Chapter 234: Share A Monster
- RAYA -
Luciano did not look pleased when Dex and I came to his cabina on the way back to the pool, but when Rory was happy to see us, that ruffle of irritation disappeared. He’s so attuned to her, it’s like they’ve been together for ages. When she is happy, he visibly relaxes.
Now I’m trying to hide my amusement at how closely Rory is watching the girl with Xeni who is checking out both of our guys. I know for sure neither of us has anything to worry about. Luciano is so into my sister, I honestly can’t imagine him giving anyone else the time of day.
When another woman comes out into the pool area and does a double-take at Dex and Luci, Rory sighs and leans back in the chair, closing her eyes against the sun. When it’s clear that she doesn’t want to have to watch someone else eyeing Luciano, I can’t help but laugh a little to myself.
"It’s not funny," she mumbles. "I don’t like this feeling."
"What feeling is that?"
Rory groans, still with her eyes closed. "That I want to stab pointy things into their eyeballs."
"Oh dear," I chuckle.
Rory smiles a little. "Not really. But I feel like that man is mine, and everybody else better stay far, far away."
My mouth falls open in surprise. That characterization is not what I was expecting. At least... not so soon. But it makes sense, I guess. Based on the way Luciano acts with her, I’m positive he feels the same way.
"That’s crazy isn’t it?" Rory asks, squinting over at me when I haven’t responded.
"No," I say quickly. "No. I’m just surprised."
"Yeah, I know. Me too. That’s why it’s crazy. Just like the dreams. All of this is crazy." She sighs again and closes her eyes, turning her face back toward the sun.
"It’s not crazy. It’s just unusual," I shrug. "There has to be an explanation. But at least you know the dreams happened to Dex and I, too."
She scoffs. "I’d give anything for those kind of dreams instead of the ones I’ve been having."
"But they seem to have been warnings," I remind her. "Important ones."
"Yeah, I know. That’s what scares me. What else is going to happen?"
She says it with such a sense of foreboding that it makes fear twist uncomfortably in my stomach. "You don’t think this was it? What happened last night?"
"No. That didn’t warrant the kind of nightmares I’ve had," she says. "No way. It would have to be something much worse."
"Well, if the guy had gotten to you or hurt you, then it would have been much worse. So the really bad part was avoided because of the nightmares. Right? That makes sense to me. You were protected"
Rory’s quiet, but I watch her bite her bottom lip repeatedly while she thinks it over.
"I hope you’re right," she says finally.
My attention returns to the guys. Luciano is pointing to something along the far beams of the dining area’s wooden veranda while he continues speaking with Xeni. She nods her head, pointing in the same direction.
I assume they’re talking about cameras or security of some kind. Based on the new system Luciano had installed in Dex’s house, security seems to be something he’s well versed in.
A few more people walk out into the pool area. There’s an older couple and a guy around our age. The couple gets situated on some chairs on the opposite side of the pool, glancing over toward Rory and I. I smile, and the man waves, but his gaze slides Rory’s way like she might open her eyes and recognize him.
"I think your doctor is here," I mutter.
"What?" She squints at me again.
A shadow passes in front of her, blocking the sun. We both look up to see the guy who just arrived at the same time as the older couple grinning widely, perfect white teeth on display. He’s blonde and muscular with bright blue eyes, and those eyes are focused on my sister.
"Hi. I’m Josh," he says with a small wave.
Rory just stares at him like she’s wondering why he’s introducing himself. Without her moving or saying anything, I can almost discern an invisible armor sliding across her skin, making her posture more rigid, more ready. This is typically how she is—guarded, closed.
"Mind if I sit?" Josh asks, pointing to the lounge chair next to Rory before sitting on the edge of it without waiting for an answer. "I saw you last night at dinner. You were hurt, right?"
"Oh no, I’m fine," she says.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Luciano and Dex turn our way. A look passes over them in unison—the shadow of something fierce and predatory, and they both share it. They’ve never looked more related than they do in that moment. It’s like they share a monster, and suddenly I’m very worried for Josh.
"You looked pretty shaken up." He leans closer, arms resting on his legs. "Are you sure you’re okay? I’m an intern. I could take a look."
"She said she’s fine, Josh," I tell him. "That’s nice of you, but you should go."
"I just feel bad that I didn’t jump in and help last night," he shrugs. "I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was hoping I would find you here."
Luciano is walking leisurely around the pool, and Dex is following close behind. With Rory reclined in the chair and Josh leaning over her, she doesn’t notice. I’m the only one who witnesses the crooked, sinister smile that curves on Luciano’s face while he stares at the guy leaning over my sister.
"I already got it stitched up," Rory says, lifting her injured hand. "So there’s no need."
"Yeah, you should go," I repeat, but Josh ignores me.
"Oh," he grimaces, staring at the stitch job. "Let me see. That looks a little rough."
He reaches for Rory’s hand, but she pulls it away.
"A doctor did it. Seriously, I’m good."
He chuckles. "I’m just trying to help."
"Did she ask for your help?"
Josh looks up to see Luciano standing there with eyes so black, even without knowing his mafia affiliations, there is no doubt what he is capable of. Dex is right behind him, eyebrows pinched in silent question about whether I’m okay.
"No, she didn’t," Josh says, standing up. "But I saw her hurt last night. I’m a doctor."
"Then why didn’t you help last night?" Luciano asks, head tilting in question.
There are a few very uncomfortable beats of silence. "Did you do this to her?" Josh asks, voice dropping in accusation. But it’s hollow, like he’s only trying to shift the focus off of himself.
Luciano’s impassive expression breaks into a smile. "If you were there last night, then you would know I’m the one who helped her."
"Okay, that’s enough," Rory says, getting up. "This is silly."
Luciano’s gaze softens when it lands on her, and it’s clear to me in that moment that he needs her just as much as she needs him. She is capable of piercing through that cold, murderous exterior and bringing out the warmth that anyone else might doubt is there.
Rory takes Luciano’s hand. "Come on," she says softly, "I need you for something."
Luciano cuts one more threatening glare Josh’s way before following Rory out of the pool area. In their absence, Dex glares at the stranger until he chuckles nervously.
"I’ll just..." he points toward the end of the pool and then walks timidly around the chair, passing Dex on the way, before making his escape.
"Wow," I sigh, feeling all the tension leave that was gripping me during the brief interaction.
"You okay, angel?" Dex asks, sitting where Rory was and leaning to kiss me.
"Yeah, I’m fine. That was just intense."
"Luci’s on edge," he says. "There is almost no security to speak of here. They’ve never had any problems until last night."
"Hmm. That’s weird."
"Want to swim?" He asks, threading his fingers through mine with a playful smile. "I’ll keep you safe, I promise."
"I know you will. You almost looked as scary as Luciano did when you saw that guy sitting here."
His smile fades, and he stares down at our hands. "After last night—after everything—I would die before I let something happen to you, Raya." He lifts my hand and kisses it.
"I feel the same way about you, you know?" I smile.
"Well that’s not happening in this lifetime, okay? Come on, let’s get wet and wrinkly together."
"Wet and wrinkly?" I laugh. "That sounds appealing."
"Okay, just wet," he growls, leaning to kiss me again. Then he pulls me up and guides me to the steps of the pool.
All thoughts about what just happened vanish as I follow him, admiring the broad, rolling shoulders and sculpted muscles of his back. God, I love this man. How am I here, days away from being his wife? How am I this lucky?
