Code of Honor

by Missy Johnson

“I can’t believe you did that to me,” I mutter. But I’m beginning to see the funny side to it and I can’t help but laugh. “Anyway, I’m celebrating.”

  “Alone? That’s sad.” I stick my tongue out at him. “Okay, so what are you celebrating? A new Justin Bieber song out?”

  I groan. “It was once, and I was, like, freaking fifteen years old. You can’t keep bringing that up.”

  He chuckles. “Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right. So, what are you celebrating?”

  I hesitate, suddenly wondering whether I should tell him. I trust him enough not to tell my father, but the more people I tell, the more real the possibility of me actually getting to go is.

  “I got in. They accepted me, Pietro.” God, I’m on the verge of crying. Embarrassed, I try to calm myself.

  “Really? That’s great,” he says. He sounds genuinely happy for me, which makes me feel good. “Though I’m not surprised. You really don’t get how amazing you are when you dance, do you?”

  I wasn’t expecting him to say that. My cheeks heat up as I fight the smile forming on my lips.

  “That wasn’t meant to sound as creepy as it did either,” he adds, wincing. “I mean, it’s not like I hide outside your studio watching you dance or anything. Just, the few times I’ve seen you, you’ve taken my breath away. God, I’m making things worse.” He groans and I laugh, reaching out to touch his arm.

  “It’s fine. I get what you’re trying to say and I appreciate it. I’m glad someone in this house sees how much dancing means to me.”

  “You’re talking about your father,” he guesses, and I nod. “I’m sure he does know, Luce. He just has a hard time showing it.”

  “Yeah, well.” I make a face. “I’m going to tell him now. This should be entertaining.”

  “He might surprise you,” Pietro comments.

  I give him a look. “And he might not.”

  —

  “Dad?” I ask, gently rapping on his office door.

  “Come in, Lucia.”

  He smiles as I push the door open. I close it behind me. My heart pounds and I sit down in one of the chairs surrounding his desk, resting my arms on the thick marble surface.

  “Are you busy?” I ask. “I can come back later if you like,” I say, already half out of my seat. I’m procrastinating, looking for any reason I can to put this conversation off.

  “I always have time for you,” he replies. “Sit down. What’s going on?”

  “I got into the New York Ballet Company, in New York City.” I blurt the words out, my eyes glued to his, waiting for his reaction. He doesn’t say anything. After what feels like an eternity, he simply nods, his hands neatly clasped in front of him. “Did you hear me?” I say, my voice shaking. This was not the fiery reaction I was expecting.

  “I heard you, Lucia.”

  Okay. I’m stumped. He’s pretty much ended the conversation before it’s even begun and I have no idea how. It hits me that he isn’t the least bit shocked by my news. It’s almost like he knew. But that’s ridiculous, isn’t it?

  “You’re not surprised at all by this, are you?” Somehow, I find my voice. He shrugs, the slight flash of guilt in his eyes the only confirmation I need.

  “How did you know?” I gasp.

  “Your notification came in a rather large envelope that piqued my curiosity, and then once I opened it—”

  “You opened my mail?” I yell, getting to my feet.

  “Calm down, Lucia. I nearly always open your mail first,” he replies, rolling his eyes like I’m overreacting. Is he serious? I knew he was overprotective, but opening my mail feels like a huge invasion of privacy.

  “You have to be able to see how wrong that is,” I say, shaking my head. His ignorance is almost funny. “I can’t believe you would do this to me. Do you go through my emails and texts too?” I hold up my hand. “Actually, I don’t even want to know.”

  “You snuck off to some audition halfway across the country and somehow I’m the bad guy?”

  “I’m twenty-one, Dad. I don’t need your permission to do anything,” I declare, throwing my arms up.

  “Then why are you in here?” he asks sharply.

  That’s a good point. Why am I here, ready to beg for his blessing?

  Shrugging, I stand up and walk over to the door. “You’re right. I came in here because I wanted you to accept that I’m old enough to make my own decisions, but this whole conversation has made me realize you’re not capable of letting me do that. I’m going to New York, Dad. I hope one day you’ll be able to understand why.”

  I walk out, my head held high. Closing the door behind me, I begin to doubt what I just did. It’s the first time I’ve really stood up to my father for something I believe in.

  And while it feels good, I’m as scared as hell that I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.

  Chapter 4

  Pietro

  I wince as I hear Lucy’s voice rise, followed by Giovanni’s. The yelling wasn’t a good sign. My fears are confirmed when I hear his door slam shut, followed by the front door. Glancing out the window, I see Lucy get into her car. The wheels screech as she speeds away.

  “You heard all that¸ I take it?” I jump as Giovanni appears behind me. His expression is dark and I’m hesitant to get involved, but then I remember, I’m always involved.

  “It could have gone better,” I admit.

  “You know, I’m guessing?”

  “She told me just before she told you.”

  “And you think I should let her go?” he growls, scowling at me.

  “I think you know the answer to that. If you try to hold on to her you’ll end up losing her.”

  “Fuck,” he curses, slamming his fist against the wall. “I can’t look out for her over there, Pietro. At least here I can make sure she’s safe.”

  I shrug. “It’s your call whether you support her on this, but I don’t think there’s much you can say that will stop her.”

  He breathes out sharply. “You think she’ll go regardless of what I think.”

  “She just told you she would.” I laugh. He scowls at me, which wipes the smirk off my face. “Look, I think she knows this opportunity is too good for her to pass up.”

  “She’s a good girl. She wouldn’t go without my blessing. I don’t care what she says,” Giovanni mutters. But even he doesn’t look convinced.

  “Even if that’s true, is that really what you want? Her hating you because you’re trying to stop her from growing up?” I try another approach. “You’ve seen her dance, Giovanni. Do you think she can make it?”

  “Of course she can. She’s a Spontagio. She can do whatever she puts her mind to.”

  “Not if you don’t let her,” I say, leaving it at that. I don’t want to push him too far. He just needs to think about it and he’ll realize that I’m right. “While I’m here…” I hesitate, questioning whether or not to bring up my family again.

  “If this is about your parents, please, not now,” he mutters irritably. “I’m sorry, but it’s not a good time.”

  I want to laugh.

  When is it ever a good time?

  “Fine.” I sigh. “I have some things to do. I’ll see you later.”

  I walk out to my car, get in, and then sit there for a moment, before revving it to life. I’ve been putting off going home for days—mostly because of the mess I left it in, but now seems like as good a time as any to go. Maybe cleaning would take my mind off her.

  I walk inside and toss my keys on the kitchen counter. Apart from the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, it’s not as bad as I remembered. I contemplate buying some new plates rather than dealing with the old ones. The only thing that stops me is the fact that I can’t be bothered going out again.

  I spend the next ten minutes tidying up the kitchen and then run the vacuum over the floors. Standing back, I survey my work. Much better. Now it only looks half inhabitable.

  Next I go through the pile of mail I brought inside with
me. It’s mostly bills and junk mail, all of which I drop straight in the trash. My phone vibrates. Pulling it out from my pocket, I see that it’s Chase, my best friend.

  Chase: Dude, haven’t seen you in weeks. Meet us at the Cambrian at eight, okay? No excuses.

  I type back that I’ll be there. Honestly, it sounds like exactly what I need. I spend way too much time with Giovanni and Lucy as it is. It’s so easy to forget about my own life, or how much of a mess it is.

  It’s nearly eight when I make my way down to the Cambrian. It’s a small bar, perfect for catching up with friends. I’ve been meeting the guys here since our college days. And for them, not much had changed. They drink way too much, then spend half the night trying to hit on girls who want nothing to do with them. It’s kind of funny to watch.

  Chase stands up when he spots me, waving his arms around like a lunatic.

  “It’s Pietro,” he cries out with way too much enthusiasm. Half the bar turns around to check out who Pietro is. I smile, embarrassed. Fuck. He’s already drunk. And it looks like the other guys are not too far behind him.

  “Hey.” I grin, sliding into the chair. I flag down a waitress and order myself a Scotch.

  “Dude, where have you been?” Max asks, pulling me into a hug. I laugh. The guy always gets way too affectionate after a few drinks.

  I met Chase in freshman year of high school. I was the new kid in town, new to the whole country. I would have been the perfect target for bullies had it not been for the fact that 90 percent of the female student body was attracted to the silent brooding Italian who was angry with the world.

  I’m sure Chase initially befriended me so he could get closer to the girls. Whatever the reason, we became firm friends, a friendship that lasted right through college. We met Max and Pete in our first year of college. The four of us soon became inseparable.

  “Sorry guys, I’ve been busy.”

  “With Lucy?” Chase asks, rolling his eyes.

  I don’t answer because I don’t need to. They know it’s always Lucy.

  “Seriously dude, just man up and ask her out. Who gives a shit what the old man thinks?”

  I chuckle, knowing he’s as scared of Giovanni as I am. “Excuse me if I don’t take advice from a guy who got beaten by his girlfriend’s father.” I grin.

  “Hey, I was seventeen. I guess the shock of seeing me in bed with his little girl was too much to handle.” He smiles the same cheeky smile that has worked on endless women. “Back to Lucy, you’ve been in love with her for what, eight years? I don’t think it’s going to go away.”

  “No, but she is,” I mutter, taking a sip of the Scotch that’s just been sitting in front of me. My stomach twists. Tonight was supposed to be to forget about the fact that she was leaving.

  “She’s what?” asks Chase.

  “Leaving.”

  “No fucking way. Seriously? What the hell you can do with your time if you’re not pining over Lucy?” He howls with laughter.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “Thanks for the sympathy.”

  “Where’s she going?”

  “New York. She got into a ballet company. I’m happy for her, but fuck—”

  I shake my head.

  “Well, good on her. At least someone is following their dreams, huh?” He nudges me and I scowl at him. Just then my phone rings.

  “Hello?” I snap, still annoyed at Chase.

  “It’s Giovanni. I’d like you to join me for dinner. I have something important to discuss with you.”

  Rubbing my forehead, I sigh. Is one night off really too much to ask? Apparently it is.

  “Sure. See you soon.”

  I hang up the phone as Chase glares at me.

  “You’re leaving?” he asks, incredulous.

  “Sorry, we’ll catch up properly soon, okay?” Chase mutters something under his breath. I ignore him and kick back my seat, grabbing my keys and my phone. “See you later, guys.”

  —

  “Pietro.”

  I turn and see Lucy running toward me. Her bright blue eyes lock onto mine, and she smiles. My heart pounds as I watch her move. She’s so graceful and delicate. And not to mention stunning. The way her long dark hair hangs in waves over her slender shoulders, her porcelain skin glowing as she grins at me.

  “Father said I could go. He’s given me his blessing. Can you believe it?” She lets out a laugh. “I sure as hell can’t. It had to have been something you said.”

  “I just told him what he already knew,” I say, embarrassed. “Deep down, he realized there was no stopping you.”

  “Well, thank you,” she whispers. She takes my hand and leans forward, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

  And you have no idea how much I hate the thought of you leaving.

  “I have to go. Bell is taking me out to celebrate. Speak later, okay?”

  She pats my arm and races off toward Bella, who has just pulled up in her red sports car. It is hard enough watching her leave for a few hours. I don’t even want to think about her leaving forever.

  Sighing, I turn back around and make tracks toward the house. I’ve got no idea what Giovanni wants to talk to me about. Frankly, I don’t care. All I wanna do is go home, pour myself a drink, and slump in front of the TV.

  Is it too much to ask?

  I walk through to the formal dining room, which has been set up for two people. Alsia stands at the head of the table pouring wine into the wineglass that sits in front of Giovanni. She glances up and smiles at me.

  “Wine, Mr. Pietro?” she asks in her gentle, soft voice.

  “Thank you.” I smile at her as I take my seat opposite Giovanni.

  The smell of fish and fresh herbs restores my senses. I look at the spread set out between us, my mouth salivating. No wonder I’m so hungry. I skipped lunch. The last thing I ate was cake when I was with Lucy in the kitchen.

  “Eat,” Giovanni orders, waving his hands over the food. I dish myself up a serving of fish and salad.

  “I ran into Lucy outside. She told me you gave her your blessing.”

  “You sound surprised,” Giovanni grumbles.

  “I guess I am. After our last conversation.” I laugh. “She’ll be fine, you know,” I assure him. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Lucy can take care of herself.

  “I know she will be.” Giovanni grins. “Because you’ll be there, watching her.”

  Chapter 5

  Pietro

  “What?” I say, sure I misheard him. His gleaming smile assures me I didn’t. Everything begins to click into place. Of course he wouldn’t let her go without ensuring he had someone to watch over her.

  “You’ll be going to New York. You were pushing me to let her go, no?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at me.

  “Yes, but having me follow her kind of defeats the whole point I was trying to convey.” I laugh.

  I rub my jaw. Me going to New York to look out for Lucy? I have to admit, I wasn’t completely against the idea. It sure beats staying here, pining over her. I wouldn’t admit this to Giovanni or Lucy, but I worried about her too. Giovanni’s business interests meant he upset a hell of a lot of people. There were plenty of people out there capable of hurting Lucy to avenge a wrongdoing of her father’s.

  “She’ll kill you if she finds out,” I mutter. “Not to mention what she’d do to me.”

  “So, don’t let her find out.” He shrugs as if it were that simple. I shake my head and lean back. He grins at me like he knows I’ll say yes. The bastard knows I’d do anything for him and Lucy. “I’ll set you up in an apartment close by. I don’t expect you to shadow her 24/7, just make sure she’s okay. You can handle that, can’t you?”

  Breathing out, I nod. I’m sure I’m going to end up regretting this, but I can’t see an alternative, nor do I really want to.

  “So, when is all this taking place?” I ask, my voice sour. “You’ve already lined up her accommodations, haven’t you?” I knew h
im well enough to know that he wouldn’t have said yes to her without having everything in place first.

  “And yours,” he says, his dark eyes smiling.

  I laugh and shake my head. “What if I’d said no?”

  “You were always going to say yes, Pietro. You don’t say no to me, remember?” I narrow my eyes at him. He has no idea how much I wish I could say no to him sometimes. “Give her a few days to settle in, and then you go over. I don’t want her being suspicious,” he adds.

  “You agreeing to her going is enough to set her suspicions off, Giovanni.” I laugh. “She’s not stupid. She knows you’ll have someone lined up to watch her.”

  “Maybe. But that’s not your concern. You look after my little girl and I’ll make it very worthwhile for you. You know I consider you like a son. I’m not going to be in the position to run my affairs forever, you know.”

  I knew very well. It wasn’t the first time he had hinted about me becoming more involved with the business side of things.

  “Not only that, there are things I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time. Things about your family.” He frowns, his dark eyes tired. “I’ve struggled with when you should know this, if at all.”

  “Anything you know about my father and my family’s death I want to know. I’ve made that clear,” I reply, my chest tightening. “Repeatedly.”

  “Wanting to know something and being ready to hear are two very different things, Pietro. You’ll know everything soon enough. There are some things I need to get in order before I tell you any more, and I need your promise that you’ve given up on the idea of getting revenge.”

  I have no idea how to take this news. I want to demand he tell me everything now, but I also truly believe he is looking out for me. If he needs time, it must be for a good reason. I sit back and think for a moment. Is this still about wanting revenge, or is it about closure? I’m not sure I can even answer that.

  “Fine.” I sigh. “You win. I guess I’ll go pack my things. I’ll need to speak to my academic advisor and get permission to finish my classes online or at another school in New York.”

  “I have no idea why you’re bothering with that degree. Surely you realize it’s only a matter of time before you’re working with me? It’s in your blood, Pietro. You can’t deny who you are.”