“Don’t want you sorry, babe.” His forehead comes down on mine, eyes closing, nostrils flaring as he breathes me in. “Want yousmart. That means telling me when you’re in trouble. That means admitting when youneedhelp.”
I nod. “I will. Ipromise.”
“Good.” His mouth is still frowning as it brushes mine in a hard, frustrated kiss. Though his anger has dwindled a bit, it’s not gone yet. Notcompletely.
I pull out of his grip and walk to the railing, looking out over the water with my backtohim.
“Delilah.”
“Don’t kiss me when you’reangry.”
“Always want to kiss you, babe.” His voice is a shade warmer — closer to his usual gruff tones, rather than the gutturalgrind your bones into breadgrowl he’s been directing at me for the past few minutes. I feel his heat at my back, hovering close, but he doesn’t touch me. “Could be screaming my head off at you, or vice versa, I’d still want my mouth on yours and your hair in myhands.”
Shit.
I inhale deeply, affected by his words despite myself. I hate it when he’s sweet. It totally ruins my righteousangervibe.
He comes around to lean against the railing beside me, pressing his side into mine as we stare at the sea of stars shining down on the inky black harbor. The lights of East Boston glow like fireflies across theexpanse.
“What did your brothertellyou?”
“Not much.” I sigh. “I’ve known Duncan was in financial trouble for a few months, now, but I didn’t know about the loan shark stuff. Not until he showed up the other day. He said they were after him, but assured me they wouldn’t try to track me down.” I snort. “Guess he waswrong.”
“Anythingelse?”
“He needed money. When I couldn’t give it to him, heskippedtown.”
“Howmuch?”
The wind blows long, tangled strands of hair across my face. I tuck it back behind my ears. “He said a hundred grand. I have a feeling it’s probably more,though.”
Lucacurses.
I can’t blame him. I feel likecursing,too.
“Do you know where heisnow?”
I shakemyhead.
“So, what was the plan, Delilah?” He doesn’t touch me, but his tone softens. “You figured you’d somehow come up with the money, somehow save your brother fromhisfate?”
“What choice did I have?” I lift my brows. “He’s my brother. He’s the only sibling I have left. Was I supposed to just let them kill him, because he made some badchoices?”
“No. But you sure as shit should’ve asked for help. Did you really figure you were responsible for handling something like this all byyourself?”
I jerk my chin higher, not responding. He already knows the answer to hisquestion.
Yes, that’s exactly what I figured. Because I’m not used to having someone around who might want to be involved; someone who gives a shit about me enough to help when bad guys with big fists comecalling.
“You are not alone.” His words are halting. “You don’t have to do this alone,Delilah.”
I nod in agreement, but my head is swimming with doubts. I’ve been alone for so long, I don’t know how to function anyotherway.
He stares at me, as if he knows I don’t believe his assurances. “I’ll find your brother and drag him back here kicking and screaming, if necessary,” he vows, tone lethally soft. “He’s not dumping thisonyou.”
“He already did,” I murmur, eyes stinging. I feel like the biggest of fools. Used, abused, abandoned. Not to mention a total idiot, for alienating the one man who’s been saving my assallweek.
Luca runs a hand over his stubble, a tense gesture that underscores how hard it is for him to get out the next words. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I know I was a prick. I just…” His hands curl back into fists. “The thought of someone hurting you… Isawred.”