Luca glared at me, eyes burning with accusation, but I didn’t back down. I met his gaze head-on, my own stare fierce, challenging him. If he thought he could yell at me or intimidate me, he was wrong. I’d had enough of that from my father—one man was enough. He wasn’t going to treat me like a child who’d gotten into a fight on the playground. I clenched my fists at my sides, daring him to raise his voice.

For a moment, we were locked in that silent battle, his eyes narrowing as if ...