“You don’t know me either Luca.” I said sitting back onto my ass and channelling a new kind of power. “But you should know I’m no whore, you know that much about me at least.”
“Then stop acting like one around my men.” Damn him, he couldn’t even look me in the eyes when he said that.
I shook my head a sly smile on my face.
“I was dancing, I wasn’t taking my clothes off or dragging men upstairs like half the women here tonight. For Christ’s sake Luca give me some credit.”
Suddenly and uncharacteristically he nodded, “I know. I’m sorry.” He whispered so quietly I even found it difficult to hear myself and then he turned to leave, closing my door behind him.
I lay back down and let out a confused frustrated sigh. What the fuck was all that about? In all the years I’d known Luca Marquez and in all the times he’d broken my heart; that was the first time I’d ever heard him say the word ‘sorry’.
Chapter 9
The next morning I put on some black ripped skinny jeans and a tight beige sweater, tied my hair up into a high ponytail and headed downstairs to face up to my shitty situation and deal with the events of last night. The living area was empty and surprisingly tidy considering it had been virtually trashed just hours before. I went through into the kitchen to find Leo, Vinnie and Marco sitting at the table drinking coffee and looking hung over and decidedly sorry for themselves.
“Morning guys, enjoy your night?” I said rather too loudly and chuckled when Leo held his hands over his ears in disgust at my volume.
“You don’t look like you’re suffering like us.” Vinnie replied, his eyes looked like piss holes in the snow.
“Ha! I could drink anyone of you under the table and then some. I know how to hold my drink you know. I’m well trained.”
Vinnie nodded as if he was impressed, “Was that another trick your Daddy taught you?”
“Too right.” I smiled slyly, “If you’re gonna hustle a guy you gotta be able to keep a clear head whilst drinking with him.”
I poured myself a coffee and sat down next to Vinnie.
“Where’s the boss this morning? Is he hiding in his room hanging like a pussy like the rest of you?” I asked trying to hide my anticipation that Luca could walk in at any moment.
“He left for work hours ago. Boss rarely drinks, I think he was stone cold sober last night. He told us to get clear heads and then join him later. He doesn’t want the stench of stale alcohol all over his office.”
I laughed, “At a nightclub, is her serious? The whole place must wreak of stale alcohol every morning.”
“Not if the boss is around. He has very high standards.” Marco said with an air of admiration and sticking his nose in the air as he sipped his coffee and gazing out the window. “Shame some of us here don’t have the same standards in our own lives.”
I didn’t know if that was aimed at me or the other two. I’d hoped it was to Leo and his fuck fest with the blonde but knowing Marco it could mean either one of us.
“I feel just fine about my life and what I do.” I snapped back, “I pay my way legitimately and I’m training to be a doctor, you know…help out others in their time of need and become a useful member of society. My standards are the right side of the law. Can you say the same Marc?” I hit that ball right back into his side of the court. I’d be damned if I was gonna let anyone stand in judgement of my life choices.
“Good for you Chloe. Make sure you keep it that way.” He replied glancing over at Vinnie with a sour face as he said that last part.
“I will.” I stood from the table and made my way out to the pool. I wasn’t in the mood for Marco’s sanctimonious bullshit.
Minutes later I heard someone approaching my sun lounger.
“Chloe, I’m sorry about last night. I hope I didn’t get you into trouble.” Vinnie sat down in the lounger next to mine, his feet planted on the floor and his hands laced together in between his knees.
“Don’t worry about it Vinnie, it’s all good.” I sighed. I was about to tell him that Luca even apologised but thought better of it. That was something I wanted to keep to myself, to keep private. I also knew Luca wouldn’t appreciate anyone else knowing what we said to each other when no one else was around, especially an apology like that.
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Vinnie started fidgeting next to me and I sensed he wasn’t finished with our conversation.
“What’s up?” I asked feeling slightly irritated that he wouldn’t just come out with it. I hated indecisive men…well anyone indecisive really. I wanted to tell Vinnie to grab any opportunity by the balls and just go for it, but then I suppose that would have given him the wrong impression about my possible reaction to his ‘cease the day’ moment.
“I just…I was wondering…it’s silly really and you can say no…”
“Just spit it out for Christ sakes.” I snapped a bit too rudely.