Chapter 126
Chapter 126
They didn’t speak during the elevator ride to Luca’s office. The sexual tension between them—and the tension from the confrontation with Nicole was still hummed through her body. Sutton watched the floor numbers light up one by one, her mind racing through everything that had just happened. The revelation, Nicole’s face as she realized she’d been caught, the stunned expressions of the executives around the table.
When the doors opened on the executive floor, Luca placed his hand gently on the small of her back, guiding her toward his office. The gesture felt both protective and intimate, making her skin warm beneath the fabric of her dress.
His assistant looked up as they approached.
“Hold all my calls, Kate,” Luca instructed. “We’re not to be disturbed.”
“Yes, sir,” the young woman replied, looking between them curiously.
Inside his office, Luca closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, breathing out slowly. He looked tired, the weight of betrayal evident by the look on his face.
“Are you okay?” Sutton asked quietly.
He pushed away from the door, moving to the large windows overlooking the city. “Six years,” he said. “She worked for me for six years. I feel so empty that someone I trusted did this to me.”
Sutton sat in one of the chairs facing his desk. “I think she might need help.”
Luca turned, eyebrows raised. “Help? She tried to sabotage my company. Why would I help her?”
“I know,” Sutton agreed. “But the way she looked at you, the things she said…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Luca, I think she’s in love with you.”
He stared at her as if she’d grown a second head. “That’s ridiculous. Nicole and I have always had a strictly professional relationship.”
“Maybe for you,” Sutton said. “But I don’t think it was the same for way around.”
Luca ran a hand through his hair, disturbing its perfect styling. “In
She really fell apart at the end there. It was like you betrayed her. Not the other
her any reason to think… I never flirted with her or suggested…”
“I believe you,” Sutton said gently. “But that doesn’t mean she didn’t develop feelings, anyway. Think about it… The way she said everything she did was for you… that’s not just professional loyalty.”
He sank into his chair, looking genuinely bewildered. “How did I miss
knew she was right… but he had missed it.
“Maybe you should consider having her evaluated,” Sutton suggested. “Mentally, I mean. Before pressing charges. This seems… obsessive.”
Luca studied her face. “You’re actually worried about her. Even after everything she did to you.”
Sutton shrugged. “I know what it’s like to be desperate because of feelings for someone.” She met his eyes steadily. “Not to this extreme, but still. Love can make people do crazy things.”
He held her gaze for a long moment. “You’re remarkable, you know that? Anyone else would want her locked up without a second thought. But even now you are thinking of her…”
“Oh, I definitely want her held accountable,” Sutton clarified. “I’m just saying, maybe there’s more going on here than corporate espionage.
Luca nodded slowly. “I’ll speak to my lawyer See about having a psychiatric evaluation included in whatever happens next. I don’t want her getting off on a technicality.”
“I would call mentally unstable, more than a technicality, Luca… She needs help.”
A comfortable silence fell between them. Sutton watched as Luca pulled out his phone and sent a quick text, presumably to his lawyer,
“Thank you,” he said finally, looking up at her.
“For what?”
“For seeing the humanity in a situation where I was only seeing betrayal.”
Sutton felt her cheeks warm. “It’s not a big deal.”
“It is to me.” His voice was soft, sincere in a way that made her heart twist.
Before she could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Roman.”
Sutton nodded, and he answered, putting the call on speaker.
“Roman, you’re on speaker with Sutton and me.”
“Ah, perfect!” Roman’s voice sounded relaxed and happy. “Blair’s right here too. We just got back.”
“From the honeymoon already?” Luca asked. “That was fast. We had everything under control, you know.”
“It was just a quick getaway,” Roman replied. “We’re saving the real honeymoon for next month. But listen, we’re hosting dinner tonight at our place. Nothing fancy, just family. Blair wants her sisters there, and I want you, mate. Around seven?”
Luca glanced at Sutton questioningly. She nodded.
“We’ll be there,” Luca confirmed.
“Great! Oh, and Keira will be there too,” Roman added, his tone turning mischievous. “Blair says to tell you she’s had a talk with her, Luca, but no promises about her behavior.”
Luca chuckled, though there was a hint of nervousness in it. “Should I be worried?”
“Let’s just say if you have any protective gear, now might be the time to wear it.”
Blair’s voice came through the speaker then, laughing. “Don’t scare him, Roman. Keira promised to be on her best behavior.”
“Which means what, exactly?” Luca asked.
“It means she probably won’t actually try to kill you,” Blair replied cheerfully. “Just keep your guard up and you’ll be fine.”
Sutton couldn’t help laughing at the expression on Luca’s face. There was a look of alarm, which was utterly endearing. Blair and Sutton both understood Keira, She was at her mouthiest when she was worried. But grown men being scared of their little sister?
“Do I need to wear a cup or something?” he muttered, only half–joking.
Roman’s laughter boomed through the phone. “Mate, if I were you, I’d consider full bod
“Great,” Luca said dryly. “Looking forward to it.”
After they ended the call, Luca looked
ar
Sutton with a raised eyebrow. “Your sister really hates me
hat much?”
“Keira doesn’t do anything halfway,” Sutton replied with a shrug. “She’s protective. She’s worried about me after…”
“I gathered that from our phone conversation earlier.” He leaned back in his chair. “Will she actually try to harm me, or is this all just theatrical intimidation?”
Sutton pretended to consider this seriously. “Probably just intimidation. Though I wouldn’t accept any drinks, she hands you.”
Chapter 126.
“Noted.” Luca’s lips quibed into a smile. “Should I Bring a peace offering? Flowers? Expensive whiskey? A bullat prost veur
“Just bring yourself” she said. “We can handle Keira.”
Luca nodded, his expression turning more serious. “I have a lot to apologize for. To all of you”
“Yes, you do.” Sutton met his eyes directly. “But the fact that you recognize that is a start in our hork
He stood, coming around the desk to stand before her. He took her hands in his, pulling her gently is her feet.
“I meant what i said about the head of cybersecurity position,” he said. “It’s yours if you want it.”
Sutton tilted her head. “Because I’m good at what I do, or because I’m having your baby?”
“Because you’re brilliant,” he said without hesitation. “The baby has nothing to do with it. Neither does.. whatever is happening between us.”
Whatever is happening between us. The words hung in the air, neither of them quite ready to define it.
“I’ll think about it,” she said finally. “Can I give you an answer tomorrow?”
“Take all the time you need.” His thumb brushed across her knuckles, the touch light but electric. “We should probably get back to work. There’s still a lot to clean up after everything that happened. We need to get our system and the Kingston system back online.”
Sutton nodded, though she made no move to step away from him. “Already done. I had started the process before we went into the meeting. The systems should be fully restored by now.”
“And Kingston’s data?”
“Safe. I’ll need to run a few more security checks, but the core files were never compromised.”
Luca smiled, pride evident in his eyes. “And this is why you should be our head of cybersecurity. You are always two steps ahead.”
“Just doing my job,” she said, echoing her earlier words.
His smile widened. “Head of cybersecurity.”
“Maybe,” she corrected. “I haven’t said yes yet.”
“You will.” His confidence would have been annoying if it weren’t so well–earned. “Because you know as well as I do that you’re perfect for it.”
Before she could argue, his phone buzzed with a text. He sighed reluctantly, releasing her hands to check it.
“Security,” he explained. “They’ve turned Nicole over to the police.” He hesitated, then added, “I requested the psychiatric evaluation.”
Sutton nodded. “Good. That’s the right call.”
He slipped his phone back into his pocket. “We should have an update on Miles soon. I have stopped Nicole from making any calls and alerting him.”
“Good. We need to know who else paid him. And tonight?” she asked. “Dinner at Roman and BL
A grin crossed his face. “Tonight I face the firing squad. Also known as your sister Keira.”
Sutton laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“My hero,” he said dryly, but the warmth in his eyes told her he meant it. Sutton could see he wanted to kiss her, so she walked toward the door. One kiss would lead to more, and she didn’t need that sort of attention.
Luca said again, “And Sutton? Thank you for everything.”
She smiled at him, realizing with a jolt that despite everything–the drama with Nicole, the sabotage attempt, the uncertainty of their relationship Ne was happy. Truly happy for the first time in months.
“You’re welcome,” she said before leaving his office.
