Chapter 41 #2
“But wait . . .” My eyes widen as the meaning of their words sinks in. “Does that mean we don’t have to leave yet?”
The corners of Sophia’s mouth lift a little. “Yes. I talked to Mr. Crow, and he’ll be issuing a statement later today after the convention’s over. We can stay as long as there’s no proof to corroborate the allegations.”
I sigh with relief, which makes me cough again—but less than before. “So we still have a chance? Maybe he doesn’t have any proof to show!”
Sophia tilts her head back and forth. “I hope so. Mr. Crow has made it clear that he wants to have all of this sorted out before the awards ceremony. That means Hank has until tomorrow morning to deliver something.” She takes a deep breath.
“And so do we. My solicitor said he’d call me back tonight.
Maybe we’ll make it out of this tight spot. I’ll certainly give it my all.”
Nat crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Good. I don’t want him to win. And if we get kicked out, I’ll make sure Akito or Maeve win.”
“You’re unbelievable,” Sophia tells her with a quiet laugh.
“And if it doesn’t work out this time, it will next time. Or the time after that.”
“Hank is going to retire eventually,” I say, agreeing with Nataly.
“Exactly!” She punches the air. “Retirement, capitalism’s version of cancel culture!”
Sophia looks back and forth between Nat and me, shaking her head. “I don’t deserve you lot. But before you start a rally here: There’s someone impatiently waiting for you.”
Nataly gives me a mischievous grin. “He was pretty cute. And have you seen his abs?”
“Er, no. Flames, smoke, shock, you know,” I remind her.
“True, there was that. Ah, what a shame, he’s put his shirt back on.” She grins, and I could fling my arms around her neck again. Her and Sophia. Because they’re treating me normally. They always have. They like me for who I am.
My gaze wanders over to where Luca is standing. I didn’t believe him, back at that bar. But what if it’s the same for him? What if he’s one of those people like Nat, Aria, and Sophia, who can see with their hearts? With eyes unclouded by hate.
“Who knows,” Nat continues. “Maybe you’ll still get a chance to see his abs. Or more. We have a few more hours left . . .”
“Nataly, we are leaving. Now.” Sophia rolls her eyes and links her arm with Nat’s.
Nat lets our boss tug her away, laughing.
I don’t even watch them go. My gaze is involuntarily drawn to Luca, my feet moving closer to him without a conscious thought.
When I reach him, I have no words, but I don’t need them.
He pulls me tight against his chest.
It’s like Nat and Sophia before, yet so different.
It’s like he’s forming a wall with his body to shield me from everything and everyone.
I press my face into his T-shirt, which smells of smoke.
The smell should throw me back in time and space, the way it always does.
But underneath, there he is. His safe, warm scent.
His heart beats steadily against my ear, and for a moment, I allow my eyes to close and for myself to just be held.
His chin rests on top of my head, and I’m sure that if the ground opened up beneath us and swallowed up the entire world, he’d still hold me.
“You’re all right? Everything’s OK?”
The worry in his voice wakes an ache in my chest, and I nod quickly. I can feel his sigh of relief against my body.
“Thank God.”
“I’d rather thank you.” I look up at him, and he loosens his grip on me. The look on his face has got me breathless, making me stumble over my own words. There’s so much in those dark-brown eyes. Worry, yes. But something deeper too, something more intense. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”
“Of course.” He says the words like they’re self-evident. A snap. He runs a gentle thumb over my cheek before hurriedly dropping his hand to his side. “I was so worried for you.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to leave. I really did. Do you know those films where characters stand around numbly instead of running to safety? Where you want to yell at the screen because the solution seems so obvious? That was me.”
“Yeah, but you can’t see what’s going on inside people in those scenes. You did nothing wrong, so please, don’t apologize.”
“Neither did you, back then,” I reply, and Luca sighs.
“Yeah, maybe.” His gaze turns serious. “I’m so sorry. For everything. For what happened, and for how it happened. I knew Hank could be tough, but I’ve never seen him like this before. Had I known what he was planning . . .”
“It’s OK.”
Luca’s eyes widen in surprise. “What?”
“I mean . . . this whole situation is less than OK; it’s still rubbish.
But I’m not angry at you. Not anymore.” I chuckle, which seems to confuse Luca even more than my words.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned today, apart from what a cable fire is, it’s that our bosses can have secrets from us too. ”
Luca gives me a tortured smile. No wonder—he still doesn’t know what I know. He only knows Hank’s side of the story. “What are your plans now? Home to London?”
“No, I’m staying. Traveling is out of the question right now anyway; I was told to rest in bed.” I hesitate, and then I take a small step closer. He frowns at me like everything I’m doing right now is just confusing him further. “But there was no word of having to be alone in my bed.”
Luca raises an eyebrow. “Is this an invitation?”
“Would you spend the night? Not . . .” I clear my throat. “Not like that. But I have some things to tell you.”
Luca doesn’t say anything, but when he pulls me in again, I can hear his heart beating faster, and that’s enough of an answer for me.