31. Luca
31
LUCA
T he first rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, gently pulling me from sleep. For a moment, I’m disoriented, the events of yesterday a blur in my mind. Then I feel the warmth of Mia’s body beside me, and everything comes rushing back.
The fear of losing her. The overwhelming relief when she returned. The words we exchanged, finally laying bare the depth of our feelings for each other.
I love you. The words echo in my mind, sending a warmth spreading through my chest that has nothing to do with the morning sun.
Careful not to disturb her, I turn onto my side, propping myself up on one elbow to look at Mia. She’s still fast asleep, her face peaceful in repose, and I’m struck anew by how beautiful she is.
Her dark hair is spread across the pillow like a halo, a few stray strands falling across her face. I resist the urge to brush them away, not wanting to wake her. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, which still hold a soft flush from sleep. Her lips are slightly parted, and I can hear the gentle rhythm of her breathing.
She looks so young like this, so innocent. It’s easy to forget sometimes that she’s barely more than a girl.
The thought sends a pang of guilt through me. What have I done to her? To this beautiful, kind-hearted woman who somehow found it in herself to love a man like me? She should be in college, enjoying life.
I think back to yesterday, to the hours I spent convinced I’d lost her forever. The pain of it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Worse than losing my father, worse than watching my mother descend into madness. The thought of a life without Mia… it was unbearable.
And in those dark hours, I realized something. Something that, in the light of day, with Mia sleeping peacefully beside me, becomes even clearer.
She means more to me than my anger. More than my thirst for revenge. More than anything.
For so long, my hatred for Dom and the Sicuras has been the driving force in my life. It’s what pushed me to build my empire, to claw my way to the top of a world that had once cast me aside. It’s what kept me going through the long, lonely years, fueling me when I had nothing else.
But now, looking at Mia, I realize how empty that purpose was. How hollow the victory would have been, even if I’d managed to destroy Dom completely.
Because what would I have been left with? A ruined enemy, yes. But also a life devoid of love, of warmth, of the simple joy I feel just watching Mia sleep.
I’ve been such a fool.
Mia stirs slightly in her sleep, her brow furrowing as if she’s dreaming. Without thinking, I reach out, gently smoothing the crease with my thumb. Her face relaxes at my touch, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Even in sleep, she responds to me. Trusts me. Loves me.
The realization hits me like a physical blow. This woman, this amazing, strong, beautiful woman, loves me . Not the persona I’ve crafted, not the powerful Don or the vengeful son, but me. Luca. With all my flaws and darkness and pain.
And I love her. God, how I love her.
I think about the day we met, about the cold calculation with which I planned our marriage. It was all about hurting Dom then, about taking something precious from him the way he’d taken everything from me.
But somewhere along the way, without my even realizing it, Mia became precious to me. Not as a pawn in my game of revenge but as herself. As the woman who challenges me, who makes me laugh, who sees past all my defenses to the man I could be.
The man I want to be. For her.
Mia shifts again, this time turning toward me in her sleep. Her hand comes to rest on my chest, right over my heart, and I feel it skip a beat at her touch.
I cover her hand with mine, marveling at how small and delicate it feels beneath my palm. This hand that’s touched me with such tenderness, that’s held me and caressed me in passion.
This hand that I never want to let go of again.
In this moment, I make a decision. A vow to myself and to the sleeping woman beside me.
I’m done with revenge. Done with letting the ghosts of the past dictate my future. Done with putting anything before Mia and the life we could have together.
If letting go of my anger toward Dom is what it takes to make Mia happy, to give her the life she deserves, then so be it. It’s a small price to pay for the gift she’s given me—the gift of her love, of a future filled with possibility instead of pain.
It won’t be easy. The hatred I’ve carried for so long has become a part of me, as familiar as breathing. Letting it go will be like cutting off a limb.
But as I look at Mia, at the way the morning light gilds her skin and turns her hair to silk, I know it’s worth it.
She’s worth it.
I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Mia sighs in her sleep, snuggling closer to me, and I wrap my arm around her, holding her to my chest.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel… peaceful. The constant anger that’s been my companion for so many years is quiet, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my entire body.
Is this what happiness feels like? I’ve been chasing it for so long, thinking it lay in the destruction of my enemies. But now I realize it’s been here all along, in Mia’s arms, in her smile, in the way she looks at me like I’m something precious.
Mia starts to stir, her eyelids fluttering as she slowly wakes. I hold my breath, not wanting this moment to end but also eager to see her eyes, to hear her voice.
She blinks sleepily, a soft smile spreading across her face as she focuses on me. “Good morning,” she murmurs, her voice husky with sleep.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I reply, unable to keep the smile from my voice.
Mia’s smile widens, and she stretches languorously, reminding me of a contented cat. “How long have you been awake?”
“A while,” I admit. “I was enjoying watching you sleep.”
A blush colors her cheeks, and she ducks her head, suddenly shy. “That’s a bit creepy, you know.”
I laugh, the sound surprisingly light and carefree. “Can you blame me? You’re quite a sight to wake up to.”
Mia looks up at me through her lashes, a teasing glint in her eye. “Smooth talker. Is this how you plan to start every morning? With shameless flattery?”
“If it works,” I reply, pulling her closer. “Is it working?”
She pretends to consider for a moment, then grins. “Maybe. You might need to try a bit harder to convince me, though.”
I raise an eyebrow. Challenge accepted. “Oh? And how might I do that, Mrs. Strambo?”
Mia’s grin turns mischievous. “I’m sure you can think of something, Mr. Strambo.”
And just like that, I’m gone.
It’s ridiculous, really, how completely she has me wrapped around her little finger, how much I crave her smile, her laughter, her everything. I lean in, intending to kiss her, but at the last second, I change course. Instead, I shift the covers aside, moving lower, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, then down to the hollow of her collarbone. Mia watches me with wide eyes, her breath catching as I trail my lips down her body.
“Luca, what are you doing?” she murmurs, her voice breathless.
“Convincing you,” I say simply, my mouth brushing the swell of her breast. She shivers, her back arching slightly, and I smile against her skin. “Is it working yet?”
“Maybe,” she whispers, but the word is strained, as if she’s already starting to lose the battle.
I take my time, kissing my way down her body, savoring every soft sigh, every little gasp that escapes her. When I reach her stomach, I pause, looking up at her. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes dark with want, and I can’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction at the sight. Slowly, deliberately, I press a kiss just below her navel, then lower still, parting her thighs gently.
“Luca…” Her voice is a plea now, and it sends a thrill of anticipation through me.
“Shh,” I murmur, my breath hot against her skin. “Let me take care of you.”
And then I’m tasting her, soft and gentle, letting her warmth and sweetness envelop me. Mia cries out, her hands flying to my hair, and I groan as she tugs, holding me to her. The way she responds, the way she falls apart so easily beneath my touch—it’s intoxicating. I want to drown in it, in her.
I take my time, building her up slowly, savoring every quiver, every breathless moan. When her thighs start to tremble, I slip a finger inside her, curling it just right, and she shatters, her entire body arching as she gasps my name.
“Luca—oh, God.”
I don’t stop. I draw it out, coaxing every last ounce of pleasure from her until she’s trembling, boneless, and completely at my mercy. Only then do I pull back, crawling up her body until I’m hovering over her, my lips brushing her ear.
“Good morning,” I murmur, my voice rough with need.
She laughs breathlessly, her eyes still half-closed. “Good morning,” she whispers back, and then she’s kissing me, her hands sliding over my shoulders, pulling me closer.
I sink into her slowly, savoring the feel of her warmth enveloping me, the way she fits against me so perfectly. Her legs wrap around my waist, her hands sliding into my hair, and I lose myself in the rhythm of our bodies, in the quiet, breathless sounds she makes as I move inside her.
It’s different this time. Sweeter, slower. As if we’re savoring every second, every touch, every heartbeat. I look down at her, at her flushed cheeks, her parted lips, the way her eyes are fixed on mine, and I can’t help but think that this—this moment, this woman—is everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I love you,” I whisper, the words spilling out before I can stop them.
Mia’s eyes soften, her smile radiant. “I love you too,” she whispers back, her voice filled with so much emotion it makes my chest ache.
We move together, the world narrowing down to just us, just this. And when I finally reach the edge, when the pleasure crests and I fall apart, it’s her name that’s on my lips, her face that fills my vision.
After, I collapse beside her, pulling her into my arms. She nestles against me, her body warm and pliant, her head resting on my chest. We lie there for a long moment, our breaths mingling in the quiet morning air.
Finally, Mia shifts, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me. “So, what now?” she asks, her eyes bright with curiosity.
I brush a strand of hair away from her face, my heart swelling with a tenderness I can barely contain. “Now?” I repeat, smiling. “Now, we start planning for the future.”
Her smile widens, her eyes sparkling. “Our future?”
“Our future,” I confirm, pulling her closer. “Whatever that looks like. Wherever it takes us. As long as we’re together.”
Mia’s expression softens, her gaze filled with something that looks a lot like wonder. “That sounds perfect,” she whispers.
And for the first time, I really believe it. This—us, together, building a life, a future—it’s not just a dream. It’s real. It’s possible. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Mia snuggles closer, her head tucked beneath my chin. “I can’t wait,” she murmurs, and I tighten my arms around her, holding her close as the morning sunlight spills across the room, bathing us in a soft, golden glow.
“Me neither,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her hair. “Me neither.”