearned to be the one that Brooks took comfort in, but I didn’t know how to take that step. I didn’t know how to right my wrongs. I wasn’t sure it was even possible. Maybe I should just leave it to Skye and Maverick? It wouldn’t affect our relationship; we were stronger than that. They could give Brooks everything he needed without breaking his heart. I’d probably only ruin things.
Fuck.
I mashed the button, shutting off the feed, and all but jumped out of my chair. What the hell was I doing? This wasn’t healthy. At the very least, I had a job to do, and I’d been shit at doing it. Things were only getting worse, and here I was, wallowing away, participating in the most toxic bullshit.
I had to get out of this office. Take a shower. Get something to eat. Then go talk to my men. That had to have been hard on Maverick too, and I wanted to make sure he was okay. I was sure Skye had taken care of him, but still. He was my man too, and that was what we did. Then, tomorrow morning, I’d talk to Brooks. I couldn’t let it go any longer. I had no idea where we would go from here, but I was done taking the coward’s way out. We needed to find a way forward, and it was up to me to take that first step.
I was just about to leave my office and implement my plan, when my phone rang.
It was my work cell, not my personal one, and I didn’t recognize the number on it.
“Luca Castellano,” I answered, immediately in professional mode.
At first, there was nothing, just some rustling, and then a voice finally came on the line. “Mr. Castellano?”
He sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place why.
“This is him. Who’s speaking?”
“Mr. Castellano, my name is Jackson Santiago. I’m the executive assistant to Lewis Covington.”
My body froze while my mind started to go in a million different directions. Why would Lewis’s assistant be calling me?
I immediately walked to my desk and grabbed my personal phone, sending a text to Maverick and Skye. They were asleep in the entertainment room, but they would hear it. They always did.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Santiago?” I pulled up my computer and put the name in. Sure enough, he showed up on the employee page as the contact to reach Lewis Covington.
“I’m calling on behalf of my employer. I apologize for the later hour, but as I’m sure you’re aware, we are extremely busy.”
I was glad I wasn’t on video chat because I couldn’t stop the eye roll. “I understand. Though, I’m not sure as to what business I could have with Mr. Covington. I’m not in pharmaceuticals.”
“No, he is aware, sir. But Mr. Covington could use some help with a . . . delicate matter. He was told you are the person to talk to for that.”
“I’m not sure where Mr. Covington heard that, but I don’t know what kind of assistance I can give him without more information.”
“Yes, I understand, but as you can imagine, Mr. Covington isn’t comfortable sharing certain private information over the phone, so he is requesting a meeting with you.”
I frowned at my computer screen. What the fuck? “I’m not in the habit of taking a business meeting without at least having an idea of what it’s about. Your employer isn’t the only one who is busy.”
“Yes, I imagine,” Jackson replied stiffly, finally losing his infuriatingly professional demeanor. “But we would greatly appreciate if you were willing to make an exception in this case. It’s a matter of extreme importance, and Mr. Covington would make it worth your while.”
I laughed. Was this guy for real? Did he know who he was talking to? “Well, clearly you didn’t do your due diligence on me before this phone call, Mr. Santiago. Otherwise, you would know that ploy won’t work on me.”
Jackson was silent for a moment. There was a knock on my door and Maverick walked in. “Skye stayed with Brooks,” he mouthed, and I gave him a nod in acknowledgement.
“I apologize, Mr. Castellano. I did not mean offense. In any case, my employer would greatly appreciate if you would take a meeting with him so he could explain the situation in person. After that, the decision is completely yours.”
This was one of those times when I was extremely grateful for my upbringing and how my father and grandfather had forced me to sit in on business meetings since I’d been 8 years old. I knew how to deal with these smarmy assholes.
I glanced at Mav, having a silent conversation. Obviously, we were taking the meeting. There was a huge chance it was a trap, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity. Whatever he planned to tell us, it would be worth the risk to find out.
I pretended to mull it over for a while before finally agreeing. “Alright. We will take the meeting. I will have my business partners with me, and we will meet in a neutral location of my choosing.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “That is acceptable. Are you available to meet tomorrow at, say, 11 am?” A day meeting? That was unexpected.
“Yes, that would be fine.”
“Great, thank you, Mr. Castellano. If you could just forward me the details on the location, my employer will be there.”
We said our farewells and hung up. I looked at Maverick, who was already on the computer, booking a spot for us.
I came behind him and hugged him. He grunted but pushed back into my hold. I kissed his neck. “What are you thinking?”
“That you’re going to get me hard again, and I don’t think I have another orgasm in me today.”
I laughed unexpectedly and nipped at his ear. “That’s not what I meant, though I do want details later. About Covington.”
Maverick shrugged. “I give it 50/50 that it’s a trap, but it was the right call to take the meeting.”
I nodded, relieved that he agreed with me. I’d been unbalanced since Brooks had shown back up in my life, and having one of the people I trusted more than myself confirm my actions went a long way to soothing my somewhat shattered psyche.
“You’ll be there, right?”
Maverick glared. “Obviously, Luc. Where you go, I go.”
He kissed me, and for a moment, every other trouble went away and all that mattered was Maverick’s lips on mine.