Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Peter never talked to me about that incident. I thought I’d hidden my drinking from him. I guess I wasn’t as good a liar as I thought I was.
Either way, that bad habit went away when Peter started going to AA meetings and locking up the drinks cabinet.
I really thought nobody knew.
“Not everybody else,” Luca says matter-of-factly. “Just you.”
Ouch.
I’m glad the light is so dim in here, otherwise Luca might see my cheeks flushing red.
“So you’ve been spying on me?” I ask, trying to drag him down with me. Look at yourself; you’ve done something wrong, too! I want to yell at him.
“I’ve been monitoring you,” he says calmly, with no remorse.
I wonder if he’s seen the romance novels I read, or the kinky porn websites I subscribe to.
But what does it matter? Luca already knows how broken I really am inside.
“That’s how you knew where to find me. You knew my identity.” I found it hot when I knew PuppetMaster was stalking me, but this is not the sexy situation I hoped it would be.
“You were going to tell any guy who said the right things where to find you anyway,” Luca says with just a hint of anger.
“How did you know I wasn’t just posting for fun?” I ask.
“I didn’t,” he admits, shadows shifting in the dark with every syllable he utters. “But I had a feeling you might do something like this.” Luca pauses. “I remember when you sought me out for a tattoo and a one-night stand. I remember your grandmother had just died.”
It’s not a question. Luca knows he’s right, and I do, too. He’s got me figured out.
How does he do that? What has Peter been telling him?
Oh, God. Did Peter know about my dark cravings?
“So, what do you want?” I ask. It doesn’t matter whether I really am addicted to anything, but I don’t have to sit here and listen to this.
“I want you to live with me until I’m convinced you can behave in a sane and responsible way on your own,” Luca says in a practiced tone. It’s probably something he’s quoting from some book on addiction.
“Luca, I’m telling you, I’m not addicted. I don’t do this often, I swear.”
“I know. You only do this when you’re upset,” he says, again guessing correctly. “But it only takes one mistake. One bad guy. I could’ve murdered you. Hit you over the head and drowned your corpse in the lake.”
“Fuck, Luca. Do you have to be so morbid?” I pretend like the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.
“I just want you to understand how dangerous this is. You’re playing with fire. This is exactly the kind of risky behavior that’s fueled by an addiction, which can flare up during stressful times,” he says.
“What textbook are you quoting from?” I ask sarcastically.
“Sarah, this is serious,” Luca says as he leans forward, propping his elbows on his thighs and leveling his penetrating gaze at me. “You should live with me, at least temporarily. It’s for your own good. It’s what your brother would’ve wanted.”
My eyes prickle as they grow wet. Damn it. He can’t bring my brother into this. It’s not fair.
“It’s late tonight, and I’m sure you’re tired,” Luca says. “You can sleep here. I’ll take you back to the clinic in the morning. I’ll pick you up after work. Pack some clothes.”
He’s being really bossy right now. Next thing I know, he’ll be telling me what colors to wear and what toiletries to use.
“Yeah, okay.” I don’t see any other choice here, especially if this is what Peter would’ve wanted for me. I add, “But only for one month.”
“You’ll stay for as long as it takes for you to deal with your grief in a healthy way.”
Ugh. Bossy. But I’ll have to admit it’s kind of hot that he’s calling the shots.
“Fine.” When I blink, two drops of tears escape my eyes and roll down my cheeks
As soon as the word leaves my mouth, Luca gets up off his chair.
“Where are you going?” I ask, sniffling as I watch him rush to the door.
“My room. Next door,” Luca says right before he disappears and the door shuts behind him.
I almost roll my eyes. Men. The sight of my tears probably made him uncomfortable.
Luca
My legs are long. But as I rush down the hotel hallway, it doesn’t feel like they’re taking me away from Sarah as fast as I want them to.
I told her I was going to my own room.
Real talk? I don’t actually have one.
But I will as soon as I get to the front reception desk and swipe my credit card.
I don’t know why I ever thought I could sleep in the same room as Sarah and not lay a hand on her. I thought I could just spend the night on the couch—it was going to be a tight fit, but I was going to be able to watch her all night.