Chapter 143: Dark Time
- RAYA -
How in the world is Dex going to use "avocado" naturally in conversation today? That’s the one thing on my mind when Rory, dad, and I are standing together in the funeral chapel.
There are so many people here. Dex got pulled away as soon as we arrived.
Dex and I haven’t discussed how open we’re going to be about our relationship, so that’s another thing prickling anxiously under my skin. I didn’t want to bring it up or question him about it ahead of the funeral, because it’s not important right now.
I’ve already decided that Dex can avoid me today or keep me glued to his side, and I’m not going to worry about it either way. He’s dealing with his father’s death and all kinds of difficult feelings about his brother, so I’m not going to add to all of that by making him wonder how appropriate it is to be seen with me.
Dex can do what comes naturally to him where I’m concerned, and I’ll just follow his lead. But that also means I’m not sure if I should follow him when he wanders off—unless he says "avocado" first, that is. I’m not sure how attentive to be if he looks like he needs comfort. What I do know is that there’s no way in hell I’m letting someone like Grace, who I’ve already spotted here in all of her breathtaking visual appeal, take up that role.
When it comes to work, Dex and I have been riding together since he insisted on not missing any days with both Lawson and his father now being absent. But he stayed in his office every day while everyone pretty much left him alone. Occasionally he would call me in under the guise of assistant duties, and I would sit with him.
If anyone at work suspected that we are together, they didn’t mention it—not even Laurel. That could just be out of respect for Dex in the wake of Mr. Mobius’ death.
But today is much different. Today everyone who knows the Mobius family and has connections with Dex or Jansen or Lawson or Mobius Media... they’re all here. That must be why this funeral chapel was chosen. It’s massive with many spacious rooms. It would look even bigger if they removed some of the thick, heavy curtains that are draped over every window.
"I don’t understand the interior decorating of funeral homes," I mumble to Rory and Dad. "If it were up to me, the windows would be open with light shining in and happy green plants everywhere. Why is it necessary to make everything so dark and claustrophobic?"
This is bringing back memories of when Nana passed and the walls of my heart felt like they were caving in. I’m trying not to think about it too much, but it’s inevitable. The place was much smaller, but it had the same dreary decor.
"It’s a dark time in people’s lives," Rory says. Like I don’t know that.
"Doesn’t the atmosphere just make it worse, though?"
"I understand what you’re saying, Auraya. But not everyone wants to be uplifted. Sometimes facing something as bright as the sun is difficult," Dad says. "You know the song ’Paint it Black’ by the Rolling Stones?"
"Yeah, I guess you’re right. Honestly, I think black would be better than taupe though. They could take a clue from that song."
Rory chuckles softly.
"Where is the reception being held?" Dad asks, his eyes wandering over the increasing crowd of people milling about quietly.
"The country club they belong to," I tell him.
In terms of hearing Dex’s code word, I’m hoping that will at least be the place where it happens. I don’t know where in the world we would find privacy here.
Does Dex know what he’s done to me by creating the anticipation of this game? It’s all I’m going to be thinking about today. And I’m certain I will never be able to think of avocados the same. What is it with him and avocados anyway? They might be good on toast, but this is weird.
"Are you okay?" Rory asks next to me with an arched brow.
"What? Why?"
"You’re fidgeting a lot and blushing."
"Stop looking at me then. Why are you worried about it?" I glare at her, and her eyes go wide in that ’sorry I asked’ kind of way. "Sorry," I groan. "I’m just... nervous."
Before my sister can question me any further, Luciano walks up and stands next to us. He doesn’t say anything, just acts like we’ve been expecting him. This time, it’s Rory’s turn to glare, and all of that irritation is focused right on Dex’s cousin.
"Hi Luciano," I say, realizing that my sister isn’t going to greet him and he isn’t going to bother introducing himself to my dad. "This is our father, Will. Dad, this is Dex’s cousin."
"Hi, Luciano. That’s a great name. Italian, I take it," my dad says, offering his hand.
"Sicilian," Luciano says, shaking his hand.
"That’s a firm grip you’ve got there," Dad chuckles in a way I’ve come to identify as nervous, and I glance down at his hand. There are red marks from how tightly it’s been squeezed by Luciano, but I only see it briefly before Dad folds it in his other one and the evidence is hidden from view.
"My father always says the handshake reveals the man," Luciano replies. "It’s nice to meet you Mr. Gray."
Now Rory’s face is the one beginning to flush red, but it looks like it’s more from anger than anything else. I’m not sure what it is about Dex’s cousin in particular that gets under her skin, but it’s obvious she doesn’t like him. From the way Luciano is looking at her right now though, that doesn’t seem to bother him in the least.
"Where is the rest of your family?" I ask, finding it strange that it’s just Luciano here.
"They caught sight of Dex already, and I’m not sure Ma will be leaving his side. She was wanting to bring food to the house, but Pa told her to wait. I think she has a whole month of meals planned for the two of you by now."
"That’s sweet," I say quietly, discreetly glancing around to see who may have overheard. It would be pretty obvious that Dex and I are living together based on that statement.
When I don’t see anyone staring at us with piqued interest, I focus back on Luciano. "I think cooking is actually therapeutic for him. He’s been doing a lot of it. It’s just the eating that he’s not as good about."
Rory’s eyebrows tent upward in concern. "That’s understandable, but God... poor Dex. Have you been encouraging him to eat?"
I feel the twitch of a smile on my lips. Yes, I have definitely been encouraging him. Sex is a strong motivator.
"Yes, of course," I tell her without elaborating.
"Well, it’s probably time we should go in," Dad says, and I notice the way he looks at Luciano when he says it. I wonder if Dex’s cousin makes him uncomfortable because of the handshake. It seems like a pretty trivial thing to me.
"You can go back with your family now," Rory says with such plain irritation that I have to catch a surprised laugh before it breaks free.
"They’re fine without me. I’m supposed to keep an eye on your sister." Luciano winks at me, and my eyes widen. Dex wants him to watch me here? Here?
"Why the hell would you have to do that?" Rory asks, mirroring my thoughts, albeit in a more aggressive manner.
"I assume because my cousin is in love with her. Love is a powerful thing, princess," he says with a wry smile, his gaze roaming over Rory’s body.
Okay, so Luciano has a thing for my sister. That’s pretty obvious.
"But does he think someone is going to kidnap her at a funeral? Why does he need someone to watch her?" Rory shoots a questioning glare my way, clearly suspicious that there is something I’m keeping from her.
"Stalkers are no joke. You never know when they’re going to turn up. My grandmother was murdered by one," Luciano says, all hint of teasing and flirting vanishing with the revelation.
"Stalkers?" Rory repeats, and both her and Dad look at me at the same time.
"What is he talking about, Raya?" Dad asks.
"It’s my neighbor," I grumble. "I’ll tell you about it later."
"The peeping Tom?" Rory asks, her jaw dropping open.
"Yes. He showed up at Dex’s house. Come on, it’s no big deal. Let’s just go sit down," I mutter.
"No big deal?" Rory hisses, allowing me to usher her toward the doors where everyone is starting to gravitate. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
"Because I didn’t want you to worry obviously."
I cast an accusing glare Luciano’s way, but he doesn’t look apologetic at all for letting it slip. His lips are curved in amusement, and then I notice his eyes gravitate down to check out my sister’s ass as he walks behind her.
Just for revealing the stalker bit of information, I want to tell him there’s no chance in hell with Rory. From what I can tell, they are complete opposites. He can keep dreaming, because that’s all it’s going to be—a dream. The more he lays on that arrogant charm, the more Rory is going to hate him for it.
But then she does something that makes me question that assumption. She stops and turns to Luciano, reaching for his hand. "I’m sorry about your grandmother."
Her voice is soft and apologetic, and the mischievous fire in Luciano’s eyes shifts to something else. Something dark.
"And I appreciate you looking after Raya. Thank you so much," she adds. "Seriously."
Luciano nods, his gaze turning so intense that I’m surprised there’s not a crackle of electricity in the air.
"When you’re around princess, it’s a pleasure."
