Chapter 123

Sutton stared at the garment bag Luca had laid across the bed for her. When she unzipped it, she found not just one outfit but several: a navy wrap dress, black tailored pants with a stretchy panel for her belly. A few silk blouses in various colors, and even a soft cashmere cardigan.

“How did you…” she began, picking up one of the blouses. It was exactly her size.

Luca leaned against the bedroom doorframe, watching her. “I may have called in a favor with a stylist. Told them your measurements from what I remembered.”

Sutton raised an eyebrow. “You remembered my measuremen

“I remember everything about you.” His voice dropped slightly.

“The way!

your body curves, how tall you are it’s all burned into my memory.”

She turned away, trying to hide the flush creeping up her neck. He still shouldn’t have this effect on her. Not after everything. And yet, last night had proved he still did. She wanted to remind him that if she was so important to him, why had he let her go.

“There’s more,” he added, nodding toward the smaller boxes.

She opened them to find maternity underwear, bras, and even a pair of comfortable but stylish flats.

“This is too much,” she said softly. “One outfit would have been fine.”

“It’s not nearly enough.” Luca stepped further into the room. “I also didn’t know what you would feel more comfortable in.”

Sutton selected the navy wrap dress and a set of underwear. “I’ll just…” She gestured toward the bathroom.

“Take your time.”

In the privacy of the bathroom, she slipped out of his shirt and into the new clothes. Everything fit perfectly. The wrap dress hugged her curves in all the right places while accommodating her pregnant belly. The fabric was soft against her skin, expensive without being flashy.

She had worn a lot of flashy, expensive clothes as Audrey. But coming home, she hadn’t needed them. She had reasoned that she was only pregnant for nine months and spending a heap of money on maternity clothes would be a waste of money.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her thick dark blonde hair still slightly damp from the shower, her body elegantly draped in clothes that made her feel both comfortable and beautiful. The dress really was beautiful.

When she stepped back into the bedroom, Luca was fully dressed in a fresh suit. His eyes darkened as they swept over her.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice low.

“It fits well,” she replied, smoothing the fabric over her stomach. “Thank you. I didn’t bother spending a heap of money on clothes while I was pregnant; jt seemed a waste really.”

He stepped closer, one hand coming to rest lightly on her hip. “I want to take care of you, Sutton. Let me.”

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. “I’ve been taking care of myself with my sister’s help just fine, Luca. It’s too early to talk about anything more right now.”

“I know.” His thumb traced a small circle on her hip. “I’m sorry-”

Sutton lifted her hand and put her fingers over his mouth, stopping him. “I didn’t say that to get you to apologize. I was just telling you how it is now.”

Luca took her hand away from his mouth and kissed her fingers.

She met his gaze steadily. “We should get to the office.”

1/4

0:36 MO

Chapter 123

Luca let go of her hand, but his eyes stayed locked with hers. “We should.”

As they walked toward the front door, Luca’s phone buzzed again. He glanced at it, his expression hardening momentarily before he slipped it into na pocket without answering..

“Nicole again?” Sutton asked.

He nodded. “She can wait.”

In the private elevator down to the parking garage, they stood side by side, not touching. The air between them felt heavy,

she was very aware of him.

“What’s the plan?” She asked as the doors opened.

Luca’s jaw tightened. “We play it cool. Let them think everything’s normal. Then we

the trap.”

“And if Nicole suspects something?”

“She won’t.” His voice was certain. “Her weakness is that she underestimates everyone… especially you. She thinks she is so smart. Her ego will be her downfall.”

Sutton smiled grimly. “That’s her mistake. Never assume you are the smartest person in the

They approached his car, and Luca opened the passenger door for her. As she slid in, she spotted her handbag on the floor of the passenger seat where Luca must have placed it this morning. But she had been too tired to care about it.

“Oh, hell,” she muttered, remembering suddenly. She dug through the bag, pulling out her phone. The battery was nearly dead, with only 10% left, and she had missed seventeen calls from Keira.

“I need to call my sister,” she said as Luca got into the driver’s side. “She’s probably freaking out.”

He nodded, starting the car. “Go ahead.”

Sutton hit Keira’s number, holding her breath as it rang. Her sister answered on the second ring.

“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?” Keira’s voice was so loud that Luca could hear it clearly from the driver’s seat. “I’ve been calling you all night! I thought you were DEAD! Or KIDNAPPED! Or having the baby in a DITCH somewhere!”

“I’m fine,” Sutton said quickly. “The emergency at work was worse than we thought. I had to pull an all–nighter. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“ALL NIGHT? Without TEXTING ME?” Keira’s voice rose even higher. “I called Blair! I almost called the police! And the MORGUE!”

“I’m really sorry,” Sutton said, wincing. “I was dead on my feet when it was all over. I just went to sleep without thinking. I was with Luca.”

“How exactly is that supposed to put my mind at rest?” Keira wasn’t buying it. “Where are you now? Are you going home? Do I need to come get you? I’ll tell Prince Wanker, I have a family emergency. He can look after himself for one day.”

Sutton glanced at Luca, who was trying not to smile. “We are… on our way to the office. A lot happened last night, and we need to deal with it today.”

There was a long, loaded silence.

“Are you still with Luca?” Keira repeated flatly. “Did this all night include a period of time in his bed?”

“Keira,” Sutton warned. “Not now. It wasn’t like that.”

“Oh, it’s EXACTLY like that,” Keira shot back. “may be the younger sister, but I’m not an idiot. You spent the night with Baby Daddy, and now you’re doing

the walk of shame to work.”

Luca coughed beside her, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.

10:36 Mon, 14 Jul

“I can hear you laughing, you asshole!” Keira yelled. “Put me on speaker!”

Sutton reluctantly tapped the speaker button.

“Listen here, De Santis,” Keira began, her voice razor–sharp. “I don’t care how rich you are or how pretty your face is. If you hurt my sister again, i ett find you, and I will remove parts of your anatomy that you’re particularly fond of. With a rusty spoon. Am I clear?”

Luca didn’t miss a beat. “Crystal clear. I’m impressed by your creativity.”

“Don’t be cute with me,” Keira snapped. “I work for a prince who has diplomatic immunity, and so do most of his staff. I know people who could make you disappear.”

“I believe you,” he replied, his tone serious now. “But I promise you, I’m not going to hurt her again. You have my word. I know it doesn’t count for mach right now, but I’ll prove it.”

There was another pause.

“Sutton?” Keira’s voice softened slightly. “You good?”

Sutton felt a rush of affection for her fierce, protective sister. “I’m good, Keira, really. I’ll explain everything later.”

“You better. You’d better keep me updated.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too, idiot. Be safe.”

The call ended, and Sutton looked over to find Luca watching her with an odd expression.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He turned back to the road. “Your sister is… formidable.”

“She means well.”

“I know.” He glanced at her again. “You’re lucky to have her and Blair. To have a family that cares that much.”

Something in his tone made Sutton study him more closely. “You have your brother.”

“It’s not the same.” He shrugged. “Antonio and I didn’t go through what you and your sisters have.

They were approaching the Cyber10 building now, and she could see the tension returning to Luca’s shoulders.

“Do you think there will be fireworks?” Sutton asked, changing the subject.

Luca’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “With Nicole? Hell yes. We’ll see how today plays out.”

“Did you get an update from your team following Miles?”

His jaw tightened. “I got a message that he hasn’t moved from the hotel yet. I’m hoping that will happen soon. Because I can’t leave Nicole unchecked inside Cyber10.”

Sutton reached over impulsively and squeezed his hand. “We’ll handle it.”

He looked surprised but didn’t pull away. “Yes,” he agreed, turning his hand to lace his fingers through hers. “We will.”