Angelina
Luca was amazing throughout the whole ordeal of answering questions relating to the gallery. I was still in shock and angry that Viktor had stooped so low. He stroked my wrist continually, with gentle reassuring caresses. The officer asked the usual questions. Did I leave any electrical equipment on? Was there anything else I could think of which could help with these enquiries?
Um, yeah, sure. I’m being hunted by a demon who wants me and my two lovers dead. A monster who’d stop at nothing to get to us. Oh, and he loves to suck the life out of mortals like you and use them as his servants.
Really? If the situation wasn’t so dire, I’d have rolled around on the floor laughing.
“Do you have all you require, Officer?” Luca asked. “It’ll be over soon, bella.” He added his words like a soothing balm in my mind.
“Yes, sir. We have Miss Squires’ contact details if we need anything else.”
Salvatore entered soon afterwards, and when he sat next to me, my life was whole again.
“I can’t be without either of you. It rips my heart in two. Is this normal?” I asked, my tone hushed.
Salvatore brushed a tender kiss over my lips, followed by Luca. That answered my question without the need for words.
“I have to go to my apartment and try to explain all of this to Cassie and grab some more of my belongings.”
“Do you want us to come in with you?”
“Yes. I need you close to me. I must leave here as soon as possible. This place will only hold bad memories for me.”
“I know it doesn’t make up for the work you’ve lost, but you will be able to create many more stunning paintings in your studio.”
“Thanks, Luca. I certainly will.”
When we reached my apartment, I turned to face the brothers on the steps. “Let me deal with this. Just go along with what I say. Okay?”
They nodded.
“Hey, Cas,” I called out.
“Hey, lovely. Did you get your cherry seen… Oh, sorry. I didn’t realise you had company.”
The brothers chuckled in my mind.
“I want you to meet Luca and Gino Salvatore. I stayed at their house last night.”
“I hate the name Gino,” Salvatore complained in my mind.
“Cas, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay, excuse us, guys.” Cassie showed them to the living room, and we headed for the kitchen.
“Oh. My. God. Angelina, did you… you know?”
“Yes,” I admitted, my cheeks burning under her gaze.
“Wow. With one or both?” She quirked an eyebrow up in question.
“Why would you say that?”
“Well, they were looking at you like they’d die for you. Sounds cheesy, but it’s as though they adore you.”
I could never lie to Cassie. “And what if I did, you know, with both of them?”
Cassie hugged me and then giggled. “You lucky bitch. From virgin to a three way in a matter of hours. I’m impressed.”
“Shut up, Cas. They’ll hear you.”
“We already can. And for your information, she’s really happy for you. We can sense it.” Luca’s words made me smile.
“Pity you couldn’t have been up front before you decided to call me Gino,” Salvatore grumbled some more.
“Would you be shocked if I said I was going to move in with them… now?”
Cassie almost dropped the kettle on the floor. “Are you sure about this, Angelina? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you. But this is very quick.”
“There’s another reason. I have no income now, Cas. The gallery burned down in the middle of the night. It isn’t going to be rebuilt, either.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry. That’s awful. Was it an accident?”
“Yes. They think it could be faulty wiring.” Even though it was a lie, it was what the firefighter had said.
“Tell her she can come and visit you any time she wants. The invite extends to Jake too, of course.”
I wanted to cry at Salvatore’s gentle words. “Thank you. It means a lot to me. She’s a very important part of my life.”
“We know, bella.”
“When will you move out?”
“Today. They have a purpose-built studio I can use at their home, too.”
“Do they paint?”
“No. Diane, their housekeeper does.”
“Just how big is their place?”
“Fairly large. You and Jake can come visit anytime. I know you love a good nose,” I teased.
“It’s come at a good time because Jake is getting pissed with his housemates. They’ve gotten funny since he announced he’s moving out.”
“Problem solved. He can move in here until your place is ready.”