Page 60 of Lucky
Jacklyn glances at my rapidly reddening ears, her eyebrows lifting in curiosity. Recently, she’s mistakenly called me Luciano. I’d told her it was Lucky, not even referring to my birth name – Luca. I clear my throat but say nothing, my gaze fixed somewhere above the women’s heads.
Allegra, ever observant, catches it immediately and laughs. “Oh, has he given you the whole ‘It’s Lucky, not Luca’ spiel? Well, let me tell you something about Luca.” She looks at me pointedly, relishing my discomfort. “He’s the resident welcoming committee around here. Did he tell you how he welcomed me on my wedding day?”
My head snaps her way. “Allegra…” I warn, my voice low.
“Oh, come on. It’s a good story,” Allegra says, waving me off. She turns to Jacklyn, her eyes twinkling. She starts talking too quickly, and I have whiplash just trying to keep up with her.
“So, get this,” Allegra starts, her grin infectious. “It’s my wedding day, right? And I’m a total wreck. Scar’s this giant, brooding, terrifying mob boss who looks like he eats fear for breakfast. And me? I’m a girl who thought an ‘arranged marriage’ was something that only happened in old movies. So, there I am, practically hyperventilating, when Lucky knocks on my door.”
Jacklyn tilts her head, intrigued. I groan, already bracing himself for what’s coming. “Allegra?—”
“No, no, don’t stop me!” Allegra cuts me off, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, he walks in, all cool and collected, like he’s just there to borrow a cup of sugar or something. But then he says something and starts laughing.”
Jacklyn’s brows shoot up. “Laughing?”
“Laughing,” Allegra confirms, doubling down with a dramatic reenactment. “I’m standing there, in my wedding dress, a bundle of raw nerves, and he’s cracking up like someone just told him the world’s funniest joke. I’m thinking, ‘Oh great, the mob’s resident comedian is here to make my life worse.’ But no—he tells me he’s come to welcome me to the house. And he keeps laughing. Like, the kind of laugh that makes you question if he’s sober.”
She pauses, her expression shifting to mock suspicion as she turns to Lucky. “You weren’t high that day, were you?”
Jacklyn bursts into laughter before I can respond, and Allegra’s theatrics only fuel it. I sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. I somehow don’t remember the story the way she’s telling it. “For the last time, I wasn’t high. It’s called nervous laughter.”
Allegra smirks. “Uh-huh, sure. Well, nervous or not, it was the weirdest ‘welcome to the family’ moment ever. But honestly?” She leans in closer to Jacklyn, as though sharing a secret. “It worked. His ridiculous laughing fit snapped me outof my spiral. I only ended up burning my wedding dress.” She shoots Jacklyn a cheeky wink before she gets ready to leave.
Jacklyn is grinning so hard her cheeks must hurt. “Sounds like he has a unique approach to stress management.”
I shoot her a look, but my lips twitch in a reluctant smile. “You two done yet?”
Allegra pats his shoulder as she heads for the door. “Not even close, but I’ll spare you—for now.” She winks again at Jacklyn, the two already warming up to each other. “Welcome to the madhouse, by the way. You’re going to fit right in.”
With that, she’s gone, leaving me shaking my head and Jacklyn chuckling.
“She’s… something,” Jacklyn says, her voice laced with amusement. “Is she always like that?”
I smile, my lips curving in a resigned smile. “Yeah, she is. Scar never stood a chance.”
Jacklyn catches my gaze, her own softening. “I like her. And for what it’s worth, I think your awkward welcome was probably exactly what she needed.”
I shrug, but there’s a flicker of warmth in my expression. “Maybe. Just don’t go expecting a comedy routine every time I show up.”
Jacklyn smirks. “Noted. But I’ll admit—I’m a little curious now.”
“Careful what you wish for,” I warn her.
Jacklyn steps closer, the space between us narrowing. “Always so serious. Where are you hiding that other side of you, Luciano?”
I don’t correct her as she teases me. For a moment, I don’t even respond. My gaze meets hers, and the air between us hums. Then I break the moment, taking a step back. “Get some rest,” I tell her, my voice quieter now. “You’ve had enough excitement for today.”
The compound is lockeddown tighter than Fort Knox. Guards patrol every conceivable entrance and cameras track even the slightest movements. They’re so sophisticated, I’m sure they could even capture the air as it breezes past the entryway. Scar’s estate has been converted into something resembling a military operation overnight, and now all business is being conducted from the basement of the mansion—a room we’ve nicknamed the War Room.
The War Room at Scar’s home isn’t part of the regular estate tour. It has its own entrance tucked discreetly off the side of the house and is rarely used unless things are serious. Mostly, it was built in as a panic room – we each have one in the basement of our homes.
The hallways are quieter than usual as Jacklyn and I head in that direction, the atmosphere heavy with the unspoken tension of looming threats.
“So, how is this going to work?” Jacklyn asks, her voice breaking the stillness.
I glance at her, keeping my steps even. “How is what going to work?”
“Me being here in this house. Away from my own home, my family, my business…”