36. Luca
THIRTY-SIX
LUCA
ONE YEAR LATER
The late afternoon sun hung low over Bourton University, turning everything golden. I walked across campus, the air buzzing with laughter, chatter, and music from the lawn.
I couldn’t believe I was really here .
Not just at an Ivy League school, but living a life that’d always seemed out of reach. Alessio Salvatore, a friend of the family, pulled some strings to get me in, but the real miracle was being able to walk across a college campus like a normal person.
My mind still dwelled on things I never got to do. All those little moments most people took for granted. I wanted to live those now—the harmless pranks, making out under bleachers.
Therapy had been the first step. Well, therapy and Dominic. He’d been there, his presence reminding me that I didn’t have to carry the weight of my past alone.
The list was my therapist’s idea: “Write down the things you want to experience. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Just start thinking about the life you want to build.” At first, it had felt ridiculous. But over time, the list grew, each item rebelling against everything the Bratva had taken from me.
I wanted to learn how to cook something other than Russian food. I wanted to run a 5K. I wanted to laugh so hard my stomach hurt. I wanted to go on a skiing trip.
And then there were the tattoos.
The Bratva had carved their mark into my skin, their ink a constant reminder of the life I’d been forced into. The decision to laser them off had been harder than I thought. Each session was a mix of physical pain and emotional release, the smell of burnt skin strangely cathartic. With every faint scar left behind, I reclaimed another piece of myself.
“Luca!”
I turned around.
Amelia jogged toward me, her dark curls bouncing. “You heading to class?”
“Yeah. Anthropology.”
She fell into step beside me. Amelia was the kind of person who radiated effortless confidence, her laugh always a little too loud.
“Are you going to the party tonight?”
I arched a brow. “What party?”
“The one at Delta Gamma Phi. Greek Gods theme. Think Mount Olympus but with way more booze and questionable decisions.”
“Sounds over the top.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s college. Everything is over the top. Anyway, they’re going all out. Golden laurel crowns, toga contests, a ‘drink like Dionysus’ competition. Someone’s bringing in a live peacock.”
“A peacock?”
“Yeah. Apparently, it’s symbolic.” Her grin widened. “It’s going to be ridiculous. You have to come.”
“I don’t know. Frat parties aren’t my thing.”
“Come on. Don’t tell me you’re too cool for a toga.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Starts at nine,” she said, winking. “Don’t chicken out.”
She veered off toward her class.
Could I persuade Dominic to go with me?
Dominic was meeting me on campus. He’d been busy all week, handling business with the family. I made my way back toward my dorm, my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
Dominic
Here. Got a surprise.
I smiled. That could mean a dinner reservation at a nice place where he got to see me dressed up, or a pair of boxing gloves he tossed at me with a grin.
Dominic leaned against the lamppost, sharply dressed, his tie loosened, his sleeves rolled up. He had one hand in his pocket and something slung over his shoulder.
It was a six-pack of expensive imported beer tied with a red ribbon. My heart twisted.
“Flowers didn’t feel right,” he said, smirking. “But I figured you could use a drink.”
I chuckled. “What, no vodka?”
“Next time I’ll show up with a bottle and a glass.” He held out the six-pack. “But this seemed appropriate for college”
I took it from him. “This might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
He grinned, falling into step beside me as we walked toward my dorm. Dominic had spent weeks convincing me to live in a dorm for the experience. I still wasn’t sure if it was for my sake or because he liked the idea of fucking a college boy.
“Do you regret talking me into a dorm?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Slightly.”
“Yeah, well, you spend half your time here anyway.”
We always spent the night together, whether it was crammed into my shitty twin bed or in Dominic’s apartment. He claimed he didn’t mind, but I’d caught him wincing a couple of times when his legs hung too far off my mattress.
We reached the dorm building, and Dominic held the door open for me. Inside, the hallway smelled of ramen and cheap air fresheners. Dominic’s nose wrinkled. I led the way to my room.
We stepped inside.
I dropped my keys on the desk.
Dominic shut the door behind him and gave the room a once-over. He wasn’t used to spaces that bare. I’d added some personal touches—books, an old photo of Delilah and me, and a set of mismatched mugs on the shelf. He turned around, smiling at me.
“I’m so proud of you.”
My fingers brushed the red ribbon tied to the beer. “Thanks, Dom.”
His voice softened. “Always.”
I slid my arms around him, pressing my face against his shoulder. Dominic’s arms came around me.
“You sure you don’t want to upgrade to my place full time?” he teased, his voice rumbling against me. “We wouldn’t have to deal with this shoebox.”
“You’re just pissed about the bed.”
“It’s not a bed. It’s a suggestion of a bed.”
I smiled. “You love it here. Admit it.”
“I love you . That’s the only reason I’m tolerating this.”
I pulled back, my arms still looped around his neck. “I don’t hear you complaining when you’re balls deep inside me.”
Dominic smirked, his hands sliding down to my waist.
I snorted, pushing his chest. “There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“Ask away.”
“There’s this frat party tonight.”
His mouth twitched. “Oh.”
“It’s Greek Gods themed. Amelia says I need to get the full college experience.”
Dominic’s brow shot up. “Does that experience involve you wearing a toga?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I’d pay to see that.”
“Come with me.” I tugged him closer by the belt loops of his pants. “It’ll be fun. We can laugh at all the drunk idiots.”
“ You’re going to be one of the drunk idiots.”
“Maybe. Depends on how long you stick around.”
Dominic sighed. “You want me to go to a frat house, surrounded by college kids doing keg stands and puking in bushes, just so I can babysit you?”
I grinned. “Yes.”
“You’re lucky I love you, sweetheart.”
“Is that a yes?”
He tugged me closer. “I’ll be there.”
I beamed. “You’re not going to regret it.”
“Oh, I already do,” he muttered.
I let go of his belt loops and grabbed two beers. Dominic watched me, still leaning against the desk.
“Amelia’s right, you know,” he said. “You deserve to live this life. You’ve earned this.”
Something warm tightened in my chest. I swallowed past the lump in my throat, holding out a beer to him.
“I wouldn’t be here without you.”
Dominic didn’t say anything. He just watched me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
“I need your help figuring out this toga thing.”
Dominic groaned. “I’m too old for this shit.”
“You’re twenty-nine . That’s not old.”
Dominic shook his head, sipping his beer. “If I show up at this thing and some college kid tries to arm wrestle me for your attention, I’m putting him in the ground.”
“Fine.”
He grinned. “I have another surprise for you.”
I frowned. “Yeah?”
He took an envelope out of his jacket, offering it to me. I slipped out two plane tickets. My breath caught as I read the destination: Orlando, Florida.
I looked up at him. “What’s this?”
“We’re going to Disney World.”
“Are you serious?”
“Deadass. We’ll hit the parks, eat overpriced churros, and get matching Mickey ears if you’re feeling adventurous.”
I laughed. “Awesome.”
“It gets better,” he said, leaning in. “After Disney, we’re going on a road trip. We’ll cross off as many things on that list of yours as we can. You’ve been working hard. You deserve to live a little.”
My eyes burned. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll go.”
“Of course I’ll go. Dom, this is… God, I love you so much.”
His smile softened. “I love you too.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
He winked. “Let’s get ready for that party.”
I laughed, pulling him into a hug.