Chapter 110: Under the Surface

After dinner, Ethan and Luca moved to the living room while Marcus stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. The evening had gone better than expected, but Luca couldn't shake the feeling that there was more Marcus wasn't saying. He was polite, but Luca had sensed a subtle caution in his brother's demeanor. It wasn't surprising; Luca knew that winning over Ethan's family would take time.

As he sat on the couch, Luca could see Marcus's silhouette through the glass doors, his expression obscured in the dim light. Ethan's hand brushed against Luca's, pulling him out of his thoughts. "You did great tonight," Ethan murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Marcus isn't the easiest person to warm up to."

Luca smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I could tell," he said softly. "He seems protective of you."

Ethan sighed, glancing toward the balcony. "Yeah, he is. He's always been like that, especially after… well, after our parents passed." There was a note of vulnerability in Ethan's voice, one that made Luca's chest tighten.

"I understand," Luca replied, squeezing Ethan's hand gently. "It's good that he looks out for you."

Ethan's eyes softened as he looked at Luca, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. But the moment was interrupted when Marcus came back inside, his expression unreadable.

"Mind if I join you guys?" Marcus asked, his tone casual. He took a seat in the armchair opposite the couch, his gaze flickering between the two of them. "I'm glad we finally got a chance to meet, Luca. Ethan's told me a lot about you."

Luca tilted his head slightly. "All good things, I hope?"

Marcus chuckled. "Well, mostly." He paused, his expression turning a bit more serious. "Ethan's had a rough time in the past… with relationships," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I'm sure you'll understand why I'm a bit protective."

Luca nodded, appreciating Marcus's honesty. "I get it," he said earnestly. "I'd probably be the same if I were in your shoes." He glanced at Ethan, who was watching the exchange quietly, his lips curving into a faint smile. "I'm not planning on going anywhere," Luca added, his voice firm.

For the first time, Marcus's guarded expression seemed to soften. "Good," he said quietly. "That's good to hear."

Ethan exhaled, a smile spreading across his face. "I'm glad you two are getting along," he said, the relief in his voice evident. "I know this might not be the easiest situation, but it means a lot to me that you're both trying."

The atmosphere lightened as they continued talking, the earlier tension dissipating little by little. Luca could sense that there was still some distance to cover with Marcus, but it was a start. They exchanged stories, laughed at Ethan's embarrassing childhood moments, and, for the first time that evening, it felt like a real family gathering.

But even as they chatted, Luca couldn't ignore the unspoken undercurrent of their conversation. He could tell that there were still things left unsaid, and he had a feeling that Marcus wasn't quite ready to let his guard down completely.

As the evening drew to a close, Marcus stood up to leave, casting one last look at Luca. "Take care of him," he said, his voice carrying an unexpected gentleness.

"I will," Luca replied, meeting Marcus's gaze with quiet resolve.

End of Chapter 110

To Be Continued...