Chapter 15 Luca
LUCA
Her breathing steadies as I hold her against me, our bodies still joined.
Her head rests on my chest, auburn hair spilling across my skin.
I stroke my fingers down her spine, marveling at how perfectly she still fits against me.
There’s all sorts of confessions I want to make, but I don’t want to spook her.
I don’t want her regretting this and running away from me again.
So I hold her in the quiet of the night, grateful that I saved Enzo and survived the night so I could be here like this with her.
She lifts her head, those blue eyes studying me. "You could have died tonight. Enzo could have—"
I silence her with a gentle kiss. "But we didn't. We're here. Safe."
She shakes her head. "Enzo is confused. He saw things tonight no child should see."
Guilt rises that I’d failed in shielding him from the brutality of this world. I'd been too focused on keeping him alive to worry about what he was witnessing.
"I've always protected him," she continues. "I've kept him away from this life as much as possible. And tonight I couldn't protect him. I couldn't stop my own brother from using him as a pawn."
I cup her face, brushing away a tear with my thumb. "You're not alone in this anymore."
"That's what terrifies me," she admits. "I lost you once without warning. What happens when you leave again? What happens to him?"
The emotion in her voice cuts me. “You won’t find out.”
She searches my face as if she's looking for verification.
I hope she can see my sincerity.
I don’t know what will happen going forward, but I know I’ll protect her and Enzo with my life.
"I can't lose him the way I lost you."
I pull her closer, pressing my forehead to hers. "You won't. I swear on my life, Katerina."
Her fear guts me. I've been shot, stabbed, beaten to within an inch of my life, but no pain compares to watching Katerina doubt me.
"Look at me." I tilt her chin up. "I keep saying this, but you don’t seem to believe me. I never wanted to leave you. I was forced to go with barely anything but the clothes on my back and whatever cash I could grab. My father made it clear—disappear or die."
Her eyes glisten in the dim light, still searching mine for truth.
“I don’t know what they told you, but that’s what happened.
Maybe I should have tried to take you with me.
Maybe I should have called, but if they were willing to silence me, I couldn’t risk their deciding you should be silenced too.
” I watch her, hoping to hell she finally understands what the situation had been seven years ago.
I can’t tell what she’s thinking. "I'm not that man anymore, one who let others dictate his fate. I make my own choices now."
Her lips part slightly, doubt still lingering behind her eyes.
I can't stand it.
I lean in, capturing her mouth with mine.
“Right now, I choose to ravish you again,” I murmur against her lips.
I trail kisses down her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips.
Her breath catches as I move lower, exploring her soft skin.
"Luca," she gasps, fingers threading through my hair.
"Seven years," I growl against her skin. "I've got a lot of catching up to do."
She laughs, and I’m so fucking grateful that she’s letting whatever negative thing she’s thinking about me go.
She pulls me back up to her lips. "We're not done talking about this.”
“We’ve got time for talk,” I promise, claiming her mouth again.
I wake to Katerina curled against me, her breathing slow and even.
For a moment, I'm transported back seven years to when waking beside her was my normal, my right, my expectation.
Back then, we were so young, even though we felt like full-grown adults, playing at forever.
I was an arrogant second son who thought rules didn't apply to me.
She was a smart, fierce daughter of the Bratva who matched my fire.
I trace my finger along the curve of her shoulder, marveling at how familiar yet new she feels.
The years have changed us both, hardened our edges, deepened our distrust of the world.
But the core of what drew us together remains.
Back then, we’d steal moments in garden corners, secret passages, and eventually, our beds.
Each moment felt like victory against the world. I was sure it would never end.
How fucking naive we were.
Katerina stirs, her eyes fluttering open. "You're still here," she murmurs, voice husky with sleep.
"Told you I wasn't going anywhere." I brush hair from her face, letting my hand linger against her cheek.
Her lips curve into a smile that fills my heart. "Enzo will be up soon."
"Then we'd better make this quick." I roll her beneath me, relishing her soft gasp as I press against her.
"Luca…" Her protest lacks conviction as her body arches, opens.
I capture her mouth with mine, drinking in her soft moan as my hand slides down her body. "I was just thinking how I've missed waking up to you."
I position myself between her thighs, ready to remind her of exactly how good we've always been together. A thunderous pounding erupts against the cottage door.
"Luca! I know you're in there!" Alessandro's voice booms through the space. "We need to talk. Now!"
Katerina bursts into laughter against my chest, muffling the sound with her hand.
The tension that had been building snaps, replaced by the absurd comedy of being caught like teenagers.
"Shh," I whisper dramatically against her ear. "If we're very quiet, maybe he'll think we're not home."
"Luca!" Another round of pounding. "Open the fucking door!”
I groan, dropping my forehead to her shoulder. "My brother always did have shit timing."
"Some things never change.” She presses a quick kiss to my lips. "Better not keep the Don waiting."
I reluctantly rise, slipping my pants on before I hear the front door open. “Mother fucker.” I quickly head to the living room where I find Alessandro having just barged in. "Ever heard of waiting for a fucking answer?" My voice is low and dangerous.
Alessandro's expression doesn't change. "We have a situation."
"A situation that couldn't wait five minutes?" I snarl, stepping closer to him. "Get out. I'll meet you in your—”
"No." The firmness in his voice stops me. "You seem to forget who’s in charge here.”
“Don Dante. Can I get you coffee?” Katerina joins me, dressed in stretchy pants and an oversized T-shirt.
“No,” he barks. Then as if he remembered his manners, he says, “But thank you.” He turns his attention back to me, his jaw tight. "The Bratva sent a message. They're demanding your life in exchange for peace."
Behind me, I hear Katerina's sharp intake of breath.
Alessandro continues. "They're giving us twenty-four hours to deliver you to them, or they'll declare open war."
I shrug.
"This isn't a joke." Alessandro's eyes are hard. “What the fuck did you do to piss them off?"
I laugh with bitterness. “I don’t suppose you asked them what they did?”
“I don’t care what they did. I want to know why they want your head or war.”
“Why? We both know you think I’m not worth a war. It’s deja-fucking-vu. You going to bow down to the Bratva too?”
The vein on his forehead throbs. He might kill me right here, right now.