Chapter 69 The news

Chapter 69 The news


“Jackson,” I let out an annoyed groan.

Lyra quickly got off me and covered herself with the blanket. I watched Jackson's face twist with jealousy.

“You brought her home,” he said, closing the door and walking in.

“Obviously,” I said calmly. “What do you want?”

His eyes moved to Lyra. He pressed his lips together before he finally spoke, “I just wanted to make sure she got home safe.”

“She did,” my response was blunt.

His eyes darted to me. “Let her speak then.”

My anger rose. I parted my lips to yell at him, but Lyra quickly placed her hand on my chest. I looked at her and she shook her head. “I'm fine,” she said to him.

He nodded and turned to go.

“Don’t fight with your cousin all the time,” she said calmly.

“Sometimes he's unbearable,” I said through my clenched teeth.

She placed her head on my chest and my fingers reached for her back, gently caressing it. “You let him,” she said. “You know I'll never fall for him. Why bother?”

My mind instantly went to the image of him kissing her yesterday. My chest tightened. “Still… him touching you makes me want to burn…”

She giggled. “He would never touch me without consent.”

I looked at her. Did she genuinely not remember? “He kissed you yesterday.”

Her head moved up to look at me. “Salvatore, don't joke about things like that,” she forced a smile but it quickly fell. “Why aren't you… are you serious?”

I nodded.

Her face twisted with disgust. “I'm sorry I didn't know…”

“I know, Lyra. I know,” I cut in. “Don't worry about it,” I assured, pulling her in closer. “It's okay,” I repeated.

A few seconds passed and her phone suddenly started to ring. She grabbed it and looked at the screen. “It's Mom,” she said. She swiped the screen to answer and put it on loudspeaker.

“Lyra?” her mother's voice came through.

“Hey, Mom,” she said calmly.

“Salvatore's father and I have returned home. Preparation for his wedding to Becky is going well,” she said.

Lyra looked back at me, slipping her fingers into mine and squeezing it. She knew those words, but deep in my heart, my father marrying another woman still felt unbelievable.

“That's nice,” she said.

“Oh dear, I miss you. I do not like that you have to travel with Salvatore all the time. It's almost as if you are his personal maid,” she complained.

“He's okay,” Lyra said and sat on the bed. My eyes lingered on the soft skin of her back. Instinctively reaching for it, I caressed it gently. “He treats me well.”

Her mother groaned. “I doubt that. He's just like his father — arrogant, rude, thinks he…” Before I could listen to it all, Lyra quickly removed it from loudspeaker.

She laughed nervously and slid out of bed. “Mom, relax. He's not like that…”

I watched her pace around the room. Did her mother always talk badly about me?

“He's just sad about his father's marriage,” she said, her hips swaying as she walked around the room.

I slid out of bed and walked to her. “Goodbye, Mom. I love you too,” she said and removed the phone from her ear.

I licked my lower lip. “Your mother doesn't like me,” I said, placing both hands on my hips.

She pressed the phone to her chest. “It's not like that.”

“She just called me names, Lyra.”

She pressed her lips together, unable to speak.

“Lyra…”

“I'm sorry,” she quickly apologized.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against myself. “I'm quite offended that your mother doesn't like me, because whether or not she does, she's going to be my mother-in-law. Now, who likes it when their mother-in-law doesn't like them?”

Her cheeks flushed red. “Mother-in-law?”

“Grandmother of my children… whatever name you prefer,” I added. She blinked, her eyes fixed on mine.

“I'm never leaving you, Lyra. You best believe you are having my kids,” I said. My lips moved to her cheek and I kissed it. “…but if your mother ever talks trash about me in my presence, I'll tell her I fuck her daughter like three times a day… let's see her reaction.”

She opened her mouth in shock. “Salvatore!” She covered her mouth with her palm.

My phone suddenly began to ring. I walked to the bed and picked it up. My expression hardened as I swiped to answer. “What do you want, Dad?” my tone was cold.

“The wedding is in five days,” he said. No hello, son, how are you doing. He didn't even care how the news sounded to me. He just blurted it out.

My anger rose, but I forced myself to keep it down. “I don't care.”

“I know you don't want to be involved, son, so I won't involve you in any of the activities. Just be there.”

“You must be sick if you think I'm coming to your wedding.”

“You'll be in Spain in two days,” he said.

“Spain?”

“Becky was born there. Her family lives there. Look, son, I know you hate me right now, but I just need you to be there. I'll send some men to your cottage to take you to Spain. A hotel has already been paid for.”

“I don't even get a say in this?!” I asked in anger.

“Salvatore!” Father shouted. “I'm tired of your shenanigans. It's either you comply or you'll be dragged to Spain. Just be there that day, then you can jump off a lake if you want. I'm over your mother. Let me be happy!” he shouted.

The call ended before I could let out a response.

I clenched the phone in my hand tightly.

“Are you okay?” Lyra asked, walking towards me.

I sat on the bed and angrily raked my fingers through my hair. She placed her hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. I carried her against myself and hugged her tightly. I sniffed, inhaling her scent. It was soothing and seemed to make the anger go away. “No,” I responded. “Just hug me.”



I stood before them in the living room as I announced that I would be going to Spain. My eyes darted to Jackson. I knew if Lyra was there, he would try to come along. “If I see even a piece of your shadow there, I'll break your bones,” I threatened.

“What?” he smirked. “I can't be at my own uncle's wedding?”

I looked away from him. I had too much on my head to think about Jackson.

“I can come for support,” Mia said.

“No,” I quickly said. “I don't want any of you there,” I interrupted. “I would like to be alone.”

Mia walked to me. “Oh, Salvatore,” she said and wrapped me in her arms for a hug.

Lyra cupped her fingers before her and looked away, her eyes meeting Jackson's, she quickly looked away and he smiled.

My fingers clenched into a tight fist.