Azira
When I get to my dorm room and turn on the light, I practically jump out of my skin.
Luca is perched on the edge of my bed, smirking at me.
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I cross my arms over my chest. “You realize the girl’s dorm is off limits to guys?”
He chuckles. “It’s not off limits to faculty staff.” He stands and walks over to me, his expression turning serious. “We need to talk.”
I narrow my eyes. “About what?”
He tilts his head. “About the fact that you’re fucking a professor.”
It feels like all the blood drains from my body as I blink a few times, wondering if I heard him right and if perhaps I’m asleep and this is a nightmare. The last thing I need right now is for my family to learn about my relationship with Blaine.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
His expression turns furious, which is rare for Luca. “Don’t play games with me, Azira,” He warns, the normally carefree brother I’ve always known nowhere to be found. “I’m putting a stop to it.”
I draw in a deep inhale as I know I’m in too deep to stop. “Why the fuck do you care, anyway?”
His jaw clenches. “You know that as a Sidorov you are destined to be married by arrangement, and certainly not to some washed up professor.”
Hearing him insult Bly affects me more than I’d expect. It feels like he’s insulting me as an extension. “You don’t know him,” I snap.
“I don’t need to know him, Azira.” Luca shakes his head. “Massimo has requested your return to Chicago two weeks early. Oak has given the go ahead and confirmed you’ll still graduate. You will only return for the ceremony.” He glances at his watch. “You are due to leave in twenty minutes.”
I stare with my mouth open. “You told him without even checking with me that it was true?” It’s hard to believe that Luca is not only a professor but a snitch.
“You know it’s my responsibility to the family to tell him, since he’s the boss now. As for checking whether it was true, I saw the two of you kissing in his office, so I saw it with my own eyes.” He shrugs. “Massimo just wants you to get some space and clear your head.”
“Motherfucker,” I murmur, anger and disappointment mixing as I stare at the brother I always favored. Turns out becoming a professor made him grow up into an asshole. “What the hell has happened to you, Luca?”
“Nothing.” He holds my gaze. “I’m just doing the right thing for once.” Luca walks toward my closet and pulls out my smallest suitcase. “Pack now.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I set my hands on my hips and glare at him.
“Don’t make me drag you out of here kicking and screaming.” He wheels the case toward the bed. “Pack a bag. The rest I’ll bring back.”
Anger rises inside of me that my brothers think they can control my life. “As I said, why is it any of your business who I sleep with?”
He sighs. “If it’s just fucking, it doesn’t matter as long as you are taking precautions.”
Heat flames over my skin as my brother and I have never spoken about this kind of thing. I’ve been on the pill for a few years now due to terribly heavy and painful periods, so I’ve got that covered. Even though Bly never even asked or checked that I was on any form of contraception, which is a little weird.
“However, you can’t get attached. You know what your role is in this family and have done for years.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Massimo will discuss it with you when you get back tonight.”
“I won’t be back tonight even if I leave now.” I glance at my watch.
“You will, as you are taking the jet back.”
“What the fuck? It’s not like this is an emergency. Why would I take the jet?”
Luca’s expression hardens. “Because Massimo wants to get ahead of this fast.” His eyes narrow. “Pack your bag and I’ll wait outside the door.” He pauses just as he’s about to exit the room and turns back to me. “I almost forgot. Massimo asked me to retrieve your cell phone from you.” He holds his hand outstretched.
For a moment, I just stare in disbelief. “Are you fucking serious?”
He winces. “Unfortunately, yes. Massimo doesn’t want you contacting Luigi while you are back in Chicago. You can have it back once the week is out.”
I stare at my phone and then at Luca. “Can’t I-”
“No, not one text or call.” He gestures for me to hand it over. “It was Massimo’s orders.”
I stare at him for a few long seconds in utter disbelief, before walking forward and slamming it into his outstretched palm. “You are being as big an asshole as him.”
A muscle flexes in his jaw. “I’m just doing my duty.”
“Fuck duty.” I turn away from him, but he grabs my wrist and stops me.
“Father is sick and Massimo is just doing what he’s supposed to do. Don’t hold it against him and listen to what he has to say.”
I yank my wrist away in anger, and march into my closet without another word. There’s nothing more to say. I’m being taken hostage by my own family. Forced away from my friends without saying goodbye. But that’s not the most painful thing, it being ripped away from the man I inexplicably love.