Morning sex was everything it was cracked up to be.
Luca cuddled me into his naked chest afterwards. I could hear his rapid heart rate slowing as my ear pressed against his skin.
I looked down where my hand was resting against his torso, seeing the diamond ring.
Wiggling my finger, I watched the sparkle of the radiant-cut gem in the morning light that filtered in through the window behind the bed.
"Do you like it?" Luca asked me, his voice drowsy and deep. Those were the first words he'd spoken that morning, despite the fact that we'd been awake for several minutes.
I looked up to him and smiled, nodding my head before looking back at the ring.
"It's mesmerizing," I admitted.
"Now you know how I feel when I look at you."
I poked his abs at the cheesy comment, making him chuckle.
Just before he could say something else, we both heard his phone vibrating on the nightstand where it laid. He turned over to look at the screen, putting the phone back down unanswered.
"Who is that?" I asked.
"Bates," he sighed.
"You're not going to see what he wants?"
"If it's important, he'll text me. He only calls when he wants to talk my ear off."
I hummed, laying my head back down against him.
The room was silent for a few moments before the phone began to buzz again, causing Luca to let out a sigh of frustration.
"Answer it," I told him, seeing that it was Bates calling again.
He shook his head stubbornly and I reached across him to grab the phone myself.
"Hi Bates," I answered, putting the phone up to my ear.
"Hello Carol," he said. "How has your morning been?"
I laughed nervously.
"Good, yours?"
"Peachy. Can I talk to Luca?"
I handed Luca the phone, who took it from me begrudgingly.
"What?"
I heard Bates's muffled mumbling on the other line as Luca rolled his eyes in reaction to whatever Bates was saying.
"I changed the code," Luca said defensively. "Everyone got a little too comfortable coming over unannounced."
His eyebrows furrowed as Bates continued.
"What do you mean you've been sitting outside for twenty minutes?" He asked, sitting up in the bed.
I sat up with him, pulling the blanket up to cover myself.
Luca groaned.
"Can it wait?"
He paused as he listened to Bates respond.
"Fine, give me two minutes to change."
I couldn't help but frown as he got out of the bed.
Luca let out a long sigh as he turned back to look at me.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I'm going to deal with this and I'll be back, okay?"
I nodded.
"Everything alright?" I asked.
"Of course," he replied, winking.
I watched as he walked into his closet and changed into a sweatshirt and gym shorts.
As soon as he had left the bedroom, I got up to change as well before walking out into the living room. I tried not to make the soreness I felt through the entire lower half of my body obvious.
Luca was unlocking the side door for Bates when I walked into the kitchen to make my tea. Bates stepped in, eyeing Luca cautiously.
He walked into the kitchen, stopping dead in his tracks as he saw me.
I knew as soon as I made eye contact with him that we'd been found out.
Bates's jaw dropped as he lifted his arms and pointed a finger at Luca and I. He looked between us in shock for a few moments, eyes wide.
"You didn't?" He asked incredulously.
"Bates," Luca warned.
"You are in such deep shit!" Bates hollered, looking at Luca.
He let out a bellowing laugh, his mouth still open in surprise.
"I mean, it was about fucking time, don't get me wrong..."
He cleared his throat.
"No pun intended," he added quickly.
Luca closed his eyes as he drew in a deep breath and I turned away to fill the kettle with water, hoping Bates couldn't see that I was holding back a laugh.
"Duuuuuuude," Bates said, turning back to Luca. "Is that why you changed the password to the gate?"
"I changed the password because you do shit like this," Luca said, starting to get irritated. "What do you want? You said you were dealing with a crisis."
"Well, there is a crisis. But, it's more on Blaine's side of things, so you should go talk to him. I just came to deliver the message and to check up on her."
Bates turned to me.
"Obviously, she seems to be doing just fine," he said pointedly, wiggling his eyebrows.
Luca groaned as he grabbed his truck keys from the hook next to the door.
"Where is Blaine?" He asked.
"With Lincoln, at the tower," Bates responded.
Luca went to leave, stopping as he realized Bates made no move to follow him.
"Are you coming?" He asked, patience running thin.
"I've already been updated," Bates said, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm sure you don't need me to make any decisions."
Bates turned to me.
"Besides, it sounds like we have a lot to catch up on," he added.
Luca started to say something but I interrupted.
"He's just joking," I told Luca. "You should go see what's wrong. We'll be fine here."
He hesitated before walking out the side door, Bates immediately turning to me with a hand held high.
"Up top," he said, prompting me to high-five him.
I shook my head as I did so.
"Atta girl," he praised, laughing.
I started the kettle and began to pull out a frying pan to cook breakfast as Bates took a seat at the countertop.
"I'm surprised you're on your feet," he said honestly. "I would think dealing with Luca's third leg would leave someone your size bedridden for a few days."
I turned to look at Bates, shocked at his boldness.
He laughed at my expression.
"What?" He asked defensively. "I've seen it before and I'm secure enough in myself to say that I was rather impressed. However, I am curious as to how-"
I held up my hand to prevent him from asking what he was thinking.
"I'm not answering any questions."
Bates crossed his arms.
"Fine, keep your naughty secrets," he replied.
I made breakfast for the both of us, reigning in the conversation from venturing too far as we ate.
Bates laughed at me as I winced at the ache in my hips getting down from the stool. This caused him to have to defend himself against the fork I tried to stab him with.
He caught my hand mid-air, stopping the assault to stare at my ring.
"I liked the one I picked out better," he commented, observing it.
"That's not what you say upon seeing someone's engagement ring for the first time," I laughed.
"Oh, sorry," he said, clearing his throat.
"Oh my God, it's so gorgeous, I can't even," he said in a high-pitched voice. "How did he do it? Did he get down on one knee? Oh my God..."
I laughed.
"Yes," I answered. "He did, in fact, get down on one knee."
His eyebrows furrowed.
"Assuming this happened between yesterday morning and today," he guessed. "Did he propose here?"
I nodded.
"Where?" He asked, the crease between his eyebrows deepening.
"In his closet," I answered, giggling.
Bates raised an eyebrow.
"His closet?"
Just as he'd asked this, the side door opened and Luca walked inside, Blaine following him.
"You proposed in your closet?" Bates asked him.
Luca gave me a hard stare.
"How many details did you give him?" He asked me.
"She was conservative, to say the least," Bates assured him.
Blaine looked between the three of us, confusion marking his expression.
"They had sex and are now engaged," Bates clarified.
"Congratulations," Blaine said dryly.
Bates rolled his eyes at Blaine's less than enthusiastic tone.
"We've got to get going," Luca said to them.
He turned to me.
"I've got something to take care of," he said. "I'll be back a little bit later, okay?"
I nodded.
Luca went to change into jeans and a t-shirt before grabbing his backpack off the barstool next to me; planting a quick kiss on my lips as he walked to the door where Blaine and Bates were standing, cringing.
After cleaning up the breakfast dishes, I drove Luca's Jeep over to Cristina's house.
I was over there the majority of the day as I played with the kids and helped clean her house.
I decided that I thoroughly enjoyed Cristina's company. She reminded me a lot of Mady, very smart and decisive. She was also full of wisdom and I didn't mind the thought of that rubbing off on me after the past few days.
I enjoyed the interaction, but it made me miss my best friend.
I wished Mady was with me, I wanted her to be able to meet Luca. I wanted to fill her in on everything that had happened. It was the longest I'd ever been without seeing her.
While I knew I couldn't drive to Oregon, I did the next best thing: I drove to the water tower.
It was late-afternoon when I got there, the sun just disappearing behind the tops of the trees that surrounded the tower.
I walked inside and climbed the staircase to the top floor, where Lincoln was sitting behind a desk, hunched over as he stared into the glow of his computer monitor.
"Hi Lincoln," I said, earning his attention.
He turned to me and smiled briefly.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
I nodded.
"I was wondering if I could use your phone to call my friend," I said sheepishly.
"Oh, yeah, of course," he said, standing from his seat. "I actually have the phone Luca ordered for you. I just haven't been able to set it up yet with all the craziness going on."
"No worries," I assured him quickly.
"I'll have that set up for you before you leave," he told me, walking over to the desk where the landline was hooked up.
He pulled out a laptop and plugged in the USB drive to pull up my contacts.
"I'll be a few floors down if you need anything," he said, walking towards the spiral staircase.
I thanked him as I dialed Mady's number, watching him descend the stairs.
She answered on the second ring.
"Guess who?" I asked.
"Oh my God, you don't know how many telemarketer's calls I've answered thinking it may be you calling," she laughed, sounding relieved.
"Sorry, things got crazy here."
"No worries," she quickly assured me. "Are there people listening?"
"Nope, just us."
"I feel like I haven't talked to you in forever," she sighed. "I don't even know where to start."
"I know, same here. How are you? How did your finals go?"
"Not too bad. I did well on the ones that I've gotten grades for. I'll get the rest of my grades back in the next week."
"How are you?" I repeated.
Mady was silent for a few moments before I heard her let out a long exhale.
"Honestly?" She asked.
"Yes, honestly," I prodded.
"Not great, Carrie. Things are so weird here. My parents made me move down into their shitty basement. Dad even put a deadbolt on the door for me to lock when I'm down here. He's scared shitless and it's making him paranoid."
My eyebrows furrowed.
"Scared of what?"
"Your dad," she answered flatly. "He's... so strange now, Carrie. I can't even explain it."
I gulped the knot in my throat, debating on whether to tell her about the suspicions we had.
"Do you feel unsafe there?" I asked instead.
"I'm not going to lie. I'm a little freaked out. I didn't start feeling that way until my dad started to panic, though," she admitted. "He gave me a damn curfew. I haven't had a curfew since high school."
"What does he think my dad is going to do?" I asked.
"It's not just him," she sighed. "There's a few people in our pack that have gotten on board with his stupid plans. My dad is scared they would try to use me to get him to authorize the raid."
"I'm so sorry, Mady," I said, feeling helpless.
"No, stop it," she said sternly. "This isn't your fault at all. Somehow I think this has more to do with Luca and his pack. I get the feeling something else is going on."
"Like what?"
"I don't know," she said honestly.
A few moments of silence passed.
"Do you want to come and stay here?" I asked her.
"You're joking," she said slowly.
"I'm being one-hundred percent serious. I could leave right now and you would be here by tomorrow morning."
"I don't that would help," she said. "My dad is already losing it. I doubt me disappearing suddenly would aid the situation."
"But if you don't feel safe there-"
"I'm okay, Carrie. Really. Besides, I can't imagine Luca's pack would be any safer. Especially if my dad agrees to the raid."
"What do you mean if?" I asked. "He's not going to, right?"
"I don't know anymore. I see his resolve diminishing a little more everyday. I'm not sure what your dad is telling him, but he seems to be convincing," she said.
"Mady, that's a bad idea," I warned. "They can't do that. Luca's wolves here... they're not like our wolves at home. They actively train for things like this. They're prepared."
"I know that. My dad knows that. He's tried to tell your dad, he's just not getting through to him. I guess your dad thinks that because Johnathan was able to get through, so will they."
"Johnathan is dead, Mady," I said slowly. "Everyone else will be too if your dad doesn't end this, now."
I heard her sigh.
"We've got to stop talking about this," she said quickly. "Let's talk about anything else. Tell me about how you've been? How's life with your father's arch nemesis?"
I couldn't help but smile.
"It took a while," I admitted. "But I'm actually really happy."
"Hm, I'm assuming that means you've fucked Luca, then?" She asked.
I rolled my eyes, laughing.
"Well, if you must know-"
"Ha! I knew it!" She said. "Tell me everything, every nasty detail."
I glanced warily at Lincoln's phone, remembering how he said every call was recorded.
"How about I wait until I see you next?" I offered.
"Fine," she huffed. "I suppose those conversations are always better over margaritas anyways."
"I can tell you that I got a ring, though," I said, looking down at the diamond on my finger.
"Bitch, if you get married without me, so help me, God..."
"I won't," I assured her quickly, laughing. "I promise."
"Good," She laughed.
We were silent for a few moments before I spoke again.
"I miss you," I admitted. "I wish you were here."
"Me too," she agreed, sighing. "When all of this is over, I'm going to come and stay with you for a week."
"I'm looking forward to it already."
We talked for a while longer, until I noticed it was getting dark outside.
Promising I'd call again soon, we ended the conversation and I hung up the phone.
I looked over to where the USB was still plugged into the laptop, seeing all the files Lincoln had moved over from my old phone.
I sorted through them, looking through my photos and messages.
Then I came across another file folder. They were audio files, all dated the same day, around the same time.
I immediately recognized them as the sixteen voicemails my father had left as I clicked on the first one, hearing his voice spill through the laptop's speakers.
For the next few minutes, I listened in dumbfounded shock as my father ranted into the recording all the ways he would torture Luca when he saw him next, giving graphic details.
He growled into the phone his grotesque desires to see Luca suffer and die, even claiming he would mount his head on our wall.
I had tears in my eyes, my hands trembling as the last voicemail began to play.
"You should have died. You should have died at that hotel. I should have killed you myself. I will kill you. You should have died. You will die. I won't mess up again. I won't send someone. I'll do it myself. You will die. I will kill you. Did you hear me, Luca Ronan?!"
His voice got louder.
"I will kill you!"
I quickly shut the laptop, the audio stopping.
My heart was racing as I sat there, trying to process everything I'd heard.
I turned in my seat and nearly screamed in fright seeing Lincoln standing behind me, leaning against the table in the middle of the dark room.
"Luca wouldn't be very happy if he knew you heard all that," he said quietly.
"What the hell was that?" I asked. "What was he talking about?"
Lincoln looked down at the boots on his feet before taking a deep breath.
"Your dad and other members of his pack attempted to assassinate Luca while we were in Las Vegas," he admitted. "They were waiting for him at the meeting that began that morning. When he didn't show up, they sent someone to the hotel. Thankfully, he was out looking for you."
I felt my heart drop to my feet, leaning back against the chair I sat in.
"You saved his life," he told me.
I gulped.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lincoln looked at me solemnly.
"Logistically speaking, I was of the opinion you should have been aware sooner," he admitted. "But, as a mate, I understand his desire to protect you and shield you from this. My wife asks me everyday about work and I lie every time."
"Would you lie even if it was her family?" I asked.
He nodded.
"I want nothing more than for her to be happy," he said. "Sometimes that means dealing with the messy stuff on my own."
He reached out and handed me a white box. I opened it to see the brand-new phone inside.
"I added Luca's number in there," he told me. "I also put your friend's number in as well. Just be careful with calls lasting-"
"Longer than a minute and a half," I finished, sighing.
He nodded.
"Thank you," I told him, holding up the phone.
"You're welcome."
I quickly sent a text to Mady, letting her know I had a phone so she could call me directly, if needed.
As I drove home, I tried my hardest not to cry.
I wished desperately that I could rewind the last hour and never have listened to those voicemails. I wanted to pretend I'd never heard them because I wasn't quite sure what to do now that I had.
I was caught between wanting to be informed of every detail regarding my father and my pack but also wanting to stay naïvely unaware of the bad stuff.
Unfortunately, it didn't seem like I would ever get both.
- - -
There's just no winning, here. Bless her heart...
Don't forget to vote on the chapter and leave a comment with your thoughts and predictions!
I'll be posting the next chapter tomorrow morning at 8:30am (EST, New York time) so be sure to come back then for an update!
Peace, geese!
MaybeManhattan .x