Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I remember the scandal. A group of hackers stole the data from a tech company and used it for profit.”
“The Serpents orchestrated the data breach.”
My jaw dropped, shocked by his admission. “What does this have to do with Aiden and his art?”
“Their art symbolizes the fall of governments, companies, and the corruptness of the world. If you look closely at their pieces, they reflect the real world but with a Greek mythology influence. You, of all people, should see the true meaning. They’re engaged in economic and industrial espionage. People hire them to take down companies, create scandals, influence the price of stocks, and the list goes on.”
I lifted a curious eyebrow. “Have you?”
He bobbed his head. “I do what’s necessary to survive in this world.”
“Why would Aiden want to be a part of their group?”
“For such a smart woman, you miss so many things.” He kissed my cheek and smirked. “When did your brother get into street art?”
“Our last year of high school.”
“Do you remember the first piece he created to gain the attention of The Serpents, the one he painted on the back of City Hall in Haven?”
“Yeah. Pops had to use every connection to get him out of trouble.”
“He’s always been an activist, whether political, social, or economic. That’s why your brother chose street art over contemporary. It’s the reason he paints walls in public places instead of canvases. He wants people to see what they are doing to the world.”
A chill rolled down my arms. “How did I miss this? He was always outspoken and a rule-breaker, never thought twice about getting into trouble to get a message across. But I never thought he would want to be a part of something like…”
“Like my world?”
“Yes, exactly. He was so insistent on me not getting involved with you. And yet, he had no problem following me to Devil’s Creek. Aiden wouldn’t stop pursuing The Serpents.”
“The night he jumped from the cliff,” Luca said as he shoved a curl behind my ear, “Aiden was meeting The Serpents on the other side of the bay. He was running late from a job. They wanted him to use the parachute, so there wouldn’t be any tire tracks. It was the middle of the night. Only people with our view of the bay could see him. But the parachute was faulty. He was lucky I saw him hit the beach, or he would have died.”
“I had the right to know my brother was alive and in a coma.”
“Baby, you were out of your mind.” He brushed my cheek with his fingers. “You didn’t even recognize me the night you stabbed me. And the night Aiden fell, you were so far gone not even Sonny or Marcello could reach you. It was like your brain had reset to your childhood.”
“I didn’t forget you,” I shot back. “I spent nine straight months in Haven hating you, wishing you were dead.”
He nodded. “I know, baby. But that was because your brain hadn’t healed from the trauma. That’s why I brought you back to Devil’s Creek. You needed to get better.”
“You could have told me Aiden was alive after I moved back here.”
“No, that’s not how this works. Aiden agreed to become a Knight.”
“So,” I shot back.
“We didn’t want to keep this from you. I thought it was better this way.”
I placed my hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat.
Luca's hand covered mine, and a smirk tugged at his mouth. “You said you love me when you thought I was sleeping.”
I pressed my lips together. “It’s true. I love you, Luca.”
Luca slipped his fingers through my curls as his eyes met mine. “I loved my mom more than anything. And when I lost her… I never thought I would feel that way again. Ten years later, you wandered into my bedroom and changed my life. I thought I would spend the rest of my miserable life without caring about anything until I met you.” He kissed me. “I love you, Drea. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. I was so afraid of my feelings that I pushed you away. I hated my feelings for you. I thought they made me weak and reckless.”
“Love is unpredictable. You can’t control it or contain it.”
“Show me how much you love me.” Luca moved me on top of him, careful not to touch the worst of my bruises. “Ride my cock, baby girl.”
Straddling his thighs, I fisted his cock through the slit in his briefs and shoved my panties to the side. I gave him a few strokes, and Luca groaned, his eyes meeting mine as I lifted my hips. His hand fell to my waist, fingers digging into my skin. I took all of him in one swift thrust, and my eyes slammed shut from how quickly he filled me.