Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

Lucy: The highlight of my night is texting you. Somehow going out with Bell always ends up with me sitting at the bar waiting for her to finish with the line of guys wanting to dance with her.

Me: I find it hard to believe you don’t have your own line. You’re not sending out that Don’t-approach, I’m-a-bitch vibe, are you?

Lucy: I’m too shocked by your response to respond.

Me: I’m pretty sure that was a response.

Lucy: Ha-ha. You’re so funny. I’m going to miss your face, you know that?

My stomach churns as I text back that I was going to miss her too. I feel so guilty about lying to her. I’d be seeing her every single day. Only she’ll have no idea I’m even there. In the back of my mind, I’m terrified of when she finds out. Not if, because I know everything comes out eventually. I couldn’t handle her hating me.

I need her in my life, in one way or another.

Chapter 6

Lucy

I slide the key into the lock and turn, my heart racing, as Bella bounces up and down next to me. This is really happening. And if letting my father choose and pay for this place was the price I had to pay, it was worth it. The building is literally across the street from the studio where I’ll be spending most of the next eight weeks training. It has more security than home—which says a lot, considering my father, but I’m used to that.

While I don’t get involved in my father’s business, I know enough to be cautious. As respected as he is, he has a lot of enemies, people who would relish the chance to bring him down. I’m the most important thing in his life—which puts me at risk too.

Part of me is disappointed that I’m not able to experience the thrill of finding my own place, but the bright side was it had everything I could have wanted anyway. With two bedrooms, a nice, well-stocked kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, my own laundry, and even a small balcony, the apartment had sounded perfect when my dad initially told me about it.

Walking inside, I take in the tones of gray and white and the modern architecture of my new pad. It’s fully furnished with expensive, modern pieces that make it feel like I’m staying in an expensive hotel rather than my own place.

“Holy shit, Luce. I wish my parents would fork out the cash for this kind of place.” I laugh, and turn to Bella, shaking my head. I’d been so caught up in the moment that I’d forgotten she was there. “No, seriously. I expected your dad to go all out, but this is insane. I’m totally moving here with you. That’s what the second bedroom is for, right?” she asks, her eyes sparkling.

“Don’t tease me like that,” I grumble. “You know I’d love to have you live in New York with me.” I also knew she’d never leave Chicago. As much as she complained about her parents and her big family, I knew they meant the world to her. Not being able to see her nieces and nephews every day would crush her.

“Okay, so I probably wouldn’t move here, but I’m totally going to visit so much you wouldn’t know I wasn’t living here,” she says, giggling.

“You’re welcome to stay whenever you like. You can even bring your new boyfriend,” I joke.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she grumbles.

“Maybe not yet,” I crack, laughing. “Come on, Bell. I’ve never seen you this way over a guy before.”

“Yeah, well, I have never felt this way before. It’s freaking me out. I mean, I think about him when we’re not together. What’s up with that?” she grumbles.

“Awww, little Bell is in luurve,” I tease.

“Shut up, or I will stop speaking to you. Then what would you do? You’d go crazy sitting in that little room, rocking back and forth with no one to talk to,” she says, her voice smug.

“Okay.” I surrender, holding up my hands. “I’ll change the subject.”

“I’ll do it for you,” she says, putting her tongue out. “So, your first night in New York. What you wanna do?”

“Nothing?” I suggest, a smile forming on my lips.

Bella stretches out on my new sofa while I sit cross-legged on the floor in front of the TV. She frowns at me, obviously unhappy with my answer. After unpacking and spending most of the afternoon lying down watching movies, I’m both hungry and exhausted. With training starting tomorrow, I doubt I’ll be getting much sleep tonight, and I know Bella is keen to go out and party.

“Fine, let’s go out,” I say, wincing as she lets out a squeal.

“Let me get dressed and we’ll go. I heard about this totally cool little club just down one of the streets on Broadway. Go put on that black sparkly dress I got you last year that you never wear.”

I snort but get to my feet, knowing there’s no use arguing. In my room I forage through my new closet until I find the dress. Slipping it over my head, I tug at the hem, wishing it wasn’t so damn short. Going out naked wouldn’t be much more revealing than this.

Running my brush through my hair, I pile it on top of my head in a messy bun and run some mascara over my lashes. I’m lucky that I have pretty clear skin, meaning I don’t need much makeup. When I’m done, I grab my purse and walk back out into the living room to wait for Bella.