Chapter 217: Cleaning Up
- LUCIANO -
It’s almost funny. Dom and Sonny were here maybe an hour, and Rory is already learning about their presence.
Dex warned me about how she might react, but I can’t lie to her. It would just make her distrust me in the end, and that’s not what I want. She’s already got enough issues with trust. So I’m just going to put everything out there and let her decide how to feel about it.
Hopefully now that this has happened tonight, Rory will understand why I’ve had people watching her. It’s not because I’m crazy or obsessed. Dangerous people are everywhere. And Rory and her sister seem to be magnets for them.
"This is how I keep people safe," I add, waiting for her reaction while she stands by the door in that blue dress.
I’ve been trying to ignore the way she looks in that dress. It’s a simple sleeveless dress, one that is beachy and casual. But the enticing way it appears against the pale olive of her skin contrasts with the sweet, playful innocence of it. She looks so vulnerable. Breakable. It’s like the delicate part of her usually kept hidden is exposed to the world tonight.
On top of that, she’s hurt. My instinct now that we’re here is to take her into the bathroom and clean her up and check her over and make sure nothing ever comes close to hurting her again.
"You brought guys here," she says finally. "That makes sense. Okay."
Then she blows out a relieved breath and walks back toward where she was before, hovering between the bathroom and the bed.
"That doesn’t upset you?"
"Why would it upset me? They’re your guys and your... you know, business." She gestures toward me, like the unsavory thing I do for a living is plain to see. "You probably need a lot of protection."
She looks at her stitched hand, and I realize the reason she’s not upset. Rory thinks I brought them to protect me. I didn’t get to the part where they’re meant for her.
The mistake makes me chuckle, and she glances up. "What?"
"Nothing." I shake my head, deciding not to tell her the rest for now--that I can protect myself just fine. Because as long as Rory doesn’t mind sharing a bedroom with me, Dom and Sonny won’t be necessary shadows for her. I can protect her on my own. "I’m just glad you’re not freaked out by it."
"Freaked out about that? After... everything? No. It’s a relief to know they checked on Dex and Raya. Have they found anything?"
"Can we take care of you while we talk?" I point to the bathroom and head that way with her.
"There’s nothing else to take care of," she says, looking down at herself once we’re by the sink. "I’m a mess, but that’s it."
"Then let’s clean up the mess," I give her a crooked smile and reach for a washcloth on the pile nearby before turning on the tap. "Would you rather take a shower?"
"Maybe later. I don’t have clothes."
"I’m sure I have something," I offer.
"You?" She scoffs, and the old attitude that comes back with that remark is great.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I chuckle. "I wear clothes, don’t I?"
"Yeah, but your casual clothes are..." she glances down at me and bites her lip. "Dressy. I don’t think you want me wearing your clothes and messing them up."
God, she sure as hell doesn’t know me if she thinks that’s true.
I wring the washcloth out and hand it to her, walking back out to find something from what I packed. I’m determined to find something that she’ll like, because seeing her in one of my shirts is the best thing I can imagine at the moment. I’m also determined to prove her wrong, of course. Only because it will be entertaining.
"Really, it’s okay," she calls.
"I have something you’ll be comfortable in. I’m all about comfort, remember?"
"Comfort for you," she says, lifting her eyebrows.
"I don’t think your prejudice against my clothes is a good reason to stay in that bloody dress, dolcezza."
I grab one of the shirts that I sometimes sleep in and unfold it, letting it hang for a brief evaluation. If it isn’t long enough, she probably won’t be comfortable. But this should do.
When I return with it, she’s dabbing one of her scraped knees, her injured hand raised in the air next to her. I’m willing to bet that her feet are scraped all over the bottoms, too, since she’s still barefoot.
She sets the cloth to the side and takes the shirt from me, rolling her eyes with a smile. Then she evaluates it just like I did.
"This is a t-shirt, Luci. You own a t-shirt?"
"It’s a ’luxury touch’ t-shirt," I correct her with a wink. "Feel how soft that is? You’re going to love it."
"When do you ever wear this?" She chuckles softly.
"To bed," I shrug.
"You said you don’t wear anything to bed."
The squint I get from her feels like a playful accusation. She thinks she’s caught me in a lie. The truth is I usually don’t wear anything to bed, but that’s not a fact we need to revisit right now. Rory doesn’t need to be nervous about staying with me tonight.
"I’m not sure those were my exact words, dolcezza. I was probably teasing you."
She laughs softly, and then there’s silence as we both stand there smiling at each other.
"I’ll let you..." I gesture toward the shower. "I’ll be out here checking in with the guys."
She nods, eyelashes fluttering, and I swear I can feel that same soft flutter in my chest.
"Let me know if you need anything," I add, backing out.
"I will."
She follows me to the door to close it when I leave, so I go to do just what I said—check in with Dom and Sonny to see where we’re at. If they had found something, I would have already heard from them. But I’m interested to get the updates and let them know Rory and I will be staying here.
"Luci," Rory says softly, drawing my attention back to her. "Thank you."
