Crosschecking Hate

Chapter Twelve :Luca

I barely spoke during the drive home.

Not because I was calm.

Because I was trying very hard not to lose control completely.

Elena sat beside me quietly, twisting her fingers together in her lap while rain streaked across the windshield.

Rowan touching her replayed in my head over and over.

Her hand on his chest.

The way he looked at her.

The way she looked back.

It made something ugly burn beneath my skin.

The second we stepped into my apartment, I pulled her against me.

Hard.

“Elena,” I said roughly, gripping her waist. “Tell me the truth.”

Her brown eyes widened slightly. “About what?”

“Do you want him?”

The silence that followed nearly killed me.

Not because she answered.

Because she didn’t.

I closed my eyes briefly, jaw tight.

“Damn it.”

“Luca—”

“I’m not letting you go.”

The words came out instantly.

Certain.

Possessive.

She touched my face softly. “You’re hurting.”

“Yeah,” I admitted quietly. “Because I love you.”

Her expression softened immediately.

And that right there was why this whole situation terrified me.

Because Elena loved gently.

Honestly.

While Rowan and I loved like violence.

I kissed her before I could think too hard about it.

Slow at first.

Then deeper when she melted into me.

Relief hit me instantly.

Mine.

Still mine.

I backed her against the wall near the living room while her fingers tangled into my shirt. The tension between us felt sharp tonight, fueled by jealousy and fear and everything left unsaid.

“You came to me,” I murmured against her lips.

“Always.”

My chest tightened painfully at the answer.

I kissed along her jaw slowly while she tilted her head back, breathing unevenly.

Then movement outside the apartment window caught my attention.

I stilled instantly.

Rowan.

Standing across the street in the rain.

Watching.

Elena followed my gaze and froze.

For a long moment none of us moved.

Then Rowan slowly looked away like he realized he shouldn’t be there.

Shouldn’t be watching.

But couldn’t stop himself.

Something dark twisted inside me.

Jealousy.

Territory.

Maybe even curiosity.

I looked back at Elena, fingers brushing through her hair.

“If we shared you,” I said quietly, “I still wouldn’t let you go.”

Her breath caught sharply.

The confession hung heavily between us.

Because it wasn’t permission.

It was obsession.

And somewhere out in the rain, Rowan Cross was still watching the girl both of us were falling apart over.