CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EDEN
My hand sweeps across the bed, and a frown forms as I search for Luca. Cool sheets meet my fingers rather than his muscular warmth. Sitting up, I squint into the darkness, foggy sleep replaced by curiosity.
Where is he?
After leaving in the middle of the night to save those trafficked women without telling me, Luca has been better about letting me know when he has to duck out of our bed for business—even if it’s a brief whisper and kiss before I fall back to sleep again.
The small lamp on the nightstand flicks on with a flip of a switch, but the sudden illumination shows an empty room, not my missing husband lurking in the dark. I check my phone for any messages, but there’s nothing from Luca.
Biting my lip, I consider my options. Go back to sleep and wait for his return, or try to find him. Knowing I’ll toss and turn for hours worrying about him, I choose the latter.
The bedroom door opens silently as the grandfather clock downstairs signals the hour. Two low drones. 2:00 A.M. Shadows creep over the hallway and walls, creaks and groans create a spooky soundtrack while the old manor settles for the night.
Those original gothic imaginings from a few months ago play in my mind again.
“I swear if I see a ghost…” I mutter to myself while carefully following the dark wood staircase down to the ground level. Rugs and carpet runners cushion my steps as I peek into the study, game room, and kitchen.
No Luca.
Hearing the faint splash of water, I follow a back hallway deeper into the manor. This is where the professional gym setup is located, along with an indoor pool and hot tub. There’s also an outdoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a guesthouse on the grounds.
All the amenities rich and reclusive men with avenging agendas need , I think with a flash of amusement.
Humidity hits me in the face the moment I step into the indoor pool atrium.
With the chilly autumn weather outside a wall of windows, the gigantic pool is kept heated to combat the cold, and the immediate production of sweat on my skin attests to its strength.
Shrugging out of the robe I donned to cover up my flimsy nightgown, the silky material tumbles into a puddle on a nearby table as my gaze traces the smooth movements disrupting the pool of aqua before me.
Sleek arms cut through the water as Luca swims laps. I've heard Mathias and Rafe tease him about being part fish since he swims so much, but this is the first time I've seen Luca's obsession in person.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I sit in one of the white loungers surrounding the pool and watch his controlled strokes in awe. He’s mesmerizing, and it’s no wonder swimming is his escape. The rhythmic slice and kick of his body is enough to lower my blood pressure as a mere observer.
"Eden?" Luca emerges at the end of the pool and slicks his wet hair out of his eyes. He crosses his arms on the concrete ledge and glances up at me. "Why aren't you sleeping upstairs, baby?"
I hungrily devour the handsome picture he makes. Wet and gleaming. Muscles flexing.
Athletes have never been my type. Too cocky. Too intimidating. But I can't help but admire Luca's swimmer's build. It's bulkier than the ideal but those shoulders? Broad. Strong. And all mine.
"I could ask you the same thing," I say, clearing my throat and discreetly swiping at my pool for any rogue spots of drool.
"Swimming calms my mind."
"And what was on your mind? Your half-brother? That warehouse fire I overheard Mathias and Jonah talking about? Your dad or my parents?" The list could go on, and I grimace at all the... bullshit we've dealt with lately.
No wonder he needs an outlet to relax.
“Actually, I was thinking about what you said earlier. About letting go of this plan for revenge,” he admits.
“Really?”
He rests his chin on his forearms and grunts in confirmation. “Yeah… I’m not sure I would have been opened to the suggestion before meeting you. I want you safe, and our current trajectory doesn’t lend itself toward peace. Then, there’s my dad.” He sighs, a far off look entering his blue eyes.
“What about him?” I leave the lounger and settle beside him on the concrete ledge, dangling my bare feet in the pool. Luca shifts to float between my spread legs and circles my waist with his wet arms. My thin nightgown is soaked, but I don’t mind, running my fingers through his slicked back hair.
“I don’t know.” Another afflicted exhale.
His shoulders tense, and automatically, I begin massaging the hard muscles.
“His whole demeanor lately. Welcoming me back with open arms. Giving me a family heirloom of my mom’s.
I never would have expected him to keep those.
It’s like I get glimpses of my Papà before Conrad and The Syndicate. Before he abandoned me.”
“And you’re wondering if there’s a relationship worth saving. If you can forgive him for the past?”
“I guess so.” He’s quiet for a moment. “Then I remember how he hired someone to kill me in Paris, and it all goes out the window. I mean what kind of game is he playing where he acts like I’m a beloved son but also secretly wants me dead?”
I understand his frustration. My parents aren’t the most demonstrative of people, but at least I know they love me in their own way. They’d never hire people to kill me. Their top concern is always safety.
“This is going to sound crazy, but have you thought about asking Enzo about that drive-by in Paris? I mean it’s an open secret between you guys how there’s resentment towards him and The Syndicate. Maybe laying everything out on the table will help you both move forward.”
“You want me to ask my dad why he tried to have me killed.” A lopsided grin blinks up at me.
“I told you it would sound crazy, but we’re not exactly living in your run-of-the-mill world. Maybe Enzo would appreciate you taking the lead to get answers.”
“Maybe… Or he’ll pull a gun on me right there once he realizes his long game is ruined.”
“Always so optimistic,” I say sarcastically.
“Don’t you know me by now, Butterfly? I’m a ray of fucking sunshine.”
A surge of laughter bounces off the walls before it's cut off by a yelp of surprise. Luca’s grip on my body tightens as he pushes away from the wall and tumbles me into the water.
“Luca!” My hand slaps his chest as I splutter to the pool surface. We’re on the deep end, which means my feet can’t reach the bottom and I’m reliant on him to stay afloat.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. You were too much of a temptation sitting there all pretty and too dry for my liking.”
“That’s because I didn’t come for a swim. I came to get you to come back to bed,” I grumble.
“In a minute. For now, I want to recreate our time in Italy, where we just floated together on the sea. No worries. Nothing but you and me.”
My ire softens at the sentiment. Luca can be so romantic sometimes. When he’s not being filthy as fuck .
Expelling a breath of resignation, I loosen my hold on him and let him do the work of keeping us above water. “Fine, but you might have to carry me up to our room. I could probably fall asleep like this.”
Warm water. An even hotter man cradling me in his arms.
It’s a recipe for relaxation.
“I’ve got you, baby.” A kiss to my forehead. “I’ve got you.”