40. Chapter 40 #4
“Isabella.” His gaze held mine for a moment before he extended his hand. “Luca Genovese.”
So this was Luca.
I placed my hand in his. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Genovese.”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“Luca. You’re family now.”
The words caught me off guard.
“Then it’s nice to finally meet you, Luca.”
“And you.”
He released my hand and regarded me with the same quiet certainty I’d seen in Nik, although Luca’s carried the weight of considerably more years.
“I heard Lachlan brought you in tonight. I wanted to meet you before he took you home.”
“I’m glad you did. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”
One dark brow lifted. “All good, I hope.”
“Enough to know how much Lachlan respects you. And what you mean to The Syndicate.”
Luca regarded me for a moment before giving a slight nod.
“Respect matters in our world. Trust matters more, and Lachlan has earned both from me.” His gaze held mine. “He’s also a private man. He doesn’t bring many people into the parts of his life that matter most to him.”
I stayed quiet, listening.
“But he brought you here. Into Xyst. Around the people he considers family.” Luca’s expression softened by the smallest degree. “That tells me quite a bit about where you stand with him.”
My heart gave an embarrassing little squeeze.
Luca slipped one hand into the inside pocket of his jacket.
When it emerged, a small devotional card rested between his fingers.
He held it toward me.
I accepted it and studied the image of a robed man I didn’t recognize.
“Saint Columba,” Luca said.
The name clicked immediately.
I looked up. “Lachlan told me about him.”
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
“I noticed the scar on his palm. He explained the blood oath and said you chose Saint Columba for him.”
Luca gave a small nod. “Good. Saves me from giving you the entire sermon.”
I smiled and looked back down at the card.
“The one he burned became part of his oath,” Luca said. “This one is for you.”
I ran my thumb lightly over the edge.
“Why?”
“Because I chose Columba for Lachlan before I knew where his life was going. But I don’t question the saints.”
I waited.
“Saint Columba was an Irish monk with a notorious temper who learned discipline the hard way and became a leader.” Luca’s mouth curved faintly. “At the time, Irish and bad temper seemed close enough.”
I laughed.
“He thought you did the same thing.”
“I’m sure he did.” Luca nodded toward the card in my hand. “But men sometimes grow into the meaning of these things better than we expect.”
His voice lost the slight humor.
“Lachlan has always had more control than people give him credit for. He knows when to hold the violence back and when to use it. More importantly, he knows what deserves protecting.”
I glanced down at Saint Columba again.
“When a man joins this family, traditions follow him,” Luca continued. “So does the family.”
My eyes lifted to his.
“Am I joining The Syndicate?”
“No.” His answer came with quiet amusement. “You’re doing something considerably more dangerous.”
“Oh?”
“Loving one of its men.”
I curled my fingers carefully around the card and nodded.
Luca stepped closer and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
When he pulled back, his hand briefly covered mine around the card.
“Welcome to the family, Isabella.”
For a second, I didn’t know what to say.
“Thank you.”
He nodded once, as though that settled everything.
The door at the back of the office opened, and Lachlan stepped in with my wrap folded over one forearm.
His attention went first to Luca, then to me, before settling on the card in my hand.
Understanding crossed his face.
“Christ.”
Luca smirked.
“It’s Saint Columba,” I said, holding up the card.
“I told her the story,” Luca explained.
Lachlan looked at me. “Oh really?”
“Enough of it.” Luca moved toward him. “I was welcoming her to the family.”
Something passed between the two men that I couldn’t quite read.
Lachlan shifted my wrap farther up his left forearm and held out his right hand.
Luca clasped it. Their grip was firm, and Lachlan brought his other hand briefly to Luca’s upper arm before they released each other.
Luca nodded once. “Take care of her.”
“Of course.”
Luca looked back at me. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Isabella.”
“It was an honor to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
He left, closing the door behind him.
I looked down at the card. “He welcomed me to the family.”
Lachlan came closer and took it from my fingers, studying it for a moment before handing it back.
“Aye. If Luca gave you that, it means he recognizes you as one of his own.”
“I liked him.”
“He’s a good man to have in your corner.” Lachlan’s mouth curved faintly. “Old-school as hell, but there’s a reason the rest of us respect him. So don’t get too comfortable with him.”
I slipped the card carefully into my phone case.
Lachlan watched me tuck it away, then leaned down and kissed me.
“Welcome to the family, Mouse.”
He lifted the wrap from his arm and settled it around my bare shoulders, drawing the edges together in front of me before smoothing his hands down my arms.
“Now let’s get you home.”