14. Mia
14
MIA
T he soft morning light filtering through the curtains wakes me gently. For a moment, I’m disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings confusing my sleep-addled mind. Then, as I shift in the luxurious bed, a dull ache between my legs reminds me of exactly where I am and what transpired last night.
I’m in Luca’s bed. My husband’s bed.
The thought sends a shiver through me, a mix of fear, excitement, and something else I can’t quite name. I sit up slowly, wincing at the soreness. It’s not unbearable, but it’s a constant reminder of my lost innocence, of the drastic change my life has undergone in the span of a single night.
A soft knock at the door startles me from my reverie. “Come in,” I call out, pulling the sheets up to cover myself.
A young woman enters, her arms full of flowers and books. She’s dressed in a neat uniform, her manner professional but warm. “Good morning, Mrs. Strambo,” she says, and I can’t help but flinch at the unfamiliar name. “I’ve brought these for you.”
Confusion furrows my brow as I take in the beautiful bouquet of lilies and the stack of books. “Where are these from?” I ask, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.
The servant smiles softly. “They’re from Mr. Strambo, ma’am. He asked that they be brought to you this morning.”
I’m momentarily stunned. Lilies are my favorite flowers, but how could Luca know that? And the books… I reach out to take them, my fingers tracing the spines of classic novels I’ve always loved.
“Thank you,” I murmur, still trying to process this unexpected gesture.
The servant nods and quietly exits, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I’m still staring at the flowers and books when the door opens again, this time without a knock.
Luca strides in, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of workout shorts, his body glistening with sweat. I’ve never seen a man so… exposed before, and I find myself unable to look away.
He’s undeniably handsome, his body honed to perfection. Muscles ripple under tanned skin as he moves, and I feel a flush creeping up my neck. But then my eyes land on a large scar on his torso, angry and red against his smooth skin.
Luca catches me staring and his expression hardens. “Your brother-in-law is responsible for that,” he sneers. “So if it repulses you, you have Dom to thank for disfiguring your husband.”
His words snap me out of my daze. “Did Dom do that when you fought over Sofia?” I ask before I can stop myself.
The tension in the room is suddenly palpable. Luca’s jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with an emotion I can’t quite decipher. For a long moment, he’s silent, and I fear I’ve overstepped.
Finally, he speaks, his voice cold and hard. “Your family might paint me as the bad guy, Mia, but I’m not. Dom is the true villain in this story—or at least the Sicuras are. You’re too naive to see it.”
His words sting. Confusion and hurt war inside me. “What do you mean by that?” I ask, my voice small but determined.
Luca’s expression closes off, becoming a mask of indifference. “Forget about it,” he says dismissively. “It doesn’t matter now.”
Before I can press further, another knock interrupts us. A different servant enters, carrying a tray laden with food. The smells of freshly baked pastries and coffee fill the room, making my stomach growl despite the tension.
As the servant withdraws, Luca gestures to the tray. “Enjoy your meal,” he says, his tone softening slightly.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” I ask, surprising myself with my boldness.
He shakes his head. “No, I need to shower. I have business to attend to.” His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something—regret? longing?—before it’s quickly masked. “You’ll be picking out your personal suite today. Rooms you can relax in and make your own. The housekeeper will guide you.”
I nod, familiar with the concept. My mother has her own set of rooms in our family home. “But…?” I prompt, sensing there's more.
“But I expect you to sleep in this room every night. With me.” His voice leaves no room for argument.
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my heart races at his words. “Am I allowed to explore the house?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Yes, the house and the grounds. You’re allowed wherever you’d like to go.”
A spark of hope ignites in my chest. “Can I visit my sisters?”
The hope is quickly extinguished by Luca’s firm “No.” His eyes harden again. “You can go anywhere on the grounds, but you can’t leave the estate.”
Anger flares within me, hot and sudden. “So I’m a prisoner,” I snap, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “A pretty bird in a gilded cage.”
Luca’s expression darkens. “You’re my wife,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “And you’d do well to remember that this arrangement was your choice.”
“Some choice,” I retort, my fear overcome by indignation. “Marry you or watch you kill my brother-in-law. How very generous of you.”
For a moment, I think I’ve gone too far. Luca’s eyes flash with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. But then, to my surprise, his lips quirk up in a sardonic smile.
“You have more fire than I gave you credit for, little Marino,” he says, and I’m not sure if it’s a compliment or a threat. “But don’t push your luck. There are far worse fates than being my wife.”
With that, he turns and strides into the bathroom, the door closing behind him with a definitive click.
I’m left alone, my heart pounding and my mind whirling. The food on the tray suddenly seems unappetizing, my appetite lost in the wake of our confrontation.
As I hear the shower start running, I allow myself a moment of weakness. Tears prick at my eyes, a lump forming in my throat. This is my life now. Married to a man I barely know, a man who can switch from thoughtful to terrifying in the blink of an eye.
I think of my sisters, of my mother. Will I ever see them again? The thought of never hugging Sofia, of never meeting her baby or Chiara’s baby, sends a sharp pain through my chest.
But then my eyes land on the flowers and books Luca sent. It’s such a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. He may be my captor, but he’s not entirely heartless.
There's more to Luca Strambo than the monster my family painted him to be.
As I reach for a pastry, forcing myself to eat despite my roiling emotions, I make a decision. I won’t be a passive player in this game. I’m a Marino, and Marinos don’t break easily.
If I’m to be Luca's wife, then I’ll use every tool at my disposal to understand him, to carve out a place for myself in this new world.
I may be a bird in a gilded cage, but I refuse to stop singing. One way or another, I’ll find a way to make this situation work.
For my family, for myself, and maybe, just maybe, for the complex, infuriating man I now call husband.
The sound of the shower stops, and I straighten my spine, steeling myself for whatever comes next. Luca Strambo might think he has all the power, but he’s about to learn that he’s not the only one who can play this game.
I was raised by the one who invented the game.
Let him have his secrets, his cold demeanor. I’ll chip away at his walls, piece by piece if I have to. Because something tells me that understanding Luca is the key to everything—my freedom, my family’s safety, and perhaps even a future I never dared to imagine.
Luca emerges from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips, and I find my eyes drawn to the droplets of water trailing down his chest. I quickly avert my gaze, but not before he catches me looking. A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth.
“See something you like, Mrs. Strambo?” he asks, his voice low and teasing.
I feel heat rush to my cheeks, but I refuse to be cowed. “Just admiring my husband’s… assets,” I reply, surprising myself with my boldness. “I suppose I should familiarize myself with them, shouldn’t I?”
Luca’s eyebrows shoot up, clearly not expecting such a response. For a moment, I see a flash of desire in his eyes before he schools his features back into neutrality. “Careful, little wife,” he warns, his voice husky. “You’re playing with fire.”
I stand, letting the sheet fall away to reveal my nakedness. The way Luca’s eyes darken as they roam over me sends a thrill through my body. “Maybe I like the heat,” I say softly.
Luca takes a step toward me, his towel dangerously close to slipping. The air between us crackles with tension. “You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he says, his voice rough.
“Then teach me,” I challenge, tilting my chin up defiantly.
For a moment, I think he might close the distance between us, might pull me into his arms and kiss me senseless. Part of me wants him to, craves the passion I glimpsed last night. But another part is terrified of these new, intense feelings.
Luca seems to be waging a similar internal battle. His fists clench at his sides, and I can see the muscle in his jaw working. Finally, he takes a deep breath and steps back.
“Not now,” he says, his voice strained. “We both have things to do today.”
I feel a mix of relief and disappointment wash over me. “Of course,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Wouldn’t want to interfere with your busy schedule of brooding and plotting revenge.”
Luca’s eyes narrow at my sarcasm. “Careful, Mia,” he warns. “You might not like what you find if you keep pushing.”
“Or maybe I’ll find exactly what I’m looking for,” I retort. “The truth about why you hate my family so much. The real reason behind all of this.”
He moves suddenly, closing the distance between us in two quick strides. His hand comes up to cup my face, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the fire in his eyes.
“You want the truth?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. "The truth is, you’re in way over your head, little Marino. This game we’re playing… it’s bigger than you can imagine.”
I lean into his touch, my heart racing. “Then help me understand,” I plead softly. “I’m your wife now, Luca. For better or worse. Don’t I deserve to know?”
For a moment, I see a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. His thumb traces my cheekbone, sending shivers down my spine. “No,” he whispers. “You don’t.”
Before I can respond, he drops his hand and steps away, the moment shattered. “Get dressed,” he says, his voice once again cold and businesslike. “The housekeeper will be here soon to show you around.”
I’m left reeling from the rapid shifts in his mood as he turns to his closet to dress. One moment, he’s all heat and desire. The next, he's pushing me away.
It’s maddening and intoxicating all at once.
I watch him as he dresses, admiring the play of muscles under his skin. Despite everything, despite the circumstances that brought us together, I can’t deny the attraction I feel toward him. It’s more than just physical—there’s something about Luca that draws me in, makes me want to unravel the mystery that surrounds him.
As he finishes dressing and prepares to leave, I call out to him. “Luca?”
He pauses at the door, looking back at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For the flowers and the books. It… it means a lot.”
For a moment, his expression softens. “You’re welcome, Mia,” he says, his voice gentle. Then, as if catching himself, he adds more firmly, “I’ll see you at dinner. Try to stay out of trouble until then.”
With that, he’s gone, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts and emotions. I sink back onto the bed, my heart still racing from our encounter.
This man, my husband, is a contradiction wrapped in an enigma. One moment, he’s cold and distant. The next, he’s tender and almost caring. He claims to hate my family, yet he goes out of his way to learn my favorite flowers and books.
As I prepare to face the day ahead, to explore my new home and try to carve out a place for myself in this strange new world, I can’t help but feel a spark of excitement beneath my fear and uncertainty.
Luca may think he has all the power in this relationship, but I’m beginning to suspect that’s not entirely true. There’s a connection between us, a pull that seems to affect him as much as it does me.
And I intend to use that to my advantage.
One way or another, I’ll unravel the mystery that is Luca Strambo. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find a way to turn this forced marriage into something real.
Let the games begin, my enigmatic husband. I’m more than ready to play.