Chapter 12

Two years ago

"Is he a good kisser?" Daisy asked as she popped the cork from the bottle of wine she was holding. "He looks like he's a good kisser."

"Um..." the tips of Gia's cheeks flushed. "Yeah..."

"Well, don't hold back," Daisy laughed, pouring a glass of Wine for Gia. "Tell me more. Was there tongue? Did he hold your waist? Where were his hands? Did he inhale or exhale when he kissed you?"

"I wasn't paying attention to all that," Gia laughed.

"Sure," Daisy snorted.

"Want me to get you a glass?" Gia asked as she noticed the one wine glass.

"No," Daisy shook her head. "I'm not having a drink."

"Why not?"

"My stomach feels weird," Daisy said, running her belly. "I think it must have been something I ate yesterday or something."

"You look different," Gia observed.

"Yeah?" Daisy laughed. "How so?"

"You definitely put on some weight since you moved in here," Gia said.

"It's all the damn take outs!" Daisy threw her hands up. "I hate cooking every night."

"You look good," Gia added. "Your cheeks are fuller."

"My clothes don't fit," Daisy complained. "I have to go get new jeans."

"You have a booty now," Gia teased.

"Excuse me," Daisy held up her finger. "I've always had a booty. What do you think got us all those drinks freshman year in college?"

"I thought it was your killer personality."

"Please," Daisy rolled her eyes. "As if that's what horny college frat boys are looking for."

Gia laughed as she picked up the bag of take out and walked over to the sofa. Daisy followed her feeling nauseous at the smell of the wine.

"I think I'm going to go to the urgent care tomorrow," she said.

"That bad?" Gia frowned. "You want to go right now? I'm sure we can find a 24 hour one."

"No," Daisy shook her head. "I'll go tomorrow before Eric gets home."

"How is he by the way?"

"A pain in my ass," Daisy rolled her eyes. "He's a man child."

"I told you to not move in with him," Gia shrugged.

Yeah, so did your brother, Daisy snorted.

"His mom called me the other day," Daisy said, remembering the awkward phone call.

"Saying what?"

"She wanted to invite us for the weekends to his sister's baby shower," Daisy said. "I don't think I want to go."

"Why not?"

"I already know how it's going to go," Daisy said. "Everyone will ask Eric when he's proposing and when we're getting married and it's nauseating."

"Have you guys talked about it?"

"About what?"

"Marriage."

"Hell to the no," Daisy laughed. "He knows how I feel about marriage. I don't think he will ever bring it up."

"Look at that," Gia grinned. "Match made in heaven."

"Enough about me," Daisy gently pushed the boxes of food towards Gia. The smells were making her sick to her stomach. "Tell me about Daniel!"

_____________________

Moving in with Eric proved to be more difficult than Daisy had thought. She never knew he was so messy. All his things were all over the apartment. It was like living in a frat house. Daisy did her best to keep everything organized and clean but there was only so much she could do before Eric messed everything up again. They constantly fought and it was beginning to outweigh the good times that they did have together.

Any time Eric had to leave for a business trip, Daisy sighed a breath of relief. Sure, he would be super romantic once he got back and make her feel like she was the center of his universe for the next few days. But not having him around to make a mess was much better than that feeling.

Daisy liked knowing where everything was in her home. As she freely moved around her kitchen pulling out her cups and plates for breakfast, her heart sang happily. Gia was still asleep in the guest bedroom and Daisy did not want to disturb her. She quietly got all the ingredients out for breakfast from the fridge and started a fresh pot of coffee when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

Daisy grabbed her phone and headed towards the door. She wasn't expecting any delivery and Eric wouldn't be back for another day. As she neared, the bell rang once more. Curiously, Daisy looked through the peephole in the door and gasped.

Luca stood outside loosening up his tie as his blazer rested on his other hand. His hair was messy and his eyes looked as if he hadn't slept all night. Daisy's heart contracted at the sight of him. She hadn't seen him since the day at the hospital. She was aware he had gone back to London but beside the occasional calls she never accepted there had been no contact between the two. With her heart pounding, Daisy slowly turned the lock and opened the door.

Luca looked up and stilled. His lips parted as the two small black dots in his eyes dilated. He didn't say a word as Daisy gazed back at him from the doorway. The whole world seemed to be holding its breath.

"Good morning," Luca finally spoke, his gravelly voice making Daisy's tummy tighten.

"Good morning," Daisy suddenly became very much aware of the fact that she wore nothing but one of Eric's old t-shirts. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in London?"

"I'm here to pick up Gia," Luca said casually.

"She's still asleep," Daisy announced.

"May I wait inside while you wake her up?"

Daisy slowly nodded and stepped aside. Her eyes followed Luca as he stepped into the apartment and ran a hand through his already messy hair. He stopped by the entrance and waited for Daisy to tell him where to go.

"What time did your flight land?" Daisy asked, leading Luca to the kitchen.

"About an hour ago," Luca said. Daisy could feel his eyes traveling up the back of her legs and then pause on her ass. He tried to hide it and act unbothered, but every time she wasn't looking, she could feel him looking.

"Gia didn't say you were coming," Daisy cleared her throat, stopping by the other side of the kitchen island.

"It was unplanned," Luca looked around.

"Have a seat," Daisy pointed. "I'll wake her in a bit. She went to bed very late."

Luca didn't respond as he pulled the stool back and took a seat at the island. He watched Daisy open the package of bacon and immediately gag. His brow arched as she tossed them in the trash as if they were poisonous.

"Are you okay?" Luca asked.

"Mhm," Daisy nodded, her hand over her mouth. She gagged once more from the smell on her hands.

Luca stood up from his seat and walked around the counter to where Daisy stood, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Daisy took a step back. "That smelled really bad. I think it's spoiled."

Luca couldn't stop himself as he reached up and touched the edge of Daisy's face, "You're pale."

"That's none of your concern," Daisy gently pushed his hand away.

"Is your boyfriend here?" Luca asked.

"No," Daisy shook her head. "But your sister is."

Luca slowly pulled back. He stared down at Daisy as she avoided looking at his eyes. The slither of space between them could have easily been eliminated if either one took a deep breath.

"Did you fly all the way over here to pick Gia up?" Daisy asked. "You dislike her hanging out with me that much?"

"No," Luca said. He took a small step back and headed back to his seat. "I dislike her hanging out with Daniel."

Daisy didn't dare look up. She suddenly grew very busy with the ingredients in front of her, "What do you mean?"

"I know she was with Daniel last night," Luca said.

"No," Daisy shook her head. "She was with me last night, Luca. We watched movies and had dinner and talked about boys."

"You're cute when you lie."

"I'm not...."

The corner of Luca's lips curved up.

"I was going to say I'm not lying," Daisy narrowed her eyes.

"I know she's been seeing him," Luca said calmly. "And I know you've been covering for her."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Daisy said. "I've been busy with my class and the move and every-"

"Daisy," Luca's eyes were locked on her hands. "Do you want me to take Gia away from here forever?"

"What?" Daisy felt her heart drop.

"That's what's going to happen if she keeps being such an idiot."

"Don't call her that!" Daisy hissed. "She's not doing anything du-"

"The night she crashed in Carla's car," Luca started. "It was tampered with. Someone messed with the breaks."

Daisy's back straightened with a chill, "By who?"

"I don't know," Luca shrugged. "But take a guess."

Daisy didn't want to. The thought of anything happening to Gia made her feel hollow and sick to her stomach.

"She's playing with fire," Luca said. "And she's going to get hurt. Very hurt."

Daisy's throat dried up as she listened to Luca. The pressure in her chest left her feeling dizzy as the sound of the guest bedroom door interrupted them.

"If you keep covering for her," Luca lowered his voice. "You're aiding her reckless behavior."

Daisy didn't know what to say. She stared at Luca as Gia walked into the kitchen and yawned.

"Good morning," she said.

Daisy slowly turned to face the girl as Gia lowered her hand. Their eyes met and all the sleep vanished from Gia's eyes. She looked over Daisy's shoulder and gasped silently as her eyes fell on her brother.

"Luca?" Gia whispered. "How did..."

Luca's face was grim. His eyes hooded and guarded as he sat leaned back in his chair.

"You wear t-shirts now?" He asked.

Gia looked down at Daniel's shirt she had on since the night before. Daisy wanted to jump in front of her and block her from her brother's sight.

"Yeah," Gia tucked her hair back and lowered her gaze before shrugging, It's the first time."

"Breakfast?" Daisy cleared her throat and held up an apple.

"Thanks," Gia took the apple and walked farther into the kitchen, avoiding looking at her brother.

"I was in London," Luca said casually. His eyes followed Gia and Daisy as they moved around the kitchen making coffee.

"Oh," Gia hummed as she took the mugs out of the cabinets.

"Coffee?" Daisy turned around with the pot of dark liquid and looked at Luca for the first time since Gia entered the kitchen.

"Yes...." Luca nodded, his fingers drumming the counter and his calculating eyes watching the girls. "Please."

Gia stepped aside as Daisy poured three cups of coffee in silence. She passed a mug to Luca before placing the jar of sugar on the counter.

"Who's shirt are you wearing?" Luca shifted his attention back to his sister.

"Mine," Daisy answered.

Luca's eyes moved to the blonde, "A little too big to be yours."

"My ex-boyfriend's," Daisy laughed.

"You kept his shirt?" Luca arched his brow.

"I keep a little something from everyone," Daisy shrugged. "You should see my storage unit."

"How many exes do you have?" Luca questioned.

"We don't have enough fingers to count," Daisy picked up her mug. "Cheers."

Luca's eyes darkened, "Why is my sister wearing your ex-boyfriend's shirt?"

"It was my idea!" Gia jumped in.

"Your idea?" Luca asked.

"Yeah," Gia nodded. "After yesterday's phone call, Dee and I were laughing about me being in a t-shirt so we were just messing around and I wanted to see what I would look like."

Luca's eyes narrowed further.

"We may have had too many glasses of wine," Gia shifted her weight.

"Your sister can not handle her alcohol," Daisy threw in. "Is being a lightweight a family trait?"

"Gia," Luca's jaw tensed, but his voice was even. His eyes were grilling Daisy as he spoke to his sister. "Go change. And bring me the flash drive."

"You know I cleaned that shirt, right?" Daisy asked. "I wouldn't let her wear dirty clothes."

"Stop talking," Luca rubbed his forehead.

Daisy gasped loudly, "Let me remind you, you're sitting in my kitchen!"

"You kitchen in my building."

"What?" Daisy leaned back.

"We own the building?" Gia asked, stepping back into the kitchen.

"Yes," Luca sighed. "It belongs to our family."

"I didn't know that," Gia frowned. "When did this happen?"

"We're expanding into real estate," Luca leaned back in his seat once more.

"Since when?"

"Gia," Luca clicked her tongue. "Get me my flash drive. I have a meeting in a few. I would like to be out of here."

"G, hurry up!" Daisy snapped. "The man wants to leave. Let us not keep him for too long."

Frustrated, Gia turned and hurried off to the guest bedroom, leaving Daisy and Luca alone in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" Luca asked. "I told you to stop protecting her. I already know she's lying."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Daisy said.

"Are you really going to keep up this lie?"

"I. Don't. Know. What. You. Are. Talking. About," Daisy said stubbornly.

"Why do you have to make my life so difficult?" Luca got up from his chair and headed towards the guest bedroom.

"Because you aggravate me," Daisy stepped forward to stop him and buy Gia some more time.

"I aggravate you?" Luca laughed as if he found the idea ridiculous.

"Yes," Daisy said. "You are so controlling and bossy and you think you can tell me what to do whenever you wa-"

Luca stepped forward without any warning. Daisy stumbled back against the refrigerator as he grabbed her wrists and pinned her against the fridge.

"What are you doing?" Daisy hissed. "Gia's going to walk in here any second."

"Let her," Luca said, his eyes mischievous and playful. "I don't think she won't mind seeing us finally getting along."

"Getting along?" Daisy snorted. "With you? Never."

"Don't be like that, sunshine," Luca leaned forward and brushed his jaw along Daisy's cheek. "Out of all of Gia's friends, you are my favorite."

Daisy didn't know what came over her as she gripped the sleeves of Luca's shirt and let a small breathless sound escape her lips. Luca still as if he too was caught off guard by the little whimper of pleasure. His eyes widened as the corner of his mouth curved up and he pressed closer.

Daisy gasped, feeling Luca's body against her. She felt a bomb of need explode inside of her stomach and melt down to the spot between her legs. Her tights tightened as Luca stared down at her and leaned forward.

"You smell good," he whispered, burying his nose at the nape of her neck. Before Daisy could make any other embarrassing sound that seemed to excite Luca, he darted his tongue out and dragged it across the curve of Daisy's neck. When she jumped from the wetness of his tongue, Luca gripped the fabric of her boyfriend's hair around her body and pinned her to the fridge.

The sweet blossom of pain between Daisy's legs suddenly began to echo her heartbeat. She raised one of her thighs and moved it up between Luca's legs until her knee grazed his crotch. Luca's gravely chuckle set flames to Daisy's skin as he pulled her skin into his mouth and began to suck.

Daisy's lips parted and her hands flew to Luca's arms. She dug her fingers into him and pulled him closer, seeking his mouth. But before she could move her hand into his hair and tell him to bite her harder, Luca pulled back. Daisy began to see stars as he stepped away from her and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Luca's eyes lingered on the hickey he had just placed on Daisy's neck as she stared up at him in disbelief. Her eyes were full of need and it pleased the hell out of him. He wanted to pull her mouth to his and swing her onto the countertops to let his hands explore what was underneath that shirt. He was willing to bet every penny he had that she would let him.

Stepping forward, Luca lifted Daisy's hair and pushed it over her shoulder. She didn't say anything as he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on her cheek.

"Cover this up, baby," he whispered into her ear.

Daisy's hand flew to her neck. Her eyes widened as Luca stepped back grinning and turned towards the guest bedroom. She turned in the opposite direction and ran into the bathroom down the hall.

"Fuck!" Daisy gasped as soon as her eyes landed on the hickey on her neck. Her fingers traced over the colored skin as she stood with her heart pounding in front of the mirror.

I'm going to kill him, Daisy thought to herself as she began to hear yelling from the other end of the apartment.

Pushing her hair over the hickey quickly, Daisy hurried out of the bathroom and ran towards the guest bedroom. She could hear the panic in Gia's voice as Luca shouted at her from the doorway. Her anger with the man boiled as she ran into the room.

"Stop yelling at her," Daisy snapped, stepping around Luca. "I'll help her find it."

"It has to be here," Gia said, her eyes scanning the room.

"You had it in your purse, right?" Daisy asked. "What did it look like?"

"It was small and silver," Gia said. "There...there was a key chain on it."

"Did you drop it at the club?" Luca asked.

"No," Gia shook her head. "I put it in my purse. I remember."

"How did you two get home last night?"

"We took an Uber," Daisy said quickly.

"I need the license plate," Luca pulled out his phone. "What was the number?"

"I don't know it off the top of my head," Daisy snapped.

"Well, then find out!" Luca yelled.

"Who the hell d-" Daisy stepped forward, ready to go at it with Luca.

"It was actually our friend's car," Gia pulled her back.

"She just said it was an Uber," Luca's eyes narrowed like a hawk.

"Our friend who drives an Uber," Daisy snorted. "Relax, I'll call him and ask him to look in his car."

"Call him right now," Luca commanded.

Daisy knew Luca was very much aware of the fact that they were lying. But for Gia's sake, she wasn't going to reveal anything.

"Alright, relax," Daisy huffed as she pulled out her phone and redialed Daniel's number from the night before. "He might not pick up. We all had a long night yesterda-"

Luca narrowed his eyes in anger. Daisy was proving to be too stubborn and usually he would find that very amusing about her. But not when he was trying to get work done. The flash drive was important. It had evidence against him and his men from the night Mcarthy was dealt with. He needed to get his hands on that before someone else did. Someone else who could use it for their advantage. Lord only knew, Luca had a long list of people who would kill to get their hands on that flash drive.

"Hi!" Daisy spoke up as Luca moved his attention back to her. "It's Daisy. Gia's here with me too. What's up?"

Gia shifted uncomfortably beside her best friend.

"Yeah, yeah. We're fine," Daisy laughed. "Thanks for last night. Hey, just wondering....did Gia drop a flash drive in your car?"

Luca's jaw tensed. He was tempted to tell her he could easily trace her call and find out exactly who her friend was.

"Yeah, it's small and silver and has a small key chain on it," Daisy nodded, her eyes flickering up to Luca. "Her brother flew in all the way from London to come get it......I know, I guess he never heard of dropbox or something."

Luca took in a deep breath to keep himself grounded and not snatch the phone from her.

"Oh, you'll go look right now?" Daisy's eyes flickered to Luca once again. "Thank you so much! Yeah, we really appreciate it. Oh! And while you're at it..."

Luca didn't like the way Daisy's eyes lit up.

No, lies.

He loved the way her eyes lit up.

It only happened whenever she did anything to drive him over the edge and Luca was becoming a sucker for it.

"Can you please return that underwear you stole last night?" Daisy said.

Luca swore the girl would be the death of him. He wanted to put her over his shoulder and take her back to the kitchen to show her how he could mess with her too.

"Okay," Daisy smiled knowing very well she had gotten under Luca's skin. "Thanks! Bye!"'

So this is your revenge, Luca thought as Daisy hung up the phone.

"What?" She asked, noticing the evil look in his eyes. "He took my underwear."

The next time I get you alone, you'll be covered in hickies, Luca warned her with his eyes.

"I need that flash drive by noon," Luca said instead, his ice cold voice returning to freeze both the girls' hearts. His eyes were heated as he stared at Gia beside Daisy. "You hear me?"

Gia nodded. Daisy reached down and took her hand as Luca continued.

"I can't believe you would be so reckless," He hissed like a snake through his teeth. "I told you a million times how important that was to me. I trusted you to get it for me safely."

"She didn't do it on purpos-" Daisy began when Luca cut her off.

"Stay out of it," he warned.

Daisy clamped her mouth shut to Luca's surprise. He had never seen her do that before and it caught him off guard.

But Luca couldn't dwell on her for too long. He needed to keep his head straight.

"My sister would never be this irresponsible on her own," he had Daisy pinned to her spot with his angry gaze. The rage in his cold eyes was frightening. "You're a terrible influence on her."

"Luca, stop," Gia spoke up just as Daisy flinched slightly from his words. "This isn't Daisy's fault. She's trying to help us!"

"Look at yourself, Gia," Luca said in anger. "You're wearing someone else's ex-boyfriend's shirt, you're drinking all night, you're hanging out with Uber drivers."

"What's wrong with Uber drivers?" Daisy asked. "It's an honest income. That's more than what you can say about yourself."

"Luca, you're being an ass," Gia's eyes watered. "Stop it."

"Go get dressed," Luca ordered. "Maria would have a heart attack if she saw you like this."

Maria would have a heart attack if she saw me like this, Luca shook his head. She's with someone else. What the fuck are you doing? That's not who you were raised to be.

"Stop ordering her around," Daisy clicked her tongue, her voice pulling Luca out of his head.

"I told you to stay the fuck out of this!" Luca yelled, losing his control. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Someone who's trying to help you look for your stupid flash drive!" Daisy yelled back, matching his temper. "Get the fuck off your high horse. You're not a gentleman, you're a fuckin' criminal so lower your tone when you speak to me."

"Excuse me," Luca's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"

"We're leaving," Gia said before Daisy could say anything. "I'll be ready in five minutes."

Luca didn't look away from Daisy. His eyes were lit with raging fire. He didn't know if he wanted to yell at her some more or show her just how much of a gentleman he wasn't when it came to her. She stood there looking as if she hated him when they both knew she would crumble if he were to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He bet her mouth would taste like red hot chili peppers.

"Let's go," Gia grabbed Daisy's hand and began to pull her out of the room.

Luca wanted to pull Daisy back to his side and tell his sister to go get ready. But he didn't trust himself. He was a mess when it came to Daisy and being alone with her when she looked the way that she did and stared at him the way that she did was not good for his mental sanity.

Pushing down all the confusing feelings inside of himself, Luca stormed off to the kitchen where he grabbed his blazer and waited for Gia to return. 

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