Venice Nights (His Submissive #4.5)(25)
Author: Ava Claire

He went to the nightstand, pulling a small container from the drawer. The smell of mint wafted around me as he gently stroked the cream on my aching flesh.

“You should have used your color.”

I smiled up at him, chest still heaving up and down. “I would have if I needed it.”

Not exactly true. A runaway train could have crashed into the room, and I would not have said  the word red.

His eyes sparkled playfully. “You forget—I know you, Leila Montgomery.” He pulled me into his arms, close enough that I synced our heartbeats. Everything was as it was supposed to be…until the floor above us creaked.

It reminded me that there was still something that needed to be fixed.

A wary voice cautioned me. Isabella can’t even stand you—what can you do that Jacob hasn’t already tried?

I propped my head on my palm, searching his face.

He frowned. “Is everything all right?”

I nibbled on my bottom lip as an idea popped in my head; an idea that was maybe bold enough to work. “With your help, maybe it will be.”

Chapter Fourteen

Allegra waved wildly from the backseat of the cab, barely letting the driver pull to a stop before she lurched from the car.

Jacob walked ahead of me, scooping her in his arms. I watched him with a smile on my face. He was different with her. Laughing with eyes crinkled at the corners, the ferocity usually found in the intense pools of blue a whisper. He spun her in a circle, his lips split into a boyish grin that made me want to take a picture. No one would believe the billionaire had a sense of humor developed enough to smile, let alone laugh, like whatever Allegra was saying was the funniest thing he had ever heard.

Allegra gave him one last squeeze and met my eyes, waving me over. "I owe you one too!"

She might be singing a different tune in a minute. Ignoring the stifling nervousness that this whole thing could go sideways, I focused on getting a good hug in. Either way, we were headed back to the States, and I had no idea when we would see her again.

I squeezed tight, closing my eyes for good measure.

Forgetting Jacob for a moment, she held my face in her hands, her olive eyes colored with concern. "How are you?"

"I’m fine," I said with a wink.

She glanced at Jacob over my shoulder, then steered me away from him, dropping her voice confidentially. "How are you really?"

"I’m really fine," I assured her with a chuckle. I tugged at the scarf around my neck, feeling like my plan was scrawled all over my face from the way she had zeroed in on me.

I cleared my throat, casting a look at Jacob. He nodded, coming forward.

"You trash talking me, Al?" he joked.

Allegra popped the collar of her coat, giving him a look. "As long as you’re good to Leila, I won’t have any cause to."

I beamed behind her, but as we inched closer to the house, I felt guilty. What if I were overstepping my bounds? What if I just made things worse?

Allegra’s cheery voice cut through my internal debate, forcing my smile to stay strong and not waver.

"I know you’ve enjoyed your time here, but you must miss your family and friends back home,” she said.

"I have," I said, surprising myself. I missed my mother, even as overbearing and nosy she could be. And I had so much to tell Megan, especially considering I had been incapable of sending her a message that was longer than ‘Hi’. Wrapping up Rachel Laraby, my first press bomb, the villa, and my famous boyfriend was too much for email or text—even though she had been lighting up my inbox. In person, it would be easier to lay it all out—and beg forgiveness for falling off the face of the earth.

"It’ll be nice to have a little normal," I finished, feeling Jacob’s eyes land on me. I flicked my attention to him, and he gave me an uneasy smirk. Even though I had chickened out and wanted to use rock, paper, scissors to determine the person that would actually lie to Allegra to get her in the house, Jacob had vetoed that. He was willing to wait until they were ready to talk on their own, even though we both knew that could very well be never. Batting my eyes did not work—since it was my plan, I had to deliver the crucial fib that would actually make Al walk through the door.

I drew a breath, letting the nerves fill my lungs. I channeled the anxiety into something good.

I held out a shaking hand for Allegra to see. "I’m talking a big game, but I have no idea what kind of press will be waiting when we land in the states." I took a step toward the house. "Wanna come in for a glass of wine?"

Her face hardened to stone and my stomach dropped. This was not going to work…she knew exactly what I was doing. Forcing a ceasefire. Trying desperately to mend a friendship that they obviously regretted losing, despite pretending their lives were better off.

Jacob must have seen that I was drowning. He came forward, his voice smooth as sin.

"Or at least a cup of coffee,” he added. “I think I owe you one after interrupting your afternoon with Leila.”

Allegra blinked, looking at him, then me, her eyes still narrowed suspiciously. "I think you’re both aware of my history with Isabella. I have no interest in stirring up the past."

I was hoping I would not have to lie, but I had no other choice. Jacob and I were leaving tonight. I was not psychic, but I had a feeling that unless we gave fate a little nudge, the two of them would never roll away their stones; they would go to the grave with regret. Maybe I was off base and overstepping my bounds, but I wanted to do this. Jacob had very few people he trusted enough to see the real him, and fifty percent of his private circle could not even stand to be in the same room.

Family was more than just the blood that runs in your veins; more than strands of DNA. Family was the people that saw you at your best and worst and loved you anyway.

For better or worse, Allegra and Isabella were part of Jacob’s family. Carlton showed Jacob all the ways family could destroy. I just wanted to help them find a way to rebuild and grow from the pain.

I just had to tell a little white lie.

"Isabella is gone for the day," I lied, knowing full well she was just inside.

Allegra sighed with relief. "Okay. I’d love a cafe."

My blood pumped a fevered beat in my ears as we walked through the courtyard, the home stretch within reach. The hard part would be walking through the front door.

Jacob opened the door. I let Allegra walk first, following behind her in case she tried to make a getaway.

Allegra stood in the foyer, taking it all in with a chuckle. "Feels like the first time." She flashed Jacob a smile over her shoulder. "You’ve done a great job here, bambino."