Chapter 305
He just realized that Luca was going to burn someone either way. Too chicken to mess with Sebastian, so she went for Sofia instead. She took Sofia’s bribe and ran. The more Macro pieced it together, the worse his head pounded.
Macro sucked in a breath. “Holy crap.” Luca was the same as ever – sniffing out Sofia’s goodies and snatching them like a hawk, no hesitation. But Sofia’s stuff wasn’t just free for the taking. Hasn’t she learned anything after all this time? Macro shook his head, fed up. He was dizzy now, his brain barely keeping up.
Sebastian lit another cigarette, taking a slow drag as smoke drifted out. Macro looked up. “Uh, where’s Sofia at right now?” He also wondered where Luca had taken off to after Long Harbor. If she went back to Fiorenza now, she’d be begging for Sofia to come after her.
Sebastian’s voice stayed flat. “If nothing’s gone wrong, she’s in Sandara by now.” “Oh, thank God,” Macro said, letting out a big sigh. Knowing Sofia wasn’t in Fiorenza, his shoulders finally relaxed. “Then don’t tell Sofia yet,” he said fast, pointing at Sebastian. If Sofia found out Luca swiped her stuff and bolted, with her temper, they’d be clawing at each other again in no time.
“Sofia, man – what a handful,” Macro grumbled to himself. Stefi was right there with Sebastian – she wasn’t going anywhere. And still, Sofia teamed up with Luca. Those two had been going at it forever. She could trust literally anyone else, but nope – she picked Luca. Macro rolled his eyes.
Elliot spoke up, calm as always. “She’ll figure it out eventually.” Macro glared at him, snapping, “Dude, I’m begging you – shut it.” He’d clocked it by now: Elliot seemed all cool and collected when he kept quiet. But the second he opened his mouth? Pure stress – like he was gunning for your last nerve. Macro was so over hearing him talk, his ears were practically ringing. His sister, though – what a disaster. She always had to pick a fight with Sofia, of all people. And Sofia? One hint of Luca and she turned into a raging bull, ready to charge. Now look – Sofia got played, and Macro couldn’t help a little smirk.
He scratched his chin, wondering what Sofia had dangled in front of Luca. Whatever it was, if it got Luca to hustle out there, it wasn’t some small-time perk. That much he’d bet on.
Stephanie rolled out of bed around ten, sunlight pouring through the window into the room. A glass of water sat on the nightstand, still warm. The sheets next to her were cold – Sebastian must’ve been up for a while. She sat there, still groggy, hair a wild mess spilling over her shoulders.
Back when they were kids, she’d always stuck to him like glue, following him around everywhere. But sleeping together now? Whole different deal. Especially when he pulled her in close – his body changing in ways that made it real clear what was going on.
“You up?” His deep, smooth voice snapped her out of her haze. Stephanie glanced at the door and saw Sebastian walk in, rocking that slate-gray lounge set. He looks good in anything, she thought, still half-dazed. Even in something this laid-back, he had that sharp, cool edge and effortless vibe he was born with. She wasn’t fully awake yet, mumbling a sleepy, “Morning.”
Sebastian crossed the room in a couple of steps, scooping her out of the blankets and pulling her against his chest. “Say my name,” he said softly. She could feel his heartbeat under her cheek, his low voice teasing – like he was egging her on. Hearing his name from her just hit different. A little smirk crept onto his face without him even trying.
Stephanie blinked, thrown off. “Huh?” “Come on, say it,” he pushed, voice smooth as butter. She blinked again, brain still loading. “Right now?” Right now, she couldn’t. It only slipped out when he’d ticked her off so bad she couldn’t hold it in. When she was thinking straight, “hey” or “Seb” just came out naturally – soft, with that old clingy vibe from way back. She’d been calling him that forever. Switching it up now? Yeah, not so easy. She scrunched her nose.
“Ah-! Sebastian, what the heck?” A sharp sting hit her neck, and she yelped, voice jumping. She wiggled to get free, but stuck in his arms, she didn’t have a shot – arms and legs flailing for nothing. His low laugh buzzed against her neck. “You’re being a bad girl,” he teased, a playful edge in his tone. Her temper flared up fast, cheeks going red.
“My neck hurts!” she griped, frowning big-time. “Did you really bite me that hard? We’re heading back to Fiorenza in two weeks – how am I supposed to explain this?” Her brain went into a tailspin, ready to claw at him.
She’d been checking those marks on her neck earlier, hoping they’d fade by then. And now he does this? Seeing her get all riled up like a ticked-off kitten, Sebastian’s eyes sparkled with a hint of fun. He leaned in, dropping a sweet kiss on her forehead. “You don’t have to explain a thing.”
Stephanie froze, then looked up. “Wait, why not?” Sebastian kicked back against the headboard, all chill. “Just got off the phone with Mom.” Her eyes popped wide. “Oh?” Her brain went full speed, curiosity written all over her face as she stared at him.