Chapter 28 Luca
LUCA
Principal Guidry sits across from us, her fingers tapping on the surface of her desk. “From what I gather, the incident started with the two of you.”
Neither Ivy nor I answer.
“Luca, I spoke with your father, and he agreed with my decision. One week suspension for you both since it’s not the first incident and we’re only a few weeks into the school year.”
There’s silence before Guidry continues, “We can’t have a third occurrence. Next time the consequences will be severe.”
“No, they won’t,” I interrupt her performance.
Her unease grows but she resumes, “Every student has to have accountability, or I can’t do my job. Luca, just try to stay out of trouble. For your sake and your father’s. He really worries about you and Micah.”
There’s a chuckle that flows through me internally. “Seems like you know my father well.” Like not at all. Or at least just what he wants her to think because the man doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.
Guidry looks to Ivy. “I know it’s been a rough couple of months, but we are here to support you. Don’t forget that.”
“Sure,” Ivy stands and walks out of the office.
I follow behind her as we head to the parking lot and notice food still in her hair. “I’m sure Daddy will be upset with you. Just tell him I started it.”
She spins on her heel, turning back to yell at me. “I don’t need shit from you. And if you keep on, I’ll make sure you lose what’s most precious to you. Mercy. That’s your weakness, and I will fucking exploit it if you don’t back the fuck off.”
I watch as she stomps down the hallway, knowing she would never do anything to jeopardize her little brother’s fate. And I realize that she’s dead wrong. Mercy isn’t the most precious thing to me anymore.
I’m still watching where she disappeared down the corridor when I hear my brother’s nagging voice. “Never thought I’d witness the day.”
Motherfucker. Micah caught me off-guard. It’s not like he used it for a great advantage, but I was in my head and didn’t even know he was nearby. I turn to face him, and sure enough, his stance against the locker is as cocky as I’d expected.
“And what day is that?”
“The day your obsession turned into you genuinely caring about someone other than yourself.”
I laugh. “Sounds like your usual bullshit logic to me.”
He waits a solid minute before he tells me, “You don’t need to admit it. We all have our weaknesses. Some are just more of a liability than others.”
The statement sends panic through me. “She doesn’t mean shit to me. The only weakness I have is boredom since I don’t have any real competition, even when they have Daddy in their corner.” I take a few steps closer until we’re face-to-face. “Can you say the same, Mickey?”
His posture changes, and I know I hit the nerve.
He trudges forward, his shoulder hitting mine.
“When I win, the first thing you’ll do is watch me celebrate.
” His smile grows as he continues, “She did say I’m the fun one after all.
I bet she’s a screamer. Only one way to find out.
And you will get to watch me give Ivy the fucking she desires. ”
The image of him over her plays out in my mind a little too real and easily. He doesn’t want her. He just wants to use her against me. I know it. But it doesn’t stop me from swinging. My fist comes up, knocking into his jaw as he staggers back.
To my surprise, he doesn’t retaliate. I’d thought he was looking for a fight, but he was looking for confirmation of what he already knew and what I don’t want to admit. Although I just did when I lost control.
Fuck.
She’s more than an obsession, she’s everything. And the one who will do anything to defeat me knows it. There’s no hiding now.
“If you touch her, I’ll kill you.”
His mouth stretches into a smile as he swipes the blood from his chin. “I won’t have to touch her. She’s going to come to me, and I won’t have to lift a finger. Who would’ve thought a pussy would’ve been the great Luca Montclair’s undoing.”
It’s too late. I’ve lost my temper, so I don’t restrain the urge to grab him. When I shove his back against the locker, he just laughs again. “You should know better than anyone. Which is why I made sure your bitch is on your team.”
The cockiness fades enough to confirm that I also have some intel on what—or more like who—is his fixation.
He might not be gone to the level I am. But I saw his face when she was dangling near the ledge of the roller coaster.
He looked like he was ready to jump off if it meant saving her.
And he’s as selfish of a bastard as me, so I know there’s something there.
Maybe I can see that now because I finally feel it too.
“Weaknesses only cause damage if they’re exploited. So, keep in mind: everything you do to mine, I’ll be sure to return tenfold to yours. And we’ll see who comes out on top.”
Micah shakes his head as he walks away. “Looks like Mercy will be interesting this year.”