Chapter 152

“Come on,” Luca murmurs, smiling down at me, and when I open my eyes I can’t help but smile back. “Let’s get inside – they’re probably eating Daphne alive in there.”

“Oh, no they’re not,” I say, dismissive of the idea and unwilling to go inside just yet, relishing this moment alone with my mate. I leaning closer against him for a warm moment, enjoying the hard muscle of his chest against my cheek, knowing that Ben and

which Rafe and Jesse are being perfect gentlemen inside. Or, at least, Ben and Rafe are, should be enough.

But Luca gives me a nudge, and when I look up at him, he wrinkles his nose at me. “Come on, gorgeous, let’s get you some of that champagne.”

“You trying to get me drunk, mate?” I murmur, smiling.

“Oh, absolutely,” he growls, dipping his face closer to mine for a quick kiss. And I laugh, but look over my shoulder, newly eager to get inside and see what my parents have set up for us. “Come on,” I say, grabbing Luca’s hand and turning to tug him inside, wanting him to see it. Because the train car – it really is something special.

As we duck through the door and I place my backpack on the little luggage rack next to the door, I do my best to tuck my anxieties about the missing Jackson away, not wanting Luca to feel any of it. Because I am excited to be here with him, and with the rest of my family and friends, and none of them deserve to have their excitement spoiled by me worrying about where my second mate is.

But I have to admit – it’s very difficult. Because where is he? Did he seriously choose two weeks of solitude over winter break with me, just because he’s overwhelmed?

I put a determined smile on my face, though, shoving these worries away as wave Luca into the beautiful train car, enjoying the way that his mouth hangs open as he turns around, taking in the gorgeous woodwork, the red leather and velvet seating all around. But even as I smile at Luca, my eyes catch on Rafe, who stands by the window with his arms crossed, watching me with a raised eyebrow.

Rafe and I don’t have a mind–link, obviously, but I can read the question all over his face. He’s intuiting that I have definitely noticed Jackson’s absence, as he has, and he’s asking me silently if I’m okay.

I give my brother a short nod and a shrug when Luca’s back is turned because what am I supposed to do about it now? Go to pieces, and ruin everyone’s good mood? Rafe holds my

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gaze for a long moment and then nods once, steady. And in that, I know that he’s telling me that he hears me, and he understands, and that whatever he needs me to do – he’ll do it. 1

And I beam at him, loving my brother anew for his secret, steady empathy, for his willingness to already be there.

Bolstered, I turn my attention back to the room, taking a further step in and deciding to dedicate myself to this moment, and to turn my mind to Jackson when I can. Because there’s already enough here drawing on my attention.

“This is amazing…” Luca murmurs,

his eyes

wide as he finishes looking around at the long row of windows on both sides of the car that allow us to look out over the countryside, the rich warmth of the wood–paneled walls. A little overwhelmed, he sinks onto a plush velvet seat by the window, leaning his arm against the adjoining table and staring over at the bar at the far side of the room where of course – Jesse is already pouring drinks, Daphne at his side being helpful and setting out the glasses.

–

Behind Jesse is a set of glass–lined refrigerators and cabinets that display an insane amount of delicious food – far too much for the six of us to eat and drink on the journey to the

Capital. But her hearty

congratulashand is all

over it, and I can see that it’s her gift to us,

congratulations. She’s stocked all of our favorites, after all – all the sandwiches we like, all the treats, all the things we like to drink.

Only wine and beer, I note with a grin, because she wants us to show up to the capital sober enough to walk. But, she also wants us to have a good time.

“Do you like it?” I ask, stepping closer to Luca with a smile and running a hand through his hair, unable to keep from touch it.

“Um, obviously,” he says with a laugh, grinning up at me and slipping a hand around my hips. “Do you seriously travel like this all the time?”

“This,” I say on a sigh, trying to sound as snobby as possible and make him laugh. “Or the private jet, or the helicopter, if we’re only going short distances but the bar cart on the helicopter is just

terrible – ”

Luca bursts into laughter, as I hoped he would, and pulls me into his lap, wanting me close. I press a kiss to his cheek, nudging him with my nose a little, so incredibly happy to be here.” Do you mind if I talk to Daphne?” I whisper, my eyes darting over to her behind the bar where Jesse is finishing up pouring out champagne. “I want to make sure that she knows that we’re okay-”