Free For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) by Soraya Naomi Page A

communicate mostly through texting. Jason’s called, but I always hold him off. Why? I don’t even know.
    Alex’s investigation is at a standstill. Detective Wade informed me that at this point there isn’t enough evidence to look further into the case, but he never confirmed that the case was closed.
    Every day I miss Luca more instead of less. As the anger fades, the love is still tangible. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Time has only managed to worsen my depression. And the fact that I have too much time on my hands isn’t helping at all.
    I didn’t return Luca’s money, because after our confrontation about it, I realized that I’ll probably need it if I don’t find a job. Therefore, for now, the smartest thing is to keep the money. But I’m worried about the conditions that might come with that money – even though Luca didn’t mention any conditions – so I haven’t spent a dime.
    My nights are restless and filled with an unnerving recurring dream. I wake up drenched in sweat and remember my dream vividly. I’m stuck somewhere, surrounded by blackness, and I’m crying. There’s a need building in me to get out, but something hinders me from standing up. I used to have this dream where I’m partly awake, and I want to wake up fully, but I can’t open my eyes because they feel too heavy. In that weird dream state, I’d fight to open my eyes, but it was impossible. And then when I finally did wake, I remembered every second of the dream. This dream is similar. Only instead of trying to open my eyes, I want to get out of the dark, but I can’t. My limbs won’t work with me. The anxiety it gives me sparks an eerily realistic sensation, even after I’ve woken up.
    My phone catches my attention on the coffee table when it vibrates loudly.
    I stare at the screen before deciding not to ignore him. “You’re very persistent.”
    “You’re unreachable,” Jason retorts. “What are you doing? Wait, let me guess. You’re already in sweats, sitting on the couch?”
    “No,” I deny unconvincingly with a smile. “Not on the couch, on the floor.”
    “You’re coming with me tonight. My no-good friend who always cancels ditched me again, and I need a wingman. You need to get out of that house. Don’t sit at home on Saturday night.”
    I groan because I’m not in the mood to dress myself, and I think Cole is about to get vanquished. “No, I really—”
    “I’m picking you up at nine. You have over an hour to get ready.” And he hangs up.
    I finish the episode, and my favorite actor at the moment does get whacked – by the love of his life and her sisters. I’m shocked; this show is too awesome. I’m also a bit saddened that Cole got written out because he reminds me of Luca, and Cole and Phoebe remind me of Luca and me. I can identify with Phoebe’s struggle in being a part of Cole’s death, but I could never kill Luca. Cole loved Phoebe, and yes, he was evil, but the love was so intense I could feel it on my bones. How could Phoebe help her sisters kill Cole? Shit, I’m reprimanding a TV character for making a stupid decision, while I couldn’t even allow Luca in my life. And Luca wasn’t The Source of All Evil like Cole is, but I still want her to forgive him, while I couldn’t forgive Luca. Maybe, just maybe, I’m a little too invested in this show. For now, I turn off the TV.
    I stroll to my bedroom and fall back on the bed. I should stop whining and just go meet Jason. With a heavy sigh, I get up and head to the bathroom to start fixing myself up.
     
    ***
     
    “I really thought I would have to drag you out of that apartment kicking and screaming.” Jason kisses my cheek after I slide into the cab, and we drive away from my building.
    “For the first ten minutes, I was trying to come up with any excuse to get out of this, but I drew a blank.” I smile. “I actually do feel somewhat better after my shower and shaving my legs again after three weeks,” I whisper, and he