Chapter 6 - The Woman Upstairs
I marched into Bellaforte at 11:08 p.m.
This time, I wore shoes.
Progress.
Luca was sitting alone at the bar.
He looked up when I entered.
“I thought we discussed the music.”
“It's eleven.”
“I can still hear it.”
“Then your hearing is excellent.”
I sat beside him.
He slid a glass of water toward me.
“You don't drink?”
“I have work tomorrow.”
“You always have work tomorrow.”
“Some of us have normal jobs.”
His eyebrow rose.
“You consider putting your hands inside angry dogs normal?”
“More normal than whatever you do.”
“Fair.”
Silence settled between us.
Comfortable silence.
That was new.
I looked toward him.
“Why are you still downstairs?”
“What?”
“The danger is over.”
“Mostly.”
“You don't need to protect the building anymore.”
“No.”
“Then why haven't you left?”
Luca turned his glass slowly.
Then looked at me.
“Maybe I like the neighborhood.”
“You own half of Chicago.”
“Not half.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
I rolled my eyes.
Then noticed something on the shelf behind the bar.
The fire extinguisher.
My fire extinguisher.
A small brass plaque had been attached beneath it.
NORA'S FIRST WARNING
I stared at him.
“You mounted it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“It was memorable.”
“You're impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
I stood.
Luca caught my wrist gently.
The humor disappeared from his expression.
“Nora.”
I looked down at his hand.
Then at him.
He released me immediately.
That mattered.
More than he probably knew.
“What?”
“I bought the building to protect you.”
“I know.”
“But I'm keeping it because I want to stay.”
My heart stumbled.
“Why?”
His eyes held mine.
“You really need me to explain?”
Suddenly the terrifying man who had faced criminals without blinking looked almost uncertain.
It was strangely adorable.
I leaned closer.
“Maybe.”
Luca exhaled.
“You walked into my meeting dressed like a sleep-deprived college student carrying a fire extinguisher.”
“Strong opening.”
“You insulted me.”
“You deserved it.”
“You threatened to call the police.”
“You were loud.”
“You refused my protection fourteen times.”
“Fifteen.”
“And somehow…”
He paused.
“Somehow you're the first person in years who looks at me and sees a man before a name.”
The joke died on my lips.
I understood then.
Everyone feared Luca Moretti.
His employees obeyed him.
His enemies watched him.
His allies needed him.
I had simply wanted him to turn down the trumpet.
I reached for his hand.
His fingers closed around mine.
“So what happens now?” I asked.
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether you're still planning to threaten me every time I annoy you.”
“Absolutely.”
Luca smiled.
“Good.”
May you like
Then he kissed me.
---
