Chapter 39 Luca
LUCA
“I get it now,” Dad snickers as I walk into the house.
“Get what?”
“The fascination with her.”
The statement makes the blood in my veins run cold. Because I know he’s referring to Ivy, and I don’t want him anywhere near her. “Stay away from her.”
“That’ll be difficult because she’s coming over for dinner with her father.” He makes a show of looking at his watch. “They should be here momentarily. You’d better go get changed.”
It’s too late for me to leave this room because the doorbell chimes.
Micah shuffles down the stairs, fastening the cuff link on his sleeve before adjusting his tie. He knew about this. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he facilitated the entire thing.
Fuck. There’s no way this ends well.
Dad directs several staff members to make sure dinner is ready and will be served soon in the formal dining room. He looks at me again before the door is opened.
When I see her, I decide I’m not letting her out of my sight the entire time she’s here. This was all designed for a reason. And she’s the target.
She’s wearing heavy makeup, her hair in loose waves over her shoulder.
The emerald dress she’s wearing is short and tight, leaving nothing to the imagination as I take her in.
There’s no world where I wouldn’t get on my knees and beg just to touch her.
I want to bury my face in her hair, wrap her up, and keep her shielded.
But I can’t because all I can see is the way my father is invasively studying her body.
“Chad,” my father calls out like they’re best buddies as Ivy’s dad strides over.
“This is my son, Zachary. And you’ve met my daughter, Ivy.”
Dad extends his hand to Ivy. “You look stunning, dear.”
“It’s why I’m here,” Ivy replies with a flat, detached tone that I know all too well.
There’s a shift in Chad before he chuckles.
“We’re honored to be here. These must be your boys.
You weren’t lying when you said they were twins.
” Chad lingers on Micah and that’s when Ivy must notice my brother’s black-and-blue face.
Her eyes dart to my battered knuckles before her questioning gape asks if what she’s seeing is true. She already senses that it is.
“Yes, twins. But presently there’re some distinguishing marks. Boys will be boys. They got in a tussle over something insignificant.” The jab from Dad is for my benefit. He wants to degrade Ivy in front of me without her being aware.
Dad motions to my brother as he says, “This is Micah and that’s Luca.”
“Nice to meet you,” Chad extends his hand, and I want to punch the man as much as my own father. “You go to Belgrave, too, right? Have you two crossed paths?”
“Unfortunately,” Ivy responds.
“Now come on, Ivy. You know we’re your favorite part of the day,” Micah teases, making me want to rip his arm off and beat him to death with it.
She shouldn’t be here.
“Totally.” Her sarcasm is thick as I move closer to her, itching to grab her hand and pull her as far away from here as possible. The only problem is who would protect her from me.
“Luca, go get dressed. Dinner will be ready shortly.” Dad motions to my T-shirt and jeans.
It’s Chad who says, “Oh don’t get all dressed up on our account. Be comfortable and cozy. We’re just thankful to be here.”
I don’t need his permission. There was no chance of me leaving her here vulnerable in this snake pit.
“Very well. Let’s eat.” Dad leads us to the formal dining room where the table is set and ready. I stay next to Ivy and drop down in the chair beside her.
My father starts his interrogation. “So, Chad, we didn’t get to chat for long earlier today. What is it that you do?”
“I’m between careers right now,” Chad replies as I hear a soft chuckle from Ivy before her father asks mine, “What about you?”
“Family business. The Montclair enterprise goes back generations.”
“That’s the key. Find one thing you do well and stick with it.” Chad holds his glass up to toast.
The chatter between our fathers continues while Zachary scarfs down his food. Ivy doesn’t touch hers.
“What about you, Ivy? Any idea what career field you’re going into after high school?”
“No.” She takes a sip of her water; her gaze never leaves her plate.
“Are you not a fan of steak and shrimp?” Dad chuckles.
“Lost my appetite,” Ivy answers.
“Same.” I take the opportunity to bail. But she’s going with me. “Let me give you a tour of the house.” Basically, go anywhere but here.
Zachary asks, “May I be excused? Jayden has early access for—”
“Zachary,” Chad scolds as my father says, “Let the youngster go on and get away from us old folks. Thanks for joining us, Zach.”
My father doesn’t care if he’s here or not. Ivy is the one he needs for whatever he’s plotting. And he accomplished what he’s set out to do already—to show me he can get to her.
I entwine my fingers with hers, gripping tightly as I lead her upstairs. The only place we’re going is my bedroom. As soon as I close the door behind her, she asks, “What happened between you and Micah?”
“We got in a fight?”
Some of her feistiness returns when she says, “No shit.”
I move in front of her. “Why are you here?”
“I had no choice. Trust me.”
When I go to reach for her, she turns her face away from me. I push her hair off her shoulder, exposing her neck as she pulls away. But not before I see the marks on her skin. My fingers lightly graze the bruises before she turns her head to the side.
Hooking my finger under her chin, I make her look back at me before I search her face. It’s faint. Barely visible since it’s well concealed with makeup. But there’s a mark on her cheekbone.
My fingers slide into her hair, gripping securely to keep from putting my fists through the wall. “Who did this to you?”
Her mouth stays in a tight line.
Releasing her hair, I rub my thumb along her jawline. “I need to know.”
“It’s not your concern.” She tries to get away, but I stay in front of her. Someone hurt her, and I have to know who. “I’ll move when you give me a name.”
She shoves at my chest, her frustration growing. “I don’t need rescuing. And if I did, it wouldn’t be by you. So, stop trying to play the part. We both know you’re an ass.”
I brush my lips over hers. “I’m not the hero. I’m the villain, right? And it takes a monster to destroy a monster. So tell me who the fuck I’m ending right now.”
“I don’t want to.” Her arms cross over her chest, her hands grasping to her biceps as she looks away, her voice sounds weak as she says, “Just let me leave.”
She doesn’t want to be in this house any more than I wanted her here. “Was it your father?” He’s my prime suspect. And she doesn’t have to speak to confirm I’m correct, the faint wince in her shoulders just did. It was him. The son of a bitch has more to lose than he knows.
“Don’t, Luca.”
When I get to the dining room, it’s empty. But I don’t have to look but one other place because my dad is so fucking predictable. And sure enough, I find our fathers in my dad’s lounge with a bourbon in one hand and a cigar in the other. They are cut from the same cloth.
“Finally going to join me for a smoke?” Dad asks when he sees me.
“No.” I go straight to Chad and haul him to his feet by the lapels of his blazer. He stumbles to his feet, his tumbler hitting the floor as he maneuvers to drop his lit cigar on the ashtray nearby. “Did you really think you could put your hands on her and get away with it?”
My left fist sinks into his gut as my right goes to his throat, gripping tightly. Chad’s groan is cut off and his eyes widen, looking to my father who states flatly, “That’s enough, son.”
“Luca, don’t,” Ivy pleads, and my fingers tighten.
“Why not? He wanted a fight, so I’m bringing one to him.” I speak to Chad, “Or do you only put your hands on your daughter?”
He squeaks out, “It was a misunderstanding. Right, Ivy?”
“Don’t speak to her. Talk to me. I’m the one holding your fate in my hands,” I tell him.
Dad doesn’t lift a finger for Chad and only to take another puff from his cigar.
“If you ever touch her again, you’re dead.” I’ll kill every person on the face of this earth if it means keeping her safe and their hands off of her.
“I’m sorry,” he tells me.
There’s no excuse for the pain he caused her. “It’s not my forgiveness you need.”
Chad glances to his daughter and I debate if she’d hate me if I ended his life here and now as he babbles, “I’m so sorry I lost my temper, Ivy.”
“Next time, you won’t get the chance to apologize.” I finally release him, knowing that if I don’t, I’ll lose the ability to any second.
Dad flicks ashes off his cigar onto the floor, the corner of his mouth curled up. “You’ve punched two men today over her. She must be some lay.”
I hear Ivy’s gasp before she asks, “What is he talking about?”
Dad chuckles, “You didn’t tell her? He got into an altercation with his brother because of you. And now your father. Seems like you’re the common denominator. Don’t you think?”
Her eyes search mine as I stay silent. She doesn’t doubt my father’s words. She doubts me. She walks out, and I focus back on Chad, still wanting to put my fist through his skull as he says, “It won’t happened again.”
It’d better not, his existence depends on it.
As soon as I follow Ivy, I hear Dad proclaim, “My apologies for my son, he’s been all out of sorts lately. I’m thinking your daughter has something to do with it.”
She has everything to do with it. And he knew that before I punched her father. I should’ve decked mine too while I was at it. Three in one day would be even better.