Mending the Rift (8 page)

“A week?” Luca’s pulse sped up. “That’s… that’s only seven days!”

“Ah, yes, that’s how long a week usually is.” Gregory grinned at him. “Getting cold feet?”

“No.” Luca shook his head but quickly disabused himself of this movement because his stomach roiled. “I just never thought I’d get to marry the man I love. That sounds incredibly sappy, doesn’t it?”

Gregory pulled him in for another hug before he ushered him to his bed. They sat down on the edge, Gregory wrapping an arm around Luca’s shoulders, and for a while no one said a word. Gregory broke the silence first. “I’m happy for you. I know how hard it was for you to accept being married off to someone you didn’t know. You made very sure I understood your reluctance.”

Heat crawled into Luca’s cheeks, and he rested his head on his father’s shoulder to hide. “I’m sorry for all that running away, and I’m also sorry for the chaos I caused.”

“If anyone is responsible for the chaos, it’s your dad.” Gregory blew out a breath. “He’s excellent at causing havoc, even though his intentions have been good. I’ve meant to ask you—aren’t you at least the tiniest bit mad at him? It’s driving your dad crazy that you’re not yelling at him.”

“Why would I? He’s given me what I wanted. Sure, if it would’ve been up to me, I’d probably waited a couple more years to become pregnant, but….” Luca didn’t know how to put his thoughts and feelings into words. “All I can say is I still can’t believe he did what he did and yes, it’s a breach of trust, but I’m happy I can be with Marcus. I’d have probably done the same if it had occurred to me. Dad did me a favor.”

“I hope he won’t come up with any more favors. I wouldn’t’ve been able to keep him out of prison if word got out about what he did.”

“Whithers knows the truth,” Luca threw in, casting a worried look at his father.

“Harold will keep our secret. The same goes for Alwin, who claims to know nothing but the facts.”

“Sometimes it’s really good that you’re both so highly regarded in our government. If I was anyone else, I’d lose the baby and have to marry Smith,” Luca said, a tremor surging through him. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he burrowed his head deeper against his father’s shoulder. “Damn, Whithers is right. I’ve turned into a crier. Shit!”

Gregory’s laughter rocked Luca. He joined his father with a soft chuckle until they both calmed down. “Where’s Dad?”

“Lying down.”

“Dad?” Luca couldn’t keep the incredulity out of his voice as he pulled away from his father. “Why? I thought he wasn’t injured. Dad would never lie down during the day, never.”

“He would if someone made him,” Gregory replied. “I wanted him to rest for an hour, so he’s doing that.”

Luca raised an eyebrow. “If I told you you’re delusional, would you be angry with me?”

“Delusional?” Gregory cleared his throat. “I’m not sure I like to be spoken to in that way.”

“Father, do you seriously think he’ll stay in bed when you’re not there?”

Gregory opened his mouth, then clicked it shut. Maybe Luca shouldn’t’ve said anything, because his father was pursing his lips, a telltale sign of annoyance. Gregory clicked on a communicator pinned to his right breast pocket on his jacket. “Nicky?”

Crackling static filled the air till Nicholas’s voice came on. “I’m lying in bed, like you said. Stop making a pest of yourself.”

“If I’d happen to send someone in right now to verify your statement, what would said person see?” Gregory asked.

“Greg, I’m seriously in bed, like you told me to be. I considered getting out of it, but Julietta heard of the tumult and she’s being horrible to me.”

Julietta’s soft voice came on as well, and Luca couldn’t help but smile when he heard his sister’s sigh. “Father, I’m with Dad, and he’s in bed. He’ll stay in bed and keep the ice pack on his throat, since it’s turning into an ugly shade of blue. The doctor comes by again in about half an hour, and Dad has taken something for the light swelling. He’s bitching around, but the twins decided to cheer him up by bringing their pads and pencils and drawing with him.”

“Except that I can’t draw. Luca, sweetheart, how are you doing?”

“Fine, Dad. Want me to come over and help with the drawing?” Luca asked.

“That would be wonderful. Bring your father with you, okay?” Nicholas said. In the background, Julietta’s three-year-old twins, Jade and Jorja, squealed something.

“We’ll be there in a moment,” Gregory replied before he cut the connection. He laid a finger underneath Luca’s chin, tipping his head back. “Are you sure you’re up for your nieces? Not to mention your sister, who’ll probably give you lots of advice regarding your pregnancy?”

“Don’t forget Dad, who must feel awful if he’s asking for you to come back.” Luca smiled, making sure his father knew he was teasing, though Nicholas rarely asked for his father, and when he did, he did feel horrible.

“Let’s go,” Gregory said as he pulled Luca to his feet. Luca hurried into his favorite pair of sneakers and followed his father to the door, rolling up the sleeves of the sweater. With his hand already on the doorknob, Greg turned to smile at him. “One of Marcus’s sweaters?”

“Um, yes.” Luca shifted from one foot to the other.

“You and your dad are so much alike in so many things. Your dad still steals my sweaters, especially when he’s unwell.”

“They’re probably comfy. Besides, Marcus’s sweaters always smell good.” Luca cringed upon discovering a grin on his father’s face. “Forget I said that. I sound like a fool.”

“Love does the strangest things to people.”

LUCA SPENT
the rest of the day with his parents, oldest sister, and her twin girls. Julietta’s husband picked her and the girls up around dinnertime, but Luca stayed with his parents to have a light dinner. The doc had come by and assured Gregory that Nicholas was fine; the light swelling at his throat wasn’t dangerous. Nicholas seemed relieved, but he remained plastered to Greg’s side most of the evening.

Around eight o’clock, Luca’s gaze strayed to his watch of its own accord. Where was Marcus? It couldn’t take that long for him to sign the papers.

Luca shifted on the sofa before he rolled the dice, groaning when he’d had to send his piece to jail yet again. “I hate Monopoly. Why do we even have to play this game? It’s like what? Four hundred years old?”

“You just hate it because you’re in jail again. Last time we played, you said it was one of the best games ever invented,” Nicholas replied.

“At the time, I was winning. Would you mind if we stop? I’m tired, and I’d like to look for Marcus. Can’t be without my bodyguard for that long,” Luca tried to joke.

“It’s taking him a long time,” Nicholas said, glancing up at Gregory. They were sitting together on the cream-colored sofa, with Nicholas leaning against his husband’s side.

“Marcus hasn’t been on the list, and he’s not nobility. That takes way longer to make sure the contracts are unchallengeable.” Gregory rubbed circles along Nicholas’s chest, and his calm demeanor helped Luca to stop working himself up.

A knock rang from the door, and a moment later Marcus stepped inside. Luca was up and about before he knew what happened. He threw himself at Marcus, exclaiming, “There you are!”

Marcus laughed as he lifted Luca off his feet with a tight hug. Even Luca’s ribs protested at the tightness. Marcus smacked a kiss on his lips before he set him down again. “Miss me?”

“It’s fairly obvious that I did, huh? What took you so long?”

Marcus pulled a face. “I didn’t know there’d be so many contracts and papers I’d need to sign. I’m almost afraid to touch you if I think about all the regulations. What if I accidentally hurt you? Or the baby?”

“You’d never do that.”

“Of course not, but I’m also your bodyguard. Sometimes I have to manhandle you, and that could be seen as harmful,” Marcus replied.

Luca pressed his right hand over Marcus’s mouth, covering it. “I’m not going to accept your resignation, so you can forget about it. You’re my bodyguard, no one else.”

“Luca….”

His father cleared his throat. “Luca, you’ll be married soon. Marcus can’t legally be your bodyguard then anymore. You won’t have to decide on a new one right away, since you still have Keith, but you’ll have to get used to the idea of a new bodyguard.”

Luca shook his head. “No, that’s not acceptable. Dad, come on, there has to be a way around this.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but as far as I know, there isn’t one. It doesn’t mean Marcus has to protect someone else. I’m sure we’ll be able to find him a position that’ll allow him to stay close to you,” Nicholas answered, regret evident in his voice. “Or maybe Marcus already has an idea what he wants to do instead.”

“I’ve been mulling about different options for the past few weeks,” Marcus said. “But I haven’t come to a concrete conclusion, and I also wanted to wait for today so I could believe Luca and the baby will be officially mine.”

“We are yours, Marcus. Why didn’t you tell me you were thinking about changing jobs?”

Marcus gave him a bewildered look. “I thought you’d be aware of the fact that I can’t remain your bodyguard after you’ve become my spouse. It never occurred to me you couldn’t know.”

“I….” Luca trailed off, embarrassed. “I did know. I just didn’t think you’d have to follow this rule too. I mean… my father is the vice president… so….”

“Not everything can be achieved just because your father is a high-ranking official, Luca.”

“Is there really nothing we can do about this law?” Luca stared from his parents to Marcus, all of them shaking their heads, and rubbed his eyes when neither of them relented. He choked out, “I can’t believe there’s nothing that can be done.”

“I’m sorry, kitten,” Marcus whispered into his ear. He cupped the back of Luca’s head, securing him to his chest. “This is all a bit much. How about we go back to your room?”

Luca gave a jerky nod. Marcus laced their hands and tugged him toward the door after they’d quickly bid their good-bye to Luca’s parents. Marcus kept Luca’s hand in his as they walked to Luca’s room. Once inside, Marcus kicked the door closed and pulled Luca into a fierce embrace. Startled, Luca stiffened at first. A moment later, he molded against Marcus’s body, relishing the warmth and security Marcus provided.

They stood in silence in the dark room for a long time, breathing in unison. Marcus’s pulse thrummed steadily. He shook his head and pulled away, wondering when Marcus had started to be the center of his universe. A year ago, his main focus in life had been to avoid marriage at all costs. With the rest of his mind and power, he pursued his musical career. If there was one thing he was good at, it was singing and playing the harp. It was also the one thing that grounded him, kept him sane when everything else became too much.

Due to his heritage, he was privileged that he could even afford to pursue a musical career, which sometimes shamed him. Maybe he should’ve tried for something else—biology or genetics, like his dad. Then again, Luca had trouble understanding basic genetic codes, so it might be for the best. And anyway, breeders were rarely allowed to work with sensitive material or take up an occupation that held the potential to harm them or the babies they carried. Most of his siblings took care of their children and played the loving wife or husband, representing the breeder image the Confederacy liked so much. A breeder loved nothing more than carrying babies, giving birth, and raising children. Luca huffed in annoyance as he thought about the various propaganda leaflets and TV documentaries.

“What’s the huff for?” Marcus asked.

“Just thinking.”

“About what?” Marcus linked his hands in the small of Luca’s back, making it impossible for Luca to get farther away.

Luca shrugged. “Just thinking what an easy life I have compared to other breeders, and now I even get to marry the man I love. I didn’t think that would happen.”

Marcus bent his head, and Luca met him halfway for a gentle kiss. “Most breeders lead a privileged life, Luca, so why do you think yours is easier?”

“I even have a career. I play in the largest concert halls the Northern Confederacy has. Basically, I’ve turned my favorite hobby into a job. That’s something most breeders can’t achieve. Hell, it’s not something most people are able to achieve these days.”

“Do you want to feel bad about this? It’s not your fault humankind almost annihilated itself two centuries ago. You’re not responsible for the genetic experiments, the drug use, and all that came out of it,” Marcus stated firmly.

“Have you ever wondered how society would be today if everything had stayed the way it was? When only females could carry babies and conceive naturally? Now we’ve got very few women and men who can get pregnant, and everyone is fighting about them as if we’re some piece of meat. Not to mention the fights between the Northern Confederacy and the Southern Union.” Luca sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. He slid his hands upward to cup Marcus’s face. After stroking along Marcus’s slightly stubbled cheeks, he added, “How about some light? I can barely see you.”

Marcus nodded before he pressed a kiss in each of Luca’s palms. He laced their fingers and, without hesitation, led the way toward Luca’s bed. There he switched on the nightstand light. “Better?”

Luca nodded. “Yes.”

“How about you stop worrying for today?”

Luca glanced up at Marcus with a hopeful expression. “I’d like that.”

“Might I help you to stop overthinking everything?” Marcus’s smile lit up his entire face, and Luca reciprocated the grin. “I’ve got a good idea on how to occupy your mind.”

“Show me.”

MARCUS PULLED
Luca in for a kiss, tracing the seam of Luca’s lips with his tongue. Desire zinged through Luca, and he opened up for Marcus, allowing him entrance to his mouth. Their tongues flicked against each other while Marcus tugged Luca flush against his body. Luca rubbed his erection against Marcus’s thigh, sighing at the friction he gained.

Luca gasped when Marcus slid his hands underneath the sweater and undershirt. He brushed his fingers over Luca’s skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind. “Isn’t that one of my sweaters?”