34. Lucas
CHAPTER 34
Lucas
" H ere we are." I pull my Maserati up the long palm-lined drive. My newest mansion looms before us, all white stucco and terra cotta tile and balconies overlooking the oak-studded hills. It's a far cry from the modest condo I called home just a few months ago.
Nora's blue eyes go wide as she steps out and takes it in. "My God, Lucas. This place is... incredible."
I shrug. "It's just a house." But I can't help feeling a swell of pride. King of my own castle.
Inside, her combat boots click across the terracotta tiled floors, echoing in the vast foyer with its wrought-iron chandelier. She reaches out to touch a stone column, then pulls back like it might crumble.
I'm about to give her the grand tour when I notice the wistful expression on her face. Her electric blue highlights seem to droop. "What's wrong, Nora? No te gusta? You don't like it?"
She sighs and meets my gaze. "No, it's not that. It's amazing, really. It's just... a lot, you know? Not exactly the Lucas I knew back in the hood."
I run a hand through my hair. Yeah, this place is a world away from my envisioned life. But what's wrong in indulging now that I've crossed a line I never intended to?
A lot about me has changed. But deep down, I'm still me. Still fighting for something better. For Serafina. For us. "Hey. I'm still here, Nora. Still the same asshole who watched your back all those years. No amount of money and Maseratis can change that."
She cracks a small smile at that. "I know. It's just... I hate to see you like this." She grabs one of my hands and touches my rough skin. "You fought so hard to stay away from this kind of life. We both did. And now, we're both about to be knee-deep in it."
"It's not too late for you to live a clean life," I squeeze my childhood best friend's hand to comfort her. She stares back at me, but resolution replaces her sadness this time.
"Nonsense. You've been there for me for every hardship, every fight, everything from the moment we met all those years ago. It's my turn to return the favor."
My thoughts drift to Serafina, out there somewhere, alone and scared. I had to send her away to keep her safe from the wolves at our door. But god, I miss her. Miss the smell of her hair, the warmth of her skin, the fire in her eyes when she looks at me. She's in the dark, probably confused as hell, wondering why I pushed her away.
But she's smart, my girl. My best men are looking out for her from a distance, and they told me that she burned her phone a few days ago. It's for the best, she's covering her tracks, staying low. It kills me, not being able to hold her, protect her myself. But this is the only way. The only way to keep her breathing until I can make things right.
Nora's voice cuts through my reverie. "Lucas... we need to bring her home. You can't keep her in the dark forever."
I sigh, rubbing my jaw. "Nora, we've been over this. It's too dangerous. The Fabiettis are all watching, waiting for me to slip up. I can't risk her life like that."
"And you think being alone, cut off from everyone she loves, that's good for her? Lucas, it's time."
Nora's words hit me like a sucker punch. She's right. Of course, she's right. Serafina's strong, but everyone has a breaking point. And I promised her, promised myself, that I'd never let her reach hers.
I lean back, mind racing. "Alright. Alright, let's... let's bring our girl home."