Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

I follow along the sidewalk a few blocks behind them, careful not to blow my cover. Luce doesn’t make friends easily, so seeing her so relaxed and comfortable around this guy makes me suspicious. She’s not even this relaxed around me.

This isn’t the behavior of someone who is afraid. She has to know I’m here.

I cross the street as they turn into a bar. There is a dark alleyway opposite the entrance of the bar that is perfect for me to wait in.

I crouch down and pull out my phone. A few people walk past and give me a wide berth. I chuckle, wondering if I really look that dodgy. Then I remember it’s New York. Everyone is suspicious here.

—

Sighing, I check my phone again. I feel like I’ve been sitting here for hours and I’m not that far off—she’s been in there with him for over two. I’m beginning to get annoyed. I should be glad she’s getting out and having some fun, but I’m not. I’m just pissed she’s not with me.

I stand and stretch, pulling my jacket tighter around me. My legs are going numb and I’m fucking freezing. The sun has gone down completely now, leaving a cool chill in the air. I take a few steps back and forth down the street, stepping over remnants of garbage and avoiding what looks like a passed-out dude sleeping under a couple of empty boxes. I note the empty bottle of whiskey next to him.

In the distance, I hear Lucy laugh. Jerking my head around, I see her and her friend leaving the bar. My jaw twitches as she caresses his arm before leaning up to give him a kiss on the cheek. They talk for a few more minutes and then walk in separate directions.

“What a fucking gentleman,” I mumble. Leaving her to walk home alone? I give her a few seconds’ head start and then dart across the street, blending into a small group of people leaving a restaurant. I follow her all the way home and wait until I see her safely enter the elevator.

With my hands shoved into my pockets, I wander back home. Maybe this was all a one-time thing. Her odd behavior doesn’t automatically mean she knows I’m here. Bullshit and you know it. She knows you’re here and she’s punishing you for it.

And if that’s the case, I wonder how far she’ll go to make her point.

Chapter 18

Lucy

Jacob waves at me as I walk into the studio. I smile back, but my smile falters slightly when Melody, another girl in class who has kept her distance from me since day one, whispers something to him. I’m a little disappointed at how last night turned out. I don’t know what I was expecting, but there had been nothing to indicate Pietro was annoyed. I have to step up my game. I’m determined to make him break his cover. I thought my going out the emergency exit and walking the long way to training yesterday was pure genius. I just hoped he was around to see it.

Melody glares at me as she storms past. I don’t know what her problem is, but she hates me. I shake it off, determined not to let whatever it is up her ass get to me. Jacob wanders over to me as I’m beginning my stretches.

“She really hates you,” he says, and chuckles, nodding toward Melody. Honestly, I don’t think the girl has ever said hi to me once.

“I don’t doubt that hatred has something to do with us hanging out.” I tease. “And thanks for last night. I had fun. We should do it again.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grins, giving me a wink. “Maybe Ana and Dallas can join us next time.”

During training, Marcus announces that they’ll be choosing the final five dancers, the ones who will be joining the company, the following Monday. I’m nervous, and my nerves triple when he announces who will be present for Monday’s session. He rattles off five of the biggest names in ballet, including Anna Kalasia, the company’s top ballerina. The thought of dancing for her makes me physically sick. Monday was going to make the audition feel like a dance around my living room.

The rest of the session I find it hard to concentrate on my dancing. All I can think about is how important Monday is for me. The problem is, I know I’m just going to psych myself out by thinking about it. If Pietro were here, he’d tell me to pretend I’m dancing back at my studio at home. My heart pangs. I miss our talks. What I should do is grow up and talk to the guy, but I can’t get past the hurt I’m feeling from his lying to me. My father, I understand. I’ve been dealing with that for years. But Pietro—I thought we had something. I thought that no matter what, he had my back. There’s no worse a feeling than not being able to trust somebody you’ve fallen in love with.

After training, Jacob waits for me by the door. I smile as I approach him, a twinge of guilt hitting me. The poor guy doesn’t deserve to be used like this. I shake the feeling off and throw my bag over my shoulder.

I’m not using him. We’re friends.

“You did well today. I wish I could hit those points as high as you do.”

“Thanks,” I say, and grin. “Are you nervous about Monday?”

“Not really.” He shrugs. “I didn’t actually expect to get this far, so anything is a bonus.” I’m instantly warmed by his laid-back attitude. The more time I spend with Jacob, the less I have to force myself to relax. “You up for a bite to eat? There’s this really cool place a few blocks from here that I’m heading to anyway.”

I glance over at Melody, who is shooting me daggers.

“You sure your girlfriend doesn’t mind?”

“She’s hardly my type,” he says. He laughs, shaking his head. “For some reason, she kind of attached herself to me.”

I can understand why, but I don’t say anything.

“Dinner sounds good,” I say instead. If he’s going there anyway, then there’s nothing for me to feel guilty about by tagging along. “You lead the way.” I look around for Ana, but she’s already left. Shrugging, I follow Jacob out.