Worship (Sinful Series Book 2)

by Trilina Pucci

  Michael wipes the corner of his mouth with his napkin.

  “We met online. Not the sexiest start to dating, but she messaged me, and I was obviously pretty excited to have such a beautiful woman wanting to date me, so I jumped at the opportunity.”

  I smile from my spot under his heavy arm.

  “Online dating’s happily ever after. You guys should be on one of those commercials,” Vinnie laughs.

  I roll my eyes at his grin and squirm, hoping Michael pulls his arm off me. I look up, and Luca is watching me, much too pleased.

  “You weren’t worried about getting catfished? Like you said, Gretchen’s out of your league. How much do you really know about her?” Luca jokes like a true asshole, wagging his eyebrows, and Drew laughs.

  I cut my eyes at her, and she immediately looks contrite, mouthing, “I’m sorry.”

  “I know enough,” Michael answers.

  It’s clear that Michael doesn’t like Luca’s questions. Neither do I.

  Luca leans back into his chair and takes a swig of his drink.

  “Yeah. Tell us something.”

  “What?” Michael asks, confused.

  Luca smirks.

  “You said you know enough…tell me. We’ll start easy. What’s her favorite color?”

  Oh no, I hate everything about what’s unraveling in front of me. This can only end badly. Luca is looking for an excuse to pop Michael in the jaw, and if he digs and prods hard enough, he’ll find a justification.

  Michael takes his arm off from my shoulder and joins his hands on the table. “I don’t know.” His tone is brittle.

  “It’s red,” Luca counters. He’s right.

  “This is stupid,” I interject, but I’m ignored by both men, who are now leaning forward over the table, staring each other down.

  Jesus Christ. Are they fucking kidding?

  “What’s her favorite movie?” Luca throws out.

  Michael crosses his arms.

  “I don’t know. We tend to stop watching after the first few minutes.”

  Wait, what? I’ve never even watched a movie with him. I start to open my mouth, but Luca doesn’t give me the chance.

  “Sixteen Candles, because she’s in love with that pussy Jake Ryan.”

  “Hold on. Wait a minute…” I say, irritated, and Blair looks at me with saucers for eyes.

  Luca ignores me and starts a rapid fire.

  “Favorite food? Favorite season? Why does she hate tube socks? Do you know her conspiracy theory about Valentine’s Day, Mikey? Huh? What do you know…?”

  “Apparently not as much as you, but since she never fucking spoke of you, I didn’t think you were very important,” Michael shoots back, seemingly pleased with himself.

  I throw my hands up, my patience hitting its limit. Dante laughs in the background, enjoying the show as he eats his pasta.

  I look at Dom.

  “You going to say something?”

  He just smiles, leans back in his chair, and holds his hands up in retreat. Asshole. They all are.

  Each of the guys seems more amused than worried, but none of them would stop Luca. They would help him bury the body though, and that’s what I’m worried about.

  Luca winks at me and looks back to Michael, his voice taking on a sinister tone.

  “Here’s one… Which is your personal favorite, Mikey? The sound she makes when she eats something delicious or the soft purr she makes when she’s being—”

  “Enough!” I smack my hands down on the table and stand, pushing my chair back. “Have you both lost your minds? This ends now.” All eyes at the table are on me.

  Michael looks defensive, lips thinned and eyes narrowed. He places his napkin on the table and rests back in his chair. He has every right to be angry; he just doesn’t know how angry.

  I don’t love Michael, and before tonight, I didn’t know how long I wanted to keep dating him. But the emptiness was too much to bear, so I filled it with the first available body. I should feel worse about it, but I don’t, because the alternative was terrifying.

  Luca looks entertained. I know exactly what he’s doing and why. If I won’t give in, he’ll find a way to make me. He knows I would never roll over for him, but he’s damned sure he’ll make Michael exist on his back, like a submissive puppy, because that guarantees I’ll never touch the guy again. He’s right and so fucking sneaky.

  But he underestimates me because neither one is my favorite person right now.

  “I’ve got one for both of you. Do you know the one thing I hate the most?” I snap at both of them. The whole table is still watching me.

  “Guys named Michael?” Luca answers, his eyes fixed on Michael.

  “Wannabe tough guys?” Michael answers, and Luca stills, his drink halfway to his mouth.

  Antonio tips the scales first and barks out a deep laugh. All the other guys follow suit. I can’t help myself, and I put my face in my hands, exasperated by these men.

  “What’s so funny?” Michael whispers to me as I sit down.

  “Michael, there aren’t any ‘wannabes’ at this table. So, let’s move on. Stop trying to have a pissing contest with Luca. Even if you win, you lose.”

  He looks at me and swallows hard, reality sinking in. My eyes follow Michael’s to where Luca sits nodding his head.

  Michael looks aptly nervous, and I take his hand in mine. I hate Luca for enjoying this so much. I point at Luca angrily.

  “And fuck you for having some kind of pissing contest. I’m not your prize—you don’t treat me like some silly girl who’s happy to get attention. We’re equals.”

  Blair snaps her fingers in a circle and looks at Antonio, who shrugs and looks away sheepishly.

  Drew points at me. “Mmhmm. All of that. Yes.” Don’t ever fuck with smart girls.

  Luca taps his glass heavily against the table, and I bite out, “See, spankings can be pleasurable and punishing.”

  I’m angry that Luca would reduce us to such a ridiculous show, and I want him to know it. He looks away, the muscles in his jaw strained.

  “You should remember my place next time, Luca.”

  When he looks back, his eyes are dark, angry. He’s pissed at me for calling him out. Karma’s a bitch. His deep gravel echoes through the room.

  “You should remember my place, Angel. Seems you’re on the wrong side of the table.” Michael tenses, and the vibe in the room turns from petty to murderous.

  “Gretchen, why don’t we settle down now. It was all fun and games, it just went too far…” Michael adds with a lot less strength than he possessed before. Idiot.

  Luca points at Michael, keeping his eyes on me, his face murderous.

  “Now’s when he stops.” I squeeze Michael’s hand, and Luca’s face shoots to where they’re joined before he says, “And Mikey, you’d be better served to keep your hands to yourself. You know, if you want to keep them.”

  Luca sits back in his chair, smiling at me, as Michael pulls his hand from mine.

  Michael sits up straighter, looking a bit more nervous than he did before, and I feel terrible and irritated that Luca intimidated him so easily. I’m going to kill Luca.

  “Don’t worry, Mikey, we’re all out of cement.” Dom smirks, and Nico laughs.

  Dom takes a bite of food before turning his attention to Drew, who is glaring at him from across the table. She points her finger at him, and he pretends to be injured, grabbing his chest.

  Lyla tries to change the subject by getting everyone to gather for a picture.

  “You guys fight later; right now, I want the godparents and the parents in a picture.”

  Drew nods in agreement.

  “You can’t say no,” she snaps at Luca. “I’m pregnant and that means everyone has to say yes to everything I say.” He laughs and stands, fight forgotten.

  God, I love her—such a knack for diffusion.

  I stand, and Michael looks at me.

  “You owe me an explanation later.”

>   “I do,” I agree before turning to walk to the opposite side of the table where a wall of roses grows.

  It’s the perfect backdrop. I smile as Blair comes over with her phone, and Lyla arranges me and Drew, stepping back as Blair snaps a few photos of us. I laugh as Drew immediately asks to see the photos and zooms in to check for a bump. Luca’s arm slides around my waist, and I tense.

  “Me next,” he says to Blair.

  I melt a bit at his touch, and I hate how much I like it. Even after he showed his assholery, I still want to affix myself to him. Maybe if only to strangle him for his behavior.

  “Will you behave, please?” I chastise under my breath, and he just grins before planting a kiss to my cheek as Blair takes a photo. I push him back gently.

  “That’s the opposite of my request.”

  My words are laced with a quiet irritation.

  “One more, it’s blurry,” Blair says, and I roll my eyes.

  Luca pulls me close to him.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt him.”

  “You’re acting like this because you’re jealous,” I accuse, nestling in to the comfort of his body, looking at Blair’s phone and smiling.

  Luca brings his mouth to my ear.

  “Why would I be jealous? I just fucked his girlfriend in the pantry.”

  My back straightens, and I spin to look at him as Blair calls out for Dom and Drew to join us. Luca brushes a hair behind my ear.

  “Promise you’ll hear me out and I’ll play nice.”

  I knew I was being set up. His face is bright, excited at his little game of cat and mouse, and god help me, because I love it. I’m completely sucked in, totally unable to resist him and his asshole ways.

  “Fine,” I reluctantly agree.

  “Forgive me, baby.”

  Luca puts his hand on my back, and we turn to take the picture with all of us together.

  “I can’t make any promises,” I answer, and his fingers brush the flesh on my lower back, making my pussy slick.

  I break from the group the moment Blair says done and head back to my seat, smiling as Michael begins to stand to pull out my chair, but Luca beats him to it and pushes it back in.

  “You’re good, Mikey. I got it from here.”

  Michael sits down like a good puppy, completely emasculated, and I shoot Luca a look like “What the fuck.”

  He just said he’d behave. Luca’s arm snakes around my waist, and my arms lift slightly as I appraise his possession of me.

  “What are you doing?” I hiss quietly, and he shushes me.

  Blair reaches her knife out and gently taps her glass. “A toast,” she calls out, and everyone joins in, looking to me and Luca. I’d forgotten about this part.

  Luca winks at me, squeezing my waist gently. I plaster a smile on my face and take a deep breath. Luca motions his hand for everyone to settle down. The voices begin to hush, and I smile back at Drew’s beaming face.

  This is why we’re here, this beautiful moment, and I’m suddenly happy that Luca is standing next to me for this moment. This is how I want to remember tonight. I glance up at him, there’s understanding in his eyes. He always knows just what I want.

  I grab my wine from the table.

  “Okay, as the most amazing godmother slash aunt, I’ll start by saying that this baby or babies,” I say with a wink to Dom’s grumbles, and everyone laughs, “will always have my whole heart.” Drew covers her mouth and blows me a kiss. “I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. The love you share comes once in a lifetime, and when you find it, you hold on to it because it’s a treasure you’ll never find again.” Luca squeezes me again, as I continue. “I’m so happy you’ve found that in each other. The world deserves more of the both of you.” Dante pats the table in support, and I giggle, willing my tears back. “I promise that I will always be there, present and loving, in your child’s life. Forever.”

  Drew’s eyes glisten, and Luca lets me go so I can walk around the table and hug her fiercely. I love my friend, and her happiness is everything I’ve ever wanted for her.

  Luca clears his throat to bring the attention back to himself, but I continue standing next to Drew, my hand in hers.

  Luca looks out, so handsome and charming.

  “I didn’t plan this. So, forgive me if it’s a terrible speech.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Michael’s eyebrows raise, but I ignore him.

  “I never thought I’d see the day that my brother would find someone who made him want to stop and smell the roses.” Luca looks directly at me. “But I guess that’s the King curse: we’re damned until we find the right woman. Once we do, they’re damned to love us.”

  Drew leans in to me. “You look like your heart is breaking all over again, G,” she whispers into my ear.

  One tear falls down my cheek.

  “That’s because it is.” I smile, and she wipes my face.

  She holds my hand tighter for the strength I need to make it for another few minutes. Nico yells out something I don’t catch, and Drew laughs, but I just stare at Luca, because I am exactly that—damned. I cheated on Michael. Luca cheated on Shelby. The one constant is that we keep clawing our way to each other. It’s me and Luca, forever trapped in our own misery if we can’t find a resolution.

  I shift my eyes to Drew, who smiles at me as Luca continues.

  “I couldn’t be more pleased that Drew is my sister and is queen to a man who loves to call himself King.” The table laughs at the moniker that most know Dom as. “I’m overjoyed that she’ll be the one to have my nephews.” Dom shakes his head again, tossing his napkin at Luca. “We all know that I’ll be the favorite uncle. It’s a given. But whether it’s a boy or girl, I promise to protect this child with my life, the way I would Ella.”

  Luca raises his glass to me at the last part. “Here’s to a lifetime of love, babies, and joy.” My heart stops beating, and Drew’s breath catches. He turns to the table and raises his glass to everyone. “Famiglia.” Family.

  Everyone raises their glasses and chimes in, but Luca keeps his eyes on me, and I don’t look away because I see what he’s feeling. It’s a sadness that I feel myself; I want to be his family, to share these moments with him, but that will never happen for us as a couple.

  The table quiets, and I turn to Drew.

  “I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to call it a night. Would you mind?”

  “I’m sorry I tricked you. I didn’t see it until now. I love you, G.”

  I know she means it. Nobody knows the depths of my feelings for Luca, because if I say it out loud, then I have to mourn the loss. It stings too much, so I pack it away for another day. Denial is my superpower.

  I walk back to my seat. Luca is on his own side. I stare over to where he sits, honed in on me, probably my thoughts too, because I can’t help but be an open book to him.

  His fingers twist his glass round and round as his jaw flexes. He’s such a dangerous and beautiful man. His passion is matched only by his rage, and sometimes, they feel the same because each is equally as terrifying. When do we stop hurting each other in an effort to make the other submit? How bloody are we willing to get?

  The realization washes over me, and I laugh quietly to myself as my thoughts still. My love for him runs so deep within me that I’m willing to take his hate if that means I get him for another second. Because I don’t just love him; I’m possessed by him, wholly.

  Luca’s eyes falter, and I see his regret, but only because he sees my pain. His manipulation of me is what breaks my heart.

  We don’t lie, we don’t manipulate. It’s a desperate act, and I hate myself for being his accomplice. Everything disappears as we stare at each other across the table, and his brow furrows. I close my eyes, unable to look anymore. It’s too raw, too painful. And if we don’t stop this, we’re going to tear each other apart, bit by bit.

  I turn to Michael and smile.

  “I’m not feeling well. Let’s call it a night?”

>   Michael’s eyes are filled with relief, and he nods.

  “Of course.” He pushes his chair back and stands. “I’ll get your coat.”

  “Thank you,” I answer, suddenly exhausted.

  I rise and make my apologies to the table for leaving, blaming an oncoming headache. Luca begins to stand, and Antonio grips his shoulder, whispering, “You’re the headache, dickhead. Leave her alone for a minute.” But I catch it.

  “Don’t go. I’ll go,” Luca offers quietly, ignoring Antonio.

  I just shake my head and hug Drew again, giving everyone a small wave. Michael waves too, and I walk with him through the house. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. I don’t, but it doesn’t matter, because I feel him watching.

  I INHALE THE CRISP, COOL morning air, letting my lungs fill. I brought Rose and Ella to the park this morning, to clear my head. There’s too much shit fighting for priority in my mind. I exhale and walk back to where I started the day, at the swings with my giggling almost one-year-old.

  “She’s getting fearless,” I laugh to Rose and take over pushing.

  Ella squeals each time the swing goes higher, and I raise my eyebrows, mirroring her excitement.

  “She is, but I’m not—perhaps a little less high would be advisable,” Rose squeaks out.

  I laugh and slow Ella, much to her disappointment. She kicks out her legs, wanting to go higher, and I look at Rose and poke my bottom lip out.

  “You and that baby will succeed in giving me a heart attack.”

  She smiles at me, and I laugh again, looking past her to see a man sitting on a bench reading the paper, shadowed by a very burly individual. Interesting.

  I stop the swing and pull Ella from it.

  “Rose, it’s time for you to take Ella home. I have some business to attend to. Go with George.”

  She nods and follows my gaze, then looks back with understanding.

  I hand Ella over and watch them walk to the car where George is already waiting. He nods to me, and I know he saw them too.

  I turn and push the swing out of the way and make my way to the bench, taking a seat next to the man, crossing one leg over the other and placing my joined hands in my lap.

  “Uncle.” I turn my head to look at his face.