Page 98 of His Kidnapped Queen
Diego looks at me from the corner of his eye. “You’re too good at this, you know.”
I blink. “Good at what?”
“Figuring things out. Detective work.”
The word detective makes my blood run cold. Does Diego know more than he lets on? Even with all the progress I’ve made with Luca, if the truth comes out, I’m in trouble.
“I was only a beat cop.”
“Pity. You would have made a fine detective.”
I clear my throat and dig into my Greek salad, needing something to occupy my mouth so I don’t dig myself in deeper.
Diego and I are sitting on the couch, watching a period film, when Luca comes in the door. I’m curled up next to Diego, not too close, dozing in and out.
“Feel better now?” Diego asks in a rough voice and Luca frowns down at the two of us. There’s something in his eyes I can’t quite recognize.
“Are you trying to move in on Sophia?”
Diego stares at him, and so do I. What the hell is he talking about?
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Diego asks, echoing my thoughts.
“Sitting here. Watching romantic movies. Curled up together on the couch.” He kicks Diego’s legs off the ottoman and Diego stands, gritting his teeth.
“I love you like a brother, Luca, but you’re trying my patience.”
“Is that why you wanted me killed?” Luca demands to know. “So that you could have her?”
“You’ve lost your fucking mind,” Diego says incredulously. “Right after accusing me of trying to kill you, you accuse me of trying to steal your girl?’
“I’m nobody’s girl,” I say, but it falls on deaf ears.
The way they’re circling each other like sharks is bad news.
“Diego and I were just watching a movie, Luca, you’re being ridiculous.” I place a hand on his arm and he glances at me, fury still evident on his face.
“Or was it you? Did you get word out to some of your cop friends?” he accuses me and I close my mouth with a snap, taking a step backward.
“Just because your brother is a fuckup is no excuse to take it out on me,” I say, and Luca blinks at me.
“Fuck. Fuck, I guess you’re right.”
“Of course she’s right. Maybe you need a good night’s sleep,” Diego points out, his shoulders still stiff.
“Maybe I do,” Luca mutters, and before I can say anything, he walks toward the bedroom, disappearing inside. He doesn’t close the door.
Does he want me to go in after him?
I look over at Diego and he shrugs, throwing his hands up in the air.
I take in a deep breath and push the door of the bedroom open, finding Luca lying on his back in the bed, looking at the door.
“Sophia. Pixie. Come here.”
He gestures toward himself with his arms and I’m powerless to resist, going to him, shutting the door with my foot. Diego doesn’t deadbolt it. I suppose he trusts me to some extent. Or maybe he just trusts Luca not to let me escape.
Either way, it feels a little like a victory.
