34 | Bodyguard?
The dining room is silent except for the quiet clinking of silverware against fine china. The long table stretches between us, keeping Luciano and me at a distance.
The morning sun filters through the curtains, casting golden light on the untouched feast before me.
My appetite is strong as I eat slices of bacon and scrambled eggs.
Luciano is seated at the head of the table, and he watches me with sharp eyes until his voice finally cuts through the quiet.
"What did you think about last night?"
I pause, my grip tightening around the fork.
Last night I was at Luciano'srestaurant. I still recall the screams, the blood, the way my mother's body crumpled to the floor when I pulled the trigger.
I feel lighter now, as if her existence had been a heavy weight on me my entire life, and suddenly, it's lifted.
I set my fork down and meet his gaze. "I'm happy she's gone. I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders, especially since I was the one who got to finish her."
Luciano's lips curl into a grin, his amusement dark and knowing. "Good."
He takes a sip of his coffee, watching me with interest. "Do you want something else?"
The answer is immediate. "A divorce."
But before I can even savor the words, he speaks again, cutting me off with an easy, almost amused tone."Except for a divorce or leaving me. Is there anything else you want?"
I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs.
He thinks he can buy me off. He expects me to ask for something trivial, something he can easily provide so I feel indebted to him.
Fine. If he wants to play this game, I'll make my demands known.
"I want a private yacht, engraved with my name.
" I tap a finger against the table. "I want VIP concert tickets to my favorite indie band.
I want an orange cat, one that's a little crazy.
I want a hotel in my name, somewhere I can go when I need to be alone.
And every year that we remain married, I want to travel to a different country for an entire month. "
I expect him to scoff. To call me childish. To tell me I'm being ridiculous. But instead, he simply nods.
"Okay."
I blink. "Okay?"
"I'll give you everything you asked for." He tilts his head, watching my reaction. "But if I do, will you at least give me a chance to be your husband properly?"
My stomach knots at his words. "Properly?" I arch a brow. "Do you mean having sex?"
Luciano chuckles, shaking his head. "No, I just want us to be on good terms."
I study him, my mind working fast. There's only one thing I want more than all of my demands combined.
"Fine," I say slowly. "I'll be on good terms with you."I pause, enjoying the way his eyes darken with curiosity. "But only if Franco is my personal bodyguard."
His easy demeanor vanishes. His expression sharpens, jealousy flashing across his features like lightning in a storm. His fingers tighten around the handle of his coffee cup, but he doesn't break eye contact with me.
A long, heavy silence stretches between us.
Then, finally, he exhales sharply. "Fine. Franco can be your bodyguard."
Satisfaction blooms in my chest. At least now, I'll have Franco by my side. Someone I trust. Someone who cares for me.
I feel like I've won something.