I lie back on the sun lounger in my parents’ garden, keeping an eye on Matthias and the twins as they play in the pool with Hugo. All of the boys can swim and Hugo would die before he ever let anything happen to any of them, so I should be able to relax, but I can’t. I replay the events of the day over and over in my head. How much that asshole reminded me of my oldest brother. The way that he looked at me made me feel like I was thirteen again, fighting off Luca’s wandering hands. Trying to fade into the background so that he wouldn’t notice me. Wedging a chair under my door each night to prevent him from getting into my room.
A shudder runs the length of my spine as I recall his hands on my skin. The smell of his foul breath. A tear runs down my cheek and I swat it away. He is dead. He can’t hurt me anymore and he doesn’t deserve another second of my time.
The night my two brothers and the man I believed was my father were murdered was one of the worst nights of my life, but it also signaled the start of a new one for me. My freedom.
After my biological mom died when I was eight, my life had been a living hell in that house. I never understood why the man I believed was my dad hated me so much that he left me to the mercy of my animal older brothers.
It was only once I came to LA and met Alana that Alejandro discovered my real father was actually his uncle, Carlos Montoya. He was a psychopath, too. He kidnapped me and my mom in some crazy takeover attempt. I was pregnant with Matthias at the time and I remember being so terrified that we were all going to die in the filthy basement where he was keeping us prisoner.
My mom was so fierce and protective and the way she handled the whole thing makes me so proud of her, but it was my father and Jax who rescued us. That was the first time Jax ever hugged me and I think it was the moment when I fell in love with him. I always expected it to fade. I mean what girl wouldn’t fall in love with the handsome man who rescued her from a psychopath? But instead of fading, my feelings have only grown stronger over time.
Thoughts of Jax make me happy and sad at the same time. It was so good to work with him today. He has so much confidence in me that it makes me want to make him proud. We were having such a great day until I went and ruined it. And then he hugged me and I felt all kinds of things I shouldn’t feel about him. Making everything awkward between us again. Why can’t I just accept that it will never happen between us?
“You okay, sweetheart?” my mom says as she takes a seat beside me and hands me a glass of fresh lemonade.
“Yes,” I lie.
“How was your first day?”
“Great.” Only a half-lie this time.
“Your father will be home soon. I’m sure he can’t wait to hear all about it. Are you going to stay for dinner?”
“Yes, please,” I say with a smile. It will be nice to have some company. “Do you mind if Matthias and I sleep over?”
“Of course not. You sure everything is okay?”
I take her hand in mine and squeeze. “Yes, Mom.”
“Hmm.” She sips her lemonade and I know she doesn’t believe me, but she also knows me well enough to know that I will only talk when I want to.
“You must have missed going out with your friends while you had the three boys last week?” she says.
“No, Mom,” I sigh.
“I’m not prying,” she laughs. “But you’re twenty-one, Lucia. You need to go out and see people other than your father and me. When was the last time you went dancing?”
“I can’t remember,” I say with a frown.
“Then your father and I will have Matthias this Friday while you go out with your friends.”
I turn and smile at her. “Actually, Mom, that’s a great idea. Thank you.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. What better way to get over Jackson Decker than to go out and have some fun?
I take my cell from my pocket and type out a text to my friend, Archer.
Lucia: You fancy coming to The Blue Flame with me Friday night?
He texts back immediately.
Archer: VIP treatment??
Lucia: Of course
The Blue Flame is the hottest club in LA, and it also belongs to my father.
Archer: Then hell yes
Lucia: Great
Archer: I’ll come to your place at 8 for pre-cock cocktails?
I laugh to myself and my mom smiles at me. I forgot how much fun Archer is.
Lucia: It’s a date x
Archer: Love you x
I put my cell on the table beside me.
“Well?” My mom asks because she just can’t help herself.
“I’m going out with Archer Friday night. To Papi’s club.”
“Ooh, Archer.” She grins at me. “Is he the drummer with the blond hair and twinkly eyes?”
“Yes, Mom,” I laugh. “Don’t let Papi hear you talking about some dude like that. You know he has a jealous streak.”
“Archer’s gay. He won’t mind.”
“Papi once told me your ass had the power to turn gay men straight,” I remind her.
She laughs so loudly that Hugo and the boys look over at us.
“I remember that. When he was going on and on about my bikini that day at the beach.”
“Yes.” I laugh too. “So I don’t think he will appreciate you getting all swoony over Archer’s twinkly eyes.”
“He does have a possessive streak,” she chuckles as she wipes a tear from her eye.
“It’s kind of cute the way you two are so into each other,” I say with a sigh.
“Hmm.” She looks into the distance with a dreamy expression on her face.
“Mom,” I snap. “Are you thinking dirty things about Papi right now?” I pull a face to make my disgust obvious.
“No.” She frowns at me.
I shake my head and lean back. “Liar.” I shake my head and lean back.
“Don’t call your mother a liar, Lucia,” she pretends to chastise me.
“What if there are no guys like that out there for me, Mom? What if I never find anyone who looks at me the way Papi looks at you?” I sigh.
She reaches over and squeezes my hand in hers. “For you, my beautiful daughter, there is a whole world of love and opportunity. I promise you.” Then she lifts my hand to her lips and kisses it softly.
