Chapter 150

I’m quiet for a moment, thinking of the ways that Bruce’s assessment of his nephew – who is so much more of a son to him – line up with my own experiences with my mate. It’s true that Luca is emotional, though I’m not sure I’d have thought of him that way before now.

Luca’s willful, and bossy, and controlling – and he can be a little petty when things go his way, like when he didn’t talk to me after he found out, in the dream state, that I’m a girl. But I guess I never attributed all of that to Luca being hot-blooded, as it were. Of being someone who feels things so strongly that he has trouble controlling his intense reactions to them.

I turn my head for a moment, a little lost in my thoughts, because…well, because I think I’ve been thinking lately that Jackson is the more emotional of my two mates, deep down.

But secretly, is it Luca? Does he have an entire well of emotion that he likes to keep veiled under a thousand confident smiles and jokes?

God, how did I miss that?

“I hope we can rely on you,” Bruce says quietly, again drawing my attention back to him. “To…help Luca.”

“Of course you can,” I say instantly, meaning it utterly as I link my hands earnestly behind my back.

“Yes,” Bruce murmurs thoughtfully, studying me. “I can see that you’re a good girl, Ariel – and I mean that. You’re a nice young lady, you clearly care about my boy – you want to do right by him. And I appreciate and admire that for you. But…Luca has his own career, and his life, that I’m not sure lines up completely with yours.”

My eyes go wide, because…what?

“Again, I don’t think it’s anything you’ve done,” he says, drifting his hand through the air between us in an ameliorating way. “I just…well, you’re a Princess, aren’t you? And you’ve got mixed up in this Academy, just as he has. I told him not to do that – not to go joining the military, but he liked the idea of being a hero, of serving his nation.” Bruce rolls his eyes a little here. “But he didn’t really care about Moon Valley - what he liked was the fact that the magazines called him a hero. He didn’t really –“

“I’m sorry,” I say, interrupting a little and starting to get frustrated because – well, because I’m kind of getting the impression that I’m being a little insulted, frankly. “What does this have to do with me being good for him?”

“I’m sorry, you’re right - I’m tired,” Bruce says, sighing and dropping his head, collecting his thoughts. “What I mean to say is that…Luca has responsibilities.” He lifts his head now, meeting my eyes. “He bought this house for his grandmother and his mother, which was a good thing to do. He bought that gym, too, and he pays for all of those boys to train there – got them all off the street. He gives them a monthly stipend, too, so they can afford to not work – to just train.”

I go quite still because…I did not know that Luca did that.

Bruce nods, seeing my understanding now. “Luca’s made money, and he’s been successful, but his career has an end-date. He’s young and he’s strong now, but he’s not going to be forever. There’s always someone younger and stronger coming up the ranks. So Luca needs to win the prize fights while he can, and invest the money wisely so that he can continue to support the women who raised him, and continue to give back to his community. Which is why I don’t like him throwing a party for you the night before the biggest fight of his life.”

I step back a little, feeling like I’ve been slapped. Because I didn’t ask for this party but…

Well. I didn’t think about it either, did I?

I set my jaw, offended and guilty all at once.

“I’m sorry,” Bruce says, shaking his head as he sees my expression. “It’s just…I think it would be good for Luca, and helpful, if you really understood his situation, and his world. You need to help him make the right choices. He’s a good boy – and I can see he loves you. But he’s someone who lets his emotions run away with him. He needs a bit of guidance to make the right choices – and you can help with that.”

“I will help him,” I say, steady, meaning it. “In whatever way I can.”

“I hope we can count on you for that,” Bruce says, holding my gaze, giving me a steady nod.

Luca comes out of the house before I can respond, a plate of coffee cake wrapped in tinfoil in his hands, a big smile on his face. At the same moment, a car pulls around the corner, headlights flashing.

Luca smiles at his uncle, who nods and walks back to his corner of the porch, before coming to slip an arm around me, frowning at the car. “I was hoping for a moment for a quiet goodbye,” he says, sighing.

“That’s okay,” I say, smiling up at my mate and standing on my toes as I take the plate from his hand, begging silently for a kiss. Luca grins and then obliges me, kissing me softly and pulling me close for a moment as Conner’s car pulls to the front of the house.

“Thank you for coming,” he says. “This was amazing. Everything I wanted it to be.”

“It really was,” I say, honestly meaning it and unable to help my smile. “But you will get some sleep, yes? And tomorrow I’ll see you at the fight.”

“You’ll be there?” he asks, a little desperate, almost as if he’s worried that I won’t.

“I promise!” I say, laughing and grinning up at him. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing. I’ll be right in the Royal box – right up front. You won’t be able to miss me.”

“Good,” he says, tugging me close one more time and planting a kiss on my forehead before starting to walk me to the car.

Bruce calls a goodnight after me, and I give him a little wave, but as Luca gives me a final kiss goodnight and tucks me away in the car, I can’t stop my mind from wandering over everything Bruce said about Luca, and his life, and his responsibilities, and my role in it all.

Because it really does make me wonder…am I the best thing for Luca right now? Can I really support his career? Or…is dating a Princess going to be a huge distraction for him?

I sigh, sinking back into the seat, disturbed by it all. I want, more than anything, for Luca to have the best life he can – to have a wonderful career, to support his family, to continue doing this work he never even told me about to help boys that must be so like he was when he was an angry teenager.

But how do I do that?

“Did you have fun?” Conner asks, glancing over at me.

“I did,” I return, tucking my thoughts away and giving him a friendly smile. “It was an amazing night.”

“Did you bring me some cake?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and nodding to the plate in my lap.

“Oh no,” I say quite seriously, “this cake is for Prince Rafe. Exclusively.”

Conner bursts into laughter, and I begin to tell the story of Luca’s Gran and her Royal favorite, who is clearly not me.

And as we drive…I can’t help but worry that the same might be true of Luca’s uncle as well.