loved her. Her reaction was one that I will never forget.
Pain forgotten, Robbie stood up and, boy, was she furious. “Get the hell out of my house.”
I stood up. “No.”
Her chocolate eyes narrowed, but I noticed they were shiny. “Are there no limits to how low you’ll sink to win?” she seethed.
I reached for her. “Rob-”
She stepped back, bumping into the couch. “Don’t touch me!” she yelled, mindless to our audience. “Two days ago, you were sacrificing yourself by fucking me as a favor to your sister, and today you love me?” she scoffed, and I knew she must be seriously pissed if the pain from her injuries weren’t registering. “I might be a mess, but I’m not fucking stupid!”
“It’s the truth,” I confessed, trying to keep my voice even. I understood that I fucked up with that little slip the other night, but I still didn’t appreciate having my declaration of love dismissed as a fucking ploy to win a game.
Robbie shook her head. “Get out, Ciro,” she repeated. “Get out of my house, and don’t come back.” She glanced over at Frankie and her face softened a bit. My sister’s eyes were tearful. “Frankie, I’m sorry,” Robbie said. “I really am, but…I’m not sure we can be friends anymore.” Her voice broke, but she didn’t stop. “I have a lot going on, and you don’t need to be anywhere near it.” She glanced around the room again, her eyes quickly skipping a look at Luca, and said, “Now, I’d really like for all of you to leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” I said, breaking the news to her. “Whether you like it or not, you’re not getting rid of us. And you sure as fuck aren’t getting rid of me.”
She eyed me and the fury was still there, regardless of the tenderness she showed Frankie. “I don’t want you,” she insisted. “I want nothing to do with you, Ciro. Don’t you understand that?”
“You’re lying,” I accused.
“And you can go fuck yourself,” she tossed back.
“That’s enough!” Luca’s voice thundered throughout the room as he stood up and made his way towards us.
His complete focus caused Robbie to pale, but she didn’t back down. She stood her ground and readied herself to face whatever Luca Benetti was going to throw her way. I couldn’t help but feel proud of her backbone.
“I think there’s something you need to understand, Ms. Regal,” he began. “Even if you didn’t belong to Ciro, Francesca claims you as her friend.” I could see Robbie bristle at the mention of belonging to me, but she didn’t argue. “And, as such, until or unless Francesca deems it otherwise, you are our business, Ms. Regal.”
Robbie licked her lips in uneasiness. “Mr…Mr. Ben-”
Luca threw his hand up. “You might as well call me Luca, Ms. Regal. Your friendship with Francesca, and your relationship with Ciro dictates as much.”
I watched in amused fascination as good manner forced Robbie to redirect the conversation. “Then…you must call me Robbie,” she graciously insisted.
Luca inclined his head in acceptance and continued laying down the rules. “The issues between you and Ciro are yours to figure out and, quite frankly, I don’t blame you for being upset. He’s been a dick. However, I make it a point to make sure Francesca never knows a moment of unhappiness in her life. And, because of that, it is imperative that you allow us to help you with your…problem.” Robbie glanced over at Frankie, but Luca placed his finger underneath her chin and forced her to look at him. “Understand that I am not asking for your permission, Robbie,” he smoothly warned in a way that only psychopaths can. “And understand that I will take your choices away if I deem them a threat to my family.”
“He broke my heart,” she muttered sadly.
Luca nodded his agreement, but instead of overstepping between a man and his woman, he took a step back and returned to his seat, allowing me to clean up my own mess.
I stepped in front of her and mimicked Luca’s earlier movement. I placed a finger underneath her chin and forced her to look at me. “Robbie, I will always regret that I didn’t stick around to explain what I meant that night. I knew I fucked up, but I knew you were pissed. I thought I was supposed to give you space.”
“Space for what?” she asked incredulously.
“How the fuck would I know?!” I yelled, frustrated. “I’ve never been in a relationship before! I thought women needed