Chapter 17: Dinner With The Devil

"Nikita!"

"Luca, Nikita!"

"Luca!"

The paparazzi outside the restaurant broke into a cacophony of voices as Luca and Kit emerged from their car. Luca immediately placed his hand on Kit's lower back and propelled her forward, firmly but gently. He placed his other hand in front of her eyes to block the flashes going off.

"Just keep walking," he said directly into her ear as they marched past the wall of photographers and into the restaurant.

Once they were safely inside, Kit turned and offered Luca a grateful smile. "Thanks. I typically avoid hotspots like this, but I didn't pick the restaurant."

"Miss Simon, Mr. Brooks!" a chicly dressed woman addressed them confidently. "Welcome to Caprice, your party is this way. If you'll follow me?"

Luca smiled down at Kit and gestured for her to follow the hostess to their fate. He felt nerves start to build inside him now that Kit's mother was close by. The hostess came to a stop in front of a fairly central table, which didn't make Luca fe