37.Alin #2
Retracting his fingers, he grips my hips and swiftly flips me onto my back. He enters me again immediately, plunging deep and hard. My legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer as he pounds into me, his own release building.
“I’m close,” he grits out, his rhythm becoming erratic.
“Come inside me,” I whisper, my voice shaky with the remnants of my orgasm.
With a final, powerful thrust, he buries himself deep inside me and lets out a guttural moan as he comes, his warmth flooding me. He collapses beside me as I turn back on my stomach, both of us panting and spent, sinking my cheek into the soft sheets.
Looking at him with satisfaction, I find his eyes locked onto mine.
“Your eyes could start wars,” he whispers as he brushes strands of hair off my cheek, sending me that captivating smile that ignites every cell in my body.
“It seems they’ve already started,” I reply honestly, knowing that while he may have taken down the Russians for now, he’s set up a dangerous path ahead—all because of me.
“You mean ended,” he corrects me immediately, and I give him a questioning look.
“We took out Stas and most of his men. It was a severe blow to the Russians, and the shipment we stopped also hurt their organization. It will take them time to get back on their feet. They’ll be fighting amongst themselves to find a replacement for Stas, killing each other in the streets,” he explains, a devilish smile appearing on his lips, satisfaction clear in his voice.
His confidence eases my tension. Despite his vengeful spree, he acted strategically, just as the Capo of New York should. It feels like things can finally settle down and return to normal, but my escape from my merfamily will continue to present challenges.
I’ll need to find a solution soon if I want to continue living with Luca on land. Marriage to that merman is out of the question.
Luca seems to be trying to decipher my expression. “What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“My family,” I answer honestly, “the one underwater,” I clarify as he looks at me questioningly.
“I know that here with you, I have a family and a home, but I don’t want to live constantly away from the ocean. I love my city underwater,” I explain, “and I also want to visit my adoptive parents, but they will definitely find me there. I have to find a solution.”
A heavy sigh escapes my lips, and Luca immediately sits up, facing me with a raised eyebrow, giving me a direct view of his perfectly scarred and tattooed chest through his open button-down shirt.
“I burned half of New York to bring you home; we can get you out of a marriage too,” he declares confidently. I wish I had his confidence.
“My father will never give up on this marriage,” I explain, sitting close to him and resting my head on his shoulder.
I wonder if he will understand. I remember what Cora told me. Even in their world, all marriages are marriages of convenience; only if they are lucky, do they end up in happy marriages like Cora and Mariano.
Marriage... would it work between Luca and me? That would mean not only my family would oppose the union, but his as well.
This thought now troubles me. I really haven’t thought about these things in depth. I just went after what I wanted at the moment without thinking about the consequences. A wave of disappointment washes over me.
We have no chance for a future together. I lift my head from his shoulder and look at him.
“More than anyone, you should understand marriages of convenience and that there’s no way out of them. You were born into the mafia, and your blood belongs there. I was born into a royal lineage, and my blood belongs there,” I say dryly, as if repeating a mantra I was forced to recite aloud.
It seems my mind is starting to grasp that even among humans, you can’t escape your bloodline.
“What are you really saying, Alin? Are you giving up?” Luca asks immediately, clenching his fists tightly.
“Mariano got married in your place. I have no siblings to take my place,” I say, and the realization hits me. I was born into a royal lineage, and I need to start acting like one, even if it means I have to suffer. A painful sting pierces my heart.
I can’t linger with Luca here indefinitely. Eventually, he’ll need to marry, and he’s made it clear his family, and the mafia, come first. The mafia always comes first.
Running my hand gently over the large Famiglia tattoo covering his chest, I voice what I’ve begun to accept.
“You’ll probably have to marry soon too.
I’m sure you won’t stay single forever, especially as the capo set to take the place of the boss of all bosses,” I say reluctantly.
He looks at me, waiting for my response, but he remains silent.
The mere thought of Luca with another woman sends a painful stab through my chest.
“Would you give up your position to be with me?” I ask in a whisper, fearing his answer.
“Alin, I would set worlds on fire for you, you already know that. But the mafia will always come first for me,” he says, holding my hand that’s still resting on his tattoo, showing me where his loyalty lies.
I knew the answer would burn, but I didn’t know how much. I’d rather take a few more bullets than feel the gaping void in my chest.
I take a deep breath, mustering all the strength I have not to let the tears fall again, I am such a mess.
“Maybe our worlds aren’t so different after all. I just had the courage to want something else in my life,” I say quietly, more to myself than to Luca.
As I rise from the bed, Luca suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me back onto his lap.
“We’re not done yet,” he growls. “The mafia will always come first for me, my family is above all, and so are my obligations. But I will never succumb to forced marriages,” he says as if he knows exactly what medicine to use to heal the open wound. I lift my head to him in question.
“My father knew I would never go through with one. From a young age, I was a fighter. I wasn’t obedient. Loyal, but not obedient like my brothers. My father knew that and knew that Mariano was the safer option,” he explains, and I’m more confused than ever.
“What are you trying to say, Luca?” I ask now, bewildered, already impatient. Afraid to develop false hopes.
“I’m trying to say that there’s always a solution,” he answers my question without hesitation.
“No, Luca. It seems very conveniently that your parents were considerate in your case. You were lucky, nothing more,” I throw the hard truth at him, but it doesn’t seem to affect him, he doesn’t even flinch.
“I don’t believe in luck; I believe in myself.
Everything I have, I achieved on my own.
Nothing came easily. As I made clear when we first met—I get what I want, and you belong here, with me!
We will find a solution,” he says confidently, wrapping his arms around me.
“I always find one,” he adds in a whisper.
It seems like he’s speaking to himself, but I allow myself to sink into his embrace, wondering if I can afford to hold on to such hopes.
“It’s a bit more complicated. In our world, it’s about pods. My parents are expanding and controlling more and more territories without me needing to get involved,” I say, loosening his grip on me to look at him.
It wouldn’t be terrible to at least try and hold on to a little bit of hope, right?
“My parents won’t cancel the marriage,” I insist, my voice filled with frustration. “I’m part of the royal lineage. This is about more than just me; it’s about our entire pod.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Luca reassures me, his voice unwavering. “Together, we’ll find a way.”
I want to believe him, but the reality of my world crashes over me like a wave. Still, for the first time in a long while, I feel a spark of hope. Luca’s determination is infectious, and maybe, just maybe, we can overcome the odds together.
“The problem is that one large pod who spreads terror everywhere they conquer, they were the ones responsible for the rebellion against my parents when I was born,” watching his expression harden with grim understanding.
“They agreed to a permanent ceasefire and full cooperation only if I marry the only son of the head of the terror pod and bring a joint heir into the world,” I finish, my gaze never leaving Luca’s eyes. He looks furious.
“They’re turning you into a broodmare for terror pods?” he curses, smoke practically coming out of his ears.
“It’s not that different from your world, Luca,” I try to calm him as it seems he’s already plotting another killing spree he’s not prepared for. But it’s in vain; he’s not even listening, trapped in his rage.
“It’s not going to happen. Until we figure out a solution, you’re going no where near the sea, not even our private beach!” He roars possessively, seemingly on the verge of losing it. Great, now he’s beginning to grasp the problem.
I place my hand on his cheek, offering silent understanding. “There’s no way out of these marriages of convenience, Luca.” I try to convince him, but inside, I’m also a storm of emotions. This marriage is the reason I haven’t been home for so long.
“Marriage of convenience...” He looks at me suddenly, repeating what I said, seeming to understand something I don’t.
“Yes, Luca, marriages of convenience,” I confirm, just in case he thought I was madly in love with that merman. I’m not sure what’s going through his mind at this point.
“Alin, think about it for a minute. Marriages of convenience. Convenience. If there’s no convenience, there’s no need for these marriages,” he states the obvious, and I don’t understand where he’s going with this. Does he have a plan?
I want to ask, but he gets up from the bed, quickly putting his pants back on and storming out of the room, leaving me confused. What the hell is he talking about? What don’t I understand?
I swiftly rise from the bed, grab a wide t-shirt from his closet, and follow him down the stairs, wearing the shirt as a makeshift dress.