Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

“You’re leaving?” he asks, incredulous.

“Sorry, we’ll catch up properly soon, okay?” Chase mutters something under his breath. I ignore him and kick back my seat, grabbing my keys and my phone. “See you later, guys.”

—

“Pietro.”

I turn and see Lucy running toward me. Her bright blue eyes lock onto mine, and she smiles. My heart pounds as I watch her move. She’s so graceful and delicate. And not to mention stunning. The way her long dark hair hangs in waves over her slender shoulders, her porcelain skin glowing as she grins at me.

“Father said I could go. He’s given me his blessing. Can you believe it?” She lets out a laugh. “I sure as hell can’t. It had to have been something you said.”

“I just told him what he already knew,” I say, embarrassed. “Deep down, he realized there was no stopping you.”

“Well, thank you,” she whispers. She takes my hand and leans forward, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

And you have no idea how much I hate the thought of you leaving.

“I have to go. Bell is taking me out to celebrate. Speak later, okay?”

She pats my arm and races off toward Bella, who has just pulled up in her red sports car. It is hard enough watching her leave for a few hours. I don’t even want to think about her leaving forever.

Sighing, I turn back around and make tracks toward the house. I’ve got no idea what Giovanni wants to talk to me about. Frankly, I don’t care. All I wanna do is go home, pour myself a drink, and slump in front of the TV.

Is it too much to ask?

I walk through to the formal dining room, which has been set up for two people. Alsia stands at the head of the table pouring wine into the wineglass that sits in front of Giovanni. She glances up and smiles at me.

“Wine, Mr. Pietro?” she asks in her gentle, soft voice.

“Thank you.” I smile at her as I take my seat opposite Giovanni.

The smell of fish and fresh herbs restores my senses. I look at the spread set out between us, my mouth salivating. No wonder I’m so hungry. I skipped lunch. The last thing I ate was cake when I was with Lucy in the kitchen.

“Eat,” Giovanni orders, waving his hands over the food. I dish myself up a serving of fish and salad.

“I ran into Lucy outside. She told me you gave her your blessing.”

“You sound surprised,” Giovanni grumbles.

“I guess I am. After our last conversation.” I laugh. “She’ll be fine, you know,” I assure him. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Lucy can take care of herself.

“I know she will be.” Giovanni grins. “Because you’ll be there, watching her.”

Chapter 5

Pietro

“What?” I say, sure I misheard him. His gleaming smile assures me I didn’t. Everything begins to click into place. Of course he wouldn’t let her go without ensuring he had someone to watch over her.

“You’ll be going to New York. You were pushing me to let her go, no?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Yes, but having me follow her kind of defeats the whole point I was trying to convey.” I laugh.

I rub my jaw. Me going to New York to look out for Lucy? I have to admit, I wasn’t completely against the idea. It sure beats staying here, pining over her. I wouldn’t admit this to Giovanni or Lucy, but I worried about her too. Giovanni’s business interests meant he upset a hell of a lot of people. There were plenty of people out there capable of hurting Lucy to avenge a wrongdoing of her father’s.

“She’ll kill you if she finds out,” I mutter. “Not to mention what she’d do to me.”

“So, don’t let her find out.” He shrugs as if it were that simple. I shake my head and lean back. He grins at me like he knows I’ll say yes. The bastard knows I’d do anything for him and Lucy. “I’ll set you up in an apartment close by. I don’t expect you to shadow her 24/7, just make sure she’s okay. You can handle that, can’t you?”