Owned by Four Billionaires

Chapter Eighteen: The panic

LUCA’S POV

The kitchen smells like garlic and basil.

I’m next to the stove stirring my spaghetti. I don’t care if I have 3 Michelin-star chefs on payroll. If I’m stressed, I cook.

I’ve got sauce simmering, pasta water boiling, and my dearest brothers sprawled around the marble island.

Damian is on his phone closing a deal and Elias is pretending to read the paper.

Noah isn’t here yet, I guess he must be working late.

“Eli?” I say, gesturing with the spoon. “What is this, 1998? Just get the app like a normal person.”

He doesn’t look up. “I like the ink on my fingers.”

“Weird flex,” I mutter, tossing pepper at him. “Where’s Aria?”

The room goes quiet for half a second.

“She’s been in her office all day,” I say. “Didn’t come down for lunch.”

Which is very weird of her, since she started working for us she’s only skipped lunch twice.

I keep stirring the sauce when I hear footsteps.

Then Aria slips into the kitchen in sweats and an oversized hoodie. Her hair’s in a messy bun and she looks tired.

“Hey,” she says quietly.

“Hey.” I turn off the stove and lean against the counter. “You hungry? I’m making spaghetti.”

She goes straight for the bread.

“Aria.”

She freezes, hand on the loaf. “Yeah?”

“You’re not making a sandwich.” I grin, but I keep my voice soft. “I spent 2 hours on this sauce. You’re gonna hurt my feelings.”

She gives me a small smile. “I’m not that hungry.”

“Bullshit.” I step closer carefully. The last time I got too close, I overstepped and landed in the doghouse.

So I don’t touch her. “You look like you need carbs and someone to yell at. I can provide both.”

She laughs a little. “I’m fine, Luca.”

“You’re not fine.” The words come out before I can stop them.

Her eyes flick up to mine.

“You’ve got that look,” I say. “Like you’re thinking too loud.”

“I’m just tired.”

“From what?” I bump her shoulder with mine playfully.

“Did Damian work you late again? Because I’m telling you, that man….”

“I’m fine,” she cuts me off.

Right, something is definitely off. Even Damian and Elias sense it.

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Spaghetti red or white tonight?”

“Red,” she mumbles.

“Red it is, that is my specialty.” I turn back to the stove so she doesn’t see me frowning.

The kitchen door slams open and Noah enters the room.

“Evening,” he says.

“Evening,” I say, but I’m watching Aria.

She goes rigid the second she sees him.

Noah’s eyes go straight to her.

“Can I talk to you?”

“Now?” Aria asks.

“Now.”

I keep stirring, but my jaw is tight.

“Food’s almost ready,” I say casually. “She can eat first.”

“She won’t be here for dinner tonight,” Noah says.

My hand stops mid-stir.

“What?”

“I have plans for Aria tonight,” Noah says.

I turn to Aria, but she doesn’t say anything. She just stares at the floor.

“Plans,” I repeat. “What kind of plans?”

“Luca.” Noah’s voice drops, warning me not to interfere.

“No, I’m asking.” I put the spoon down. “Since when do you make plans for our assistant without telling us?”

“What I do with Aria is none of your business,” Noah says simply. Damian’s eyes shoot to Noah giving him death glares.

“Aria,” I say. “You good?”

She nods.

“Come on,” Noah says. He holds out his hand to her and she takes it.

And just like that, they’re walking out of my kitchen.

I stand there with my pot of spaghetti alongside Elias and Damian, watching them leave.

“What the f**k was that?” Damian exclaims.

“I don’t know,” I say.

The fact that Noah took her out on a date and now he’s acting like he owns her makes my blood boil.

I grab a towel and wipe my hands. My heart already pounding.

“Luca,” Elias says. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Ask questions? She’s all of our assistants and he’s acting like he owns her.”

“She’s an adult,” Elias says carefully. “If she said ….”

“I don't give a dam, what she said.” Damian snaps

The kitchen is silent for a bit.

And then I think of Noah's hands around her and his hands touching those lips I wished I could kiss again.

Hell no.

Not while I’m here.

“I’m going after them,” I say.

“Luca…” Elias says.

“I’m not starting a fight. I’m just checking on her.” I lie. I absolutely might start a fight.

“I’ll be back.”

I grab my keys and head for the door and Damian follows behind me. “I’m coming with you,” he says not wanting to discuss further.

As we walk out, I hear Elias mutter, “This is gonna be a disaster.”

Maybe.

But I’m not gonna sit in this kitchen and pretend I didn’t see the way he looked at her. She doesn’t belong to him and he needs to remember that.