Chapter 2
Perry
I should probably be nervous to be alone with this stranger, but something about Luca makes me feel safe—which is a foreign concept to me because it’s been forever since I felt safe or cared for.
Growing up the way I did meant I learned not to trust anyone outside the family. My parents worked as low-level employees for the Bianchi crime family. My mom was a maid and worked for Don Gio, the head of the family, and my dad was his driver.
They were trusted employees, which meant I was always half in that world and half out.
I always wanted to be out. I had no desire to live that way, following their hierarchy and always having to look over my shoulder.
I wanted a quiet life, a normal life. My move to Wolf Valley was supposed to be a fresh start, but so far, it’s been hard to let go of my old fears.
I keep looking over my shoulder to make sure no one followed me. I’m sure no one from the Bianchi family cares that I’m gone. Even my own parents don’t seem bothered that I left.
But it’s not them that I’m worried about. Bryan Marchessi is the problem.
He took an uncomfortable liking to me over the past few months, always showing up where I worked and chatting me up, but I wasn’t interested. Bryan is an insufferable wannabe mobster, who’ll never achieve real power.
Unfortunately for me, he can’t seem to let me go. He fancies himself in love with me, but I know better. His fragile ego can’t take rejection. And now he’s texting and calling me, threatening to drag me back if I don’t come home.
I glance at Luca. My instincts tell me he could keep me safe.
The thought hits me out of nowhere, and I step back from the scarred man as he finishes replacing my spare tire. He wears a perpetual frown, and I wonder what he’d look like if he smiled. Probably even more handsome than he already is.
His biceps flex as he tightens the final bolt on the tire. I swallow hard as my body heats and my core clenches, staring at his thick thighs and the ripple of his muscles beneath his shirt.
I haven’t seen him around town. I’m sure I would have remembered him. Although that’s not saying much since I’ve only been in town for about a week and a half.
I think I could like living in Wolf Valley. It’s a small town and is off the map enough that I hope no one will find me here.
“All set,” Luca says, pushing to his feet and brushing his hands off on his dark jeans.
I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. It would have taken me an hour to do that.”
“No problem.” He lifts the old tire easily and sets it in my trunk.
I reach past him to close the trunk. I don’t want to leave this man, but we can’t stand on the side of the road all day.
I’m sure Luca isn’t interested in me. I mean, he’s ripped and looks like he could bench press one of the trees surrounding us.
Meanwhile, I’ve always been chubby and a bit of a wallflower.
My mom told me once that I looked like the printer had run out of ink when I was born.
I’m all pale skin, light blue eyes, and white-blonde hair.
Luca doesn’t want me. He’s just a good guy who stopped to help a damsel in distress. Forget about this stupid crush and say goodbye.
“Are you going far?” Luca asks.
“Why?” I ask, backing up a step.
What if he’s with Bryan? What if he made the hole in my tire or set this up? Shit!
I glance around the empty road, my heart pounding as my situation fully sinks in.
“Because you won’t be able to get far on this spare tire. Not on these back roads,” Luca says, nodding at the tire.
I let out a whoosh of air, my body sagging as I realize he’s just worried about me and not one of the bad guys.
“Oh, yeah, I’m not going far. Just into town. I’ll get it fixed today,” I lie.
The truth is that I don’t have the money to pay for new tires right now.
Luca gives me a hard look, and I shift nervously on my feet. I swear he knows I’m lying.
“Uh—”
I’m cut off as another car approaches. My gaze locks onto the shiny black sedan, and my heart climbs into my throat.
I curl my fingers into my sweaty palms as the car slows, my breath stalling in my lungs as the car gets closer.
I can’t move or look away, even though my head is screaming at me to hide.
It’s him. He’s found me. He’s going to—
One second, I’m staring at the car and the next Luca is standing directly in front of me, blocking me from the view of whoever is driving past.
I’m so damn grateful to the grumpy giant that I could hug him. I love that he seems to be able to read my mood and stepped in to help me again.
I’m too embarrassed to meet his eyes as the car finally passes. What must he think of me? I haven’t exactly been playing it smooth with him.
“Thanks again,” I mumble, sidestepping past him and speed walking to the driver’s door.
I force myself not to look back as I start the car and drive the back roads toward town. I’ve been taking a different route to the motel each day, hoping to spot anyone who might be following me.
Finally, I park outside my motel room, scanning the parking lot as I climb out and go up to my room.
I swear I can feel eyes on me as I climb the stairs and unlock my door, but when I look around, I don’t see anyone.
I shake off the uneasy sensation, closing the door behind me and flipping the lock.