Chapter 18 Mia
December 27
T he morning light from the windows that reflect off the snow outside spills over us, casting a gentle glow across Adrian’s sleeping face, his chiseled features softened, at ease in a way I’ve rarely seen.
The soreness in my muscles, between my legs, is a satisfying ache, proof of the night we shared—a physical reminder that Adrian claimed me in every way.
I stretch gingerly, savoring each pleasant twinge of pain that calls to mind every place his hands, his lips, his body worshipped me. Last night, Adrian gave me such fierce loving attention that I never knew existed. But while his touch was thorough, rough and tender at the same time, it’s his unspoken promise to protect me—to risk his own life and place for me—that lingers like a balm over my senses.
Lying here, the room quiet, I feel a whisper of longing. The kind that dares to wonder if this wild, consuming connection might turn into something even deeper.
The truth is, I already know I love him.
Despite the risk, despite the little time we’ve had, I’m his in ways I never thought I’d belong to anyone. And with Massimo’s threats hanging over us, there may not be much time left to tell him. But as I take in the relaxed curve of his mouth, his long dark lashes resting against his cheek, I promise myself that he’ll hear it from me soon—before anything or anyone can take that chance from me.
My gaze falls to his hands, those strong, scarred hands that can hold me as tenderly as they can destroy, and my breath catches. His arm rests protectively over me, and the rough strength of him, this beautiful, brutal man, is a reminder of the danger we’re both in.
But he doesn’t scare me. Quite the opposite—I feel exhilarated, secure even, knowing that he’s as bound to me as I am to him. He could tear the world apart if he needed to, but here, now, his power feels like mine too, and it stirs something deep inside me.
Adrian stirs, and I watch his muscled tatted chest rise and fall, marveling at how utterly complete I feel beside him. We might only have a few days, maybe only this one, but this raw, consuming closeness—it’s more than I ever dreamed of.
No regrets, Mia.
I start to pull myself out of bed, my full bladder finally forcing me to do something about it, but I can’t hold back a wince, and Adrian’s eyes open, watching me with a sleepy, easy smile I am already addicted to. “Don’t tell me I went too hard on you.”
“I think you broke me,” I tease, groaning a bit as I try to shift to the edge of the bed. “If I walk funny today, it’s entirely your fault.”
He chuckles, that low, rich sound warming me more than the fire ever could. “Can’t handle the Luciana stamina, huh? I’ll take the blame.”
I laugh, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world to banter with him like this. We get up together, the warmth of each other’s bodies and the security of this little cabin wrapping around us as we go through a morning ritual as if we’ve done it for years, before heading to the kitchen.
Remembering what happened with the last breakfast Adrian attempted to make, I try my best to take over, wincing at the thought of Adrian burning the place down, but he insists on taking over, even if it means fumbling his way through it.
Soon enough, we’re tangled up in each other as he attempts to salvage a nearly burnt piece of toast. “Stick to the things you’re good at,” I tease, earning myself a playful swat on my bottom.
We settle into a rhythm, laughing over charred bacon and cold coffee, listening to Christmas music playing softly in the background, until the blissful quiet is interrupted by the buzzing of Adrian’s phone.
My stomach twists as he glances down, the easy smile fading into a more serious expression. “Massimo,” he says, his voice steady but cautious.
I take a step back, watching as he picks up the phone and answers. “Yeah… yeah, Massimo. All’s good here.” His tone is careful, but I can feel the tension growing. He walks into the living room, out of earshot.
As I run the faucet to rinse the dishes, I can’t hear anything he says. Part of me doesn’t want to hear bits and pieces of Adrian’s side of the conversation and have another instance of misinterpreting the situation. I trust Adrian and I know whatever is being said, he is looking out for me.
Something in the cadence of his speech makes me look up at him. He listens, his face hardening, and I know instantly that Dante still hasn’t responded. As Adrian’s call ends, I see the burden on his shoulders, the weight of his brother’s expectations.
I walk over and wrap my arms around him, attempting to give him comfort and drawing comfort for myself from his large, hard body. Finally, I look up at him. My heart sinks, reality crashing in. “They’re really going to kill me, aren’t they?” My voice barely comes out, but Adrian’s gaze snaps to me, fierce and unwavering.
“They won’t touch you,” he says firmly, taking a step closer. “Not while I’m here.”
“Adrian, you can’t protect me forever. And even if you could—what kind of life would that be? Constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering when the next hit will come?” The words spill out before I can stop them. “This… these past two days with you… they’re all I ever wanted. But I can’t pretend it’s enough to keep me safe.”
He steps forward, capturing my face in his hands. “You think I’d let anyone hurt you? After everything we’ve been through?”
“Adrian, I’m realistic. I know what this life is. And I know that Massimo… your brother…” I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “He wouldn’t hesitate to kill me if he thought it would send a message to Dante.”
“Massimo doesn’t control my choices, Mia. He may be my blood, but I’d choose you over his orders without a second thought.”
His words send a spark of hope through me, but I shake my head. “But how? How could we ever escape all of this? I mean… look at us. We’re trapped here, bound to lives that’ll kill us before they’ll let us go.”
Adrian’s jaw clenches, a steely determination in his eyes. “What if I told you there’s a way out? I’ve been preparing for this day, Mia. Saving, building a life in the shadows, one I can disappear into. For years, I never thought I had enough at stake to take the final step of making that happen — until now.”
I blink, his words hitting me like a punch. “You… you’re serious?”
“Yes. I have accounts hidden away, funds that would let us disappear. We could have a life, Mia. Far away from all this. If you’re willing to trust me.” Adrian murmurs, his gaze intent, voice laced with a vulnerability I’ve never heard before. His thumb brushes gently over my knuckles, the rough callouses on his hand a testament to his brutal world—a world he’s willing to leave behind… for us.
His eyes soften, but there’s something powerful and raw simmering in them. “I’ve never had this feeling before, not with anyone,” he admits, his voice lowering. “I thought I’d be one of those men who never settle, who just… floats. I looked at Massimo and Vera and thought, ‘that’s not for me.’ But you… Mia, you changed that. From the first moment I saw you five years ago, you got under my skin in a way I didn’t know was possible. I should’ve known then.”
I feel my breath catch as his confession sinks in. He should’ve known then. I’ve spent years comparing every man I met to Adrian, and every one of them fell short. Now here he is, admitting he felt the same spark that haunted me, that none of my attempts at normalcy could extinguish.
“When I saw Massimo find his happiness with Vera, I told myself that wasn’t something I’d ever have. I was resigned to this life, you know? Just loyalty to my family and… that’s it.” His hand tightens around mine. “But I want what they have, Mia. And I want it with you. I love you. I’ve never said that to anyone and meant it. Not until now.”
The words settle between us, heavy and breathtaking, igniting a swell of emotions I can barely contain.
He loves me.
The sheer certainty in his gaze shatters the last of my defenses. I’ve loved him in some hidden, unspoken way since that first night five years ago, and now, to hear him say it, to know he feels the same—my vision blurs as the tears come, spilling over with pure, unfathomable happiness.
“Adrian,” I whisper, my voice thick with tears and barely able to hold back the overwhelming tide of emotions. “I… I love you too. I think I always have. You’re the only man I ever wanted, the one I compared everyone else to… and no one else even came close.” My heart pounds as I see the hope and relief that fills his eyes, and suddenly, there’s no room for fear or doubt—only us, only this future he’s offering.
He pulls me closer, wrapping me in his arms, his lips brushing against my hair as he murmurs, “Then trust me, Mia. Let’s take this chance. Let’s make this life ours.”
In that moment, wrapped in his embrace, I know I will. Whatever the cost, I would take that chance with him.