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Chapter 0318
Chapter 0318Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
"I didn't do anything," I correct, putting out a hand between us. "And it may be true that I'm good for Luca's image, but it should have been our choice to make this announcement. I'm part of this now, and even if you are in charge of Luca's public image, you're not in charge of mine."
Bruce holds my gaze, accepting what I say but still not backing down. And I see in him that he still believes he made the right choice for Luca and his family - and that I'm not nearly as included in that family as he'd have me think.
But also, in the same moment, I realize that it doesn't matter whether Bruce is sorry or regrets it or gives me an apology. Because it's done. And it's time to move on.
And besides, Rafe is right - my father will have his own response to this matter in time.
And when that comes, Bruce will have his own debts to pay.
"You know," I say softly, considering my words very carefully as I step to Luca's side. "Luca's bigger than just his boxing career. His worth is not measured alone by what he can earn in the ring, and through the media. IIe's doing beautifully at the Academy, which is a career path in itself. And he has people who believe in him, who will help him build the roads to whatever he wants to do once he's no longer boxing anymore."
I slip my hand into my mate's as I feel a rush of shock, and humility, and gratitude come flooding through our bond. And as I look up at Luca, I realize that no one's ever said that to him before - that they think he's bigger than just his boxing career. That he's worth something beyond it.
"I very much hope you're right, miss," Bruce says, his voice soft.
I snap my gaze back to Bruce.
"I am," I say, my voice firm.
And nobody says another damn thing, because we're all very aware that mine is the final word on the subject.
I let the silence ring for a moment before I look up at my mate, and tug on his hand. "Is there somewhere we can go?" I ask quietly. "I want a private word with you."
Luca stares at me for a second before he clears his throat and nods. "My room," he murmurs, lifting his chin back towards foyer in front of the main door, beyond which is a staircase. "We can talk there."
I turn towards Rafe and then Jesse. "You'll be all right here?"
"Sure," Rafe says, nodding easily to me as Bruce sighs and walks out of the room, heading into the kitchen at the same moment that Gran comes out, carrying a heaping tray full of plates. Rafe smiles softly. "I think we'll be... kept busy down here. Take your time, Ariel."
As Luca and I set off for the stairs, I see Rafe and Jesse sit down on the couch with Linda as Gran happily sets the tray down on the coffee table.
"Who..." Gran says, straightening up and putting her hands on her hips, looking curiously at Jesse. "Who....are you?"
Jesse's jaw drops. "You don't know who I am!?"
She just leans closer, like studying him will help her figure it out.
But Jesse just sighs, a tiny bit devastated, as he reaches for a slice of cake. "I'm the Duke."
"The best Duke," Rafe says, grinning at our cousin and patting him on the back as Gran presses a plate of cake into her favorite's hand.
I smile a little, but then we're too far up the steps to see any more of the action below, and the smile falls from my face as I follow Luca into his room.
He doesn't say anything as he holds open his door, letting me slip inside. A grin creeps over my face as I move to Luca's little twin bed and sit down on it, curling my legs up beneath me, because the room is just so boyish. There are boxing posters all over the wall, and old sets of gloves heaped in a corner, and a desk where I can imagine him immediately abandoning his homework as a kid. There's even still a cup with all of his pencils in the corner, a few of them broken and haphazardly shoved away.
Honestly, it's charming as hell. But Luca clearly isn't thinking about how cute his room is as he shuts his door and leans back against it, staring at the floor. "I am so sorry, Ariel," he sighs, his voice low with shame.