Snatched Two Husbands, But They Both Remember the Fire Chapter 08

Snatched Two Husbands, But They Both Remember the Fire Chapter 08

Luca was quiet after.

Ate almost nothing. Left the steak. Pushed the tiramisu around.

Then went to his room.

“What’s wrong?” I asked Alessia.

“Writing to his dad. Lots of paper. Ripping and rewriting. Floor’s all balls.”

“About what?”

Something about giving up power.

I put down my fork.

His dad had all the connections. Politicians. Business. Cops. Even some FBI people. Thirty years of work.

If Luca wanted him to hand that over-

“Heading where?”

“Don’t know. But his eyes were red.”

I sighed.

Luca. All soft and sweet. But worried. Worried he wasn’t good enough. Worried about the other guy.

Kinda cute.

I finished my dinner. Got up. Went to him.

Didn’t get there.

Someone picked me up from behind.

Rocco.

I knew because of the cigar smell and leather.

“PUT ME DOWN.”

I hit his shoulder. Like hitting a wall.

He carried me to his room. Dropped me on the bed.

His face was dark.

“Last night was his. Why do you go there every night?”

But his eyes. Not mad-red. Sad-red.

“I asked for first husband. You don’t care.”

“That’s not what it means.”

“Don’t care.”

He sat next to me. Leaned in. Close. I could see his eyelashes. His eyes.

“Come here.”

He pulled me over. Hand behind my head.

“Rocco-”

“Shh.” His finger on my mouth. “No talking tonight.’

“Why not?”

“Because when you talk, I don’t like what you say.”

“The other two things?”

“You say them to him.”

I didn’t say anything.

Because he was right.

Rocco put his forehead on mine.

“Tell me,” he said. Quiet. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing-

“Then why him?”

I tried to answer. *I don’t have to choose.* But it sounded wrong. Greedy.

Rocco didn’t ask again.

Just held me closer.

I fell asleep. Dreamt of being ten years old.

The mountain. The temple. A boy in the pond.

“You saved me,” he said. Shivering. Little-kid voice. “I owe you.”

“No.”

“My mom said. Save someone’s life. You marry them.”

“How old are you? You don’t know what that means.

“I do,” he said. So serious. “Means take care of you.”

I laughed.

“Tell me when you’re bigger.”

Then fire. Smoke. People screaming my name.

I woke up.

Morning. Rocco still sleeping.

“Hey,” I said. “When you were ten-”

“Don’t.”

His eyes were open. Already awake.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“But-”

“It doesn’t matter. I thought it was her. It was you. Doesn’t matter. You’re here.”