Devotion

thirty seven ﾒ thank you for saving me, asshole

ANGELICA

Yesterday had to be the most vulnerable I'd caught myself with Luca since we were sixteen and stupid with our choices. There have been some moments with us, ever since this project, and I've missed our friendship more than the romance. Was becoming his friend that night at that club the best idea? No. Do I regret it despite being drunk as hell? Also, no. He was once the love of my life, my best friend, enemy, and rival all bundled up in one. And he is the only one who understood me more than every guy could.

And that's painful to admit considering I fucking hate his guts. But I miss him all the time. Especially when he smells like heaven.

I fake sleep just so he can be concerned, and that's enough for me. I'll never admit it to him, but it's there. The friendship feels are there, and that's just as shitty as lying on a thick, uncomfortable cot side by side. Which we happen to be doing because he stayed, 'cause he was worried. I may be a hard ass but I'm also a girl. Let me bask in the male glory a little, okay?

Unfortunately, that dream is over. When the both of us jolt awake noticing the entangled limbs and slight tight hold he had on my waist was what fueled the fire. I groggily awake, blinking against the faint dim light filtering through the small window. Shifting uncomfortably, trying to find a spot where my head wasn't pained by this hard cot, before noticing that pillow was Luca's bicep. His eyes were already open and watching me with an unexplainable expression.

"Oh great, this wasn't a nightmare or jumpscare. It's just you. Why are you even so close to me anyway?" I ask, rubbing my eyes.

He smirks at my remark. "Good morning to you too, sunshine. Just making sure you didn't get into more trouble while I was asleep. I knew you wouldn't be able to get through to this strength."

"Please," I scoff. "My parents didn't put me into every fighting type class when I was younger to not being able to escape the enemy's son at any moment. I can handle you in a fight."

His eyebrows raise in curiosity. "So, high school graduation, you didn't say—" I cover his mouth, resting my forehead on his shoulder. "Thank you, Bertarelli," I say through clenched teeth. "But not only was that comment highly unnecessary to bring up but you're not obligated to do anything for me. Plus, I handle myself."

"Right," he drawls with scrunched eyebrows just screaming skepticism. "Because handling yourself means you're still here after a week and no success with escaping. But it's okay, I'm not mad at you." Luca pats my head.

"You look so adorable in your sleep, anyway. Almost makes me forget how much of a pain in the ass you can be when you're awake and conscious."

I grimace at his compliment. Because ADORABLE. Seriously???? "Adorable. Seriously. I've been kidnapped, have not had a hair or nail appointment since I've since proper light of day, a complete mess, and adorable is the adjective is describe me?" He nods with a sure expression.

"I will grab your crutches and break your nose with them," I threaten.

Completely ignoring the concerning insult and threat, he backtracks to the conversation we had before I said so. "Yes, adorable. Even with the bedhead and a year-old sew-in. You should look in the mirror, you can look endearing when you're not trying to castrate my dick."

"Because it's normal to watch me sleep," I deadpan. "You're even weirder when you're in pain. Is this how you spend your time with other women? Watching how they sleep? Maybe I should give you a taste of your own medicine and watch you sleep. And comment on how you snore."

"Just admit you like it when your muscular, sexy man is here for your rescue. It made you feel safe," he says.

I roll my eyes, sitting up to sit my back against the cold wall. "Safe? With you? I'm more likely to be killed being with you than without. And you're just a distraction."

"A sexy distraction."

I try and fight a smile. "Fine! Just a little. Not too much, though. And don't tell any of your airhead friends that I said that. I will castrate that dick of yours."

"Make sure you at least suck me off beforehand." My eyes widen. I was left speechless as he sat up and hoisted himself up onto his crutches. Before I could find an answer and he could tease me about the unsaid answer, my beautiful, blonde best friend pops up cheerfully with Rio through the other side of the bars. "Enough flirting with my best friend, Luke. And let us in, or get out before Brian comes back and puts us in there too," Leilani says.

Luca does as he's told by her, opening the cell. Leilani wastes no time, jumping on me, our limbs becoming tangled as we hug the air out of one another. "Ugh, please don't leave me alone again. You know I love you too much."

"Of course, Lei. Never again." I squeeze Leilani so tight.

Rio claps his hands as if he's summoning elementary schoolers under his belt. "As much as I love a cute little reunion of childhood best friends, I also love living which I won't be doing if my mother hears about this and Brian comes back. I've had to sacrifice."

We all laugh at his dramatics. Leilani and Rio check the scenery and run down the hall. She throws up a clear thumbs up. Once Luca goes over to them, Leo pops up with glasses. He's like a muscular Peter Parker.

I catch up to everyone. They help me out without killing me in the process. Once I make it out fully, I don't think I've been this grateful before. I'm too busy stuck on getting out and the people bonding I don't bother thinking about school for once. Watching Luca interact with people that we've all managed to keep as we've grown from the risky badass teenagers is a good sight.

Sooner or later, Leo and Rio walk ahead. Leilani gives me a tight side hug and Luca a pat on the shoulder before running to meet the others. "You look a mess compared to everyone else," he says with a smirk on his face. "But not bad for a week down there."

"Well, he may have almost killed but at least I was able to keep up my hygiene in there apart from my hair and nails."

"Because that matters more than your well-being. Such a fucking girl," he says, shaking his head before moving up on a stair. I didn't notice that we had gotten to me and Rowan's apartment. I was too busy talking to this fucker. Wasting no time, I run up the stairs to the door. I knock on the door so excited before realizing I owe him once.

As I turned, my face contorted uncomfortably, "So, I guess I owe you one, huh?" I ask him. Luca shrugs. "I mean, more than one since I've saved you countless times, but this was a non-negotiable thing. So, no favor."

I nod. I walk down the stairs, shyly. Awkwardly and shy as can be, I say, "Thank you for saving me, asshole." I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. "Anytime, De Santis," he mumbles.