26. LUKE
Chapter 26
LUKE
Fucking Chase made me lose it. I was already on edge from his crap last night. Dele and I had a good night, despite Chase poking me. Then Lily woke me up this morning. I didn’t want to answer her call, but the non-stop calling was annoying. I decided to answer. I should have stepped onto the balcony, but I didn’t, and that was my mistake because I know Dele heard, though she pretended like she was asleep. I went for a run to clear my head, only to return and have Dele throw my own bullshit contract in my face.
In anger, I responded with, “What happens here stays here.” Not my smartest answer, because I seem to lose all control and sensibility around her. As I showered, I thought about my stepfather’s words:
Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to woo your wife. I figured all I needed to do was make the next few days count, so she wouldn’t question my feelings for her.
On our way down, I could tell she was doing everything to avoid touching me. I let it go. I decided to take a walk on the beach to strategize how to get through to her, only to see Chase from afar, sitting next to her. I fucking lost it. Chase and I never liked each other. His sister was the first girl I dated, which really upset him more. When she broke up with me, I didn’t argue or tell him she broke up with me. I just let him turn his anger toward me. The worst part was when a sex tape of her was leaked, and he thought I did it to spite her. On that, I told him it wasn’t me, but he didn’t believe me. Declan told me to let it go and avoid him. Which is what I’ve done most of our lives—and avoided dating since then. Now, I’m racing to protect Dele from him. I can tell he sees Dele as a tool to destroy me.
I went behind the cabana, then I heard Dele saying, “I mind, and I don’t like being touched by strange men,” and the asshole grabbed her thigh. The audacity.
I reacted fast and punched him. Not only was he stomping on my territory, but he’d also ogled her last night, and this same asshole called my brother the N-word. Time to let out all the bottled anger.
I tossed him once I felt some semblance of satisfaction. Idiotic Chase had the guts to say he would press charges; he better try it so I can have a good excuse to destroy him.
I rinse my face and wash my hands. I step out to find Dele looking lost.
She races into my arms; I pull her close to me.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” she mumbles.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. He’s an asshole. I’m sorry I left you alone.”
“I’m fine, and I’m glad you came back in time. I was reaching into my bag for my knife. I would have cut him.” I pull back to read her face with a widened look.
“You carry a knife around?” I ask quizzically.
“I work late hours, and sometimes old Jace won’t start, so I take a cab or walk home if Kai or Jax are unable to drop me off. After New York, I keep a knife close to me.”
I pull out of the hug and take her hand. She follows, and we head to the living room.