Chapter 12
I lean my head against the small window of the jet and look out at the clouds around us.
I look at my engagement ring and let out a low sigh.
I’m finally going back to Italy . I miss home; I miss him, six months, six months without seeing him, feeling him, and kissing him.
My stomach twists with the nerves, and I take a deep breath, looking at the beautiful ring on my finger.
In two days, I will be officially presented as Luca’s fiancée to the members of the Camorra, a grand party that will host the highest members of the institution, members who are not happy that someone from outside is marrying their future Capo.
I try to remember Luca’s words when he was in London last month: “They will not show their discontent, not in front of you, but if they dare, I will kill them. I will make an example out of them. All those who dare to go against you will die! You are a queen, and they must bow before you.” I try to push his words from my mind, as they only make me more nervous.
I don’t want to have anyone’s blood on my hands, and if Luca kills them for me, blood will stain me.
“You have no reason to be so nervous!” I wake up from my thoughts with Francesco’s voice, feeling his eyes on me, as well as Paolo’s, Aurora’s, and Leticia’s.
“What if they don’t accept me?”
Paolo lets out a sound of displeasure and faces me. “They don’t have to accept it. It’s not their choice. The only people who could end the marriage are Luca, Don Henrico, you, and your father. Everyone else doesn’t matter, so relax.”
“But if many people don’t agree, Don Henrico will be able to back down, and I’ll be humiliated in front of everyone.”
Francesco and Paolo’s laughter is loud and makes me look in their direction without realizing it.
“Luca would never allow that to happen. To be honest, even if Don Henrico wants to go back, I don’t think Luca would let that happen!
” Francesco sounds certain in his voice as if he knows that Luca would never let me go, not again.
My heart sings at the thought, and a smile almost escapes my lips, more in love than ever.
The thought of seeing Luca again, smelling his perfume, and feeling his arms wrapped around my body makes me want to smile like a fool.
Thinking about himand hearing his voice makes my anxiety dissipate little by little, and I wonder how it is possible that a person capable of bringing so much pain and death can make me feel so safe and at peace.
I close my eyes and let sleep take over, sure that in no time, I’ll finally be home.
I feel my body sway slightly, and I am still sleepy. I open my eyes to see Leticia standing in front of me with a grin on her face. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Get up. We’ve landed, and I understand your pseudo-prince is waiting for you to disembark.”
I look out of the window, and all I can see are several men’s shadows; the light is a little dim, and night seems to have fallen for some time.
I get up from the seat and stretch my arms, grabbing my handbag.
Only the girls and Iare still inside the jet, making me realize that we must have landed a few minutes ago.
I walk calmly down the corridor toward the exit; the flight attendant smiles and waves goodbye as soon as I reach the door.
I smile in her direction and finally look out, feeling the night wind hit my face.
I don’t need to look for Luca; his height and dominant posture make him stand out from his soldiers.
Once his eyes meet mine, I try to hide the smile that insists on taking hold of me, along with the shivers that run through my whole body; I contain my urge to run toward him and hug him.
I’ve learned over the last few months that masks are necessary in this world, emotions are weaknesses, and that by marrying Luca, I should only show them behind closed doors.
I wonder if my cracked mask is doing a good job of hiding my feelings, and Luca’s gaze on me says yes.
I look away from him, and four men I don’t know are standing behind him; probably an increase in security due to Aurora and Leticia’s presence, and I can’t help but wonder why Luca, Francesco, and Paolo aren’t the only ones looking after our safety, as usual, I wonder why they might not be enough.
“Good evening!” My voice comes out clear and loud, without a hint of hesitation, and Paolo gives me a look of recognition. The men I don’t know don’t answer me or introduce themselves; they just bow their heads in respect.
“How was the trip?” Luca approaches me, taking my hand in his and placing a soft kiss on it; I examine him quickly and wonder how someone like him can be so handsome and elegant in his ever-faithful three-piece suit.
His eyes rise until they meet mine, and a small smirk appears on his lips, visible only to me, and it makes me want to kiss him.
“Okay… I’m a bit tired. Can we go?” My voice comes out calm despite the shivers running through my body and my stomach churning with nervousness and excitement at finally having him close again.
Luca gestures for me to follow him and leads the way toward a Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut; he opens the passenger door for me to get in and heads toward the driver’s seat.
I look out of the window and see Aurora and Leticia getting into a car with Francesco and Paolo; the other four men split into two cars and follow them; as soon as Luca starts heading out of the airport, I feel his hand rest on my leg, and I place my hand on his.
“Why has security been increased?” I feel Luca tense up, and his hand lightly squeezes my leg. I look in his direction, and he seems immersed in his own thoughts. “Luca?”
“We’ve had some problems with the presence of foreign mafias in our territory.”
“Do I need to worry?” Luca quickly turns his gaze away from the road and looks at me. Hetakes my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing it.
“No, never… I’ll never let anything happen to you!”
I look through the rearview mirror and see the three cars following us.
I look out of the window, and I know we’re on our way to my family’s palazzo; I let out a sigh of frustration, knowing that I won’t be able to kiss or hug Luca, not with the new soldiers around, I feel his gaze fixed on me and I try to ignore the questioning in his eyes.
“What’s going on?” When he doesn’t get an answer, Luca lightly squeezes my hand as a sign that he’s waiting for me to answer.
“Nothing, it’s just that the security is annoying, having more of them around, I mean. It’s weird, and it takes all our privacy out of our hands…”
A hoarse laugh burst from hir lips and I look at him to see his beautiful face with an amused expression. “You want to be alone with me, don’t you, Chiara?”
My cheeks heat up, and I feel like I must look like a very red tomato; I feel Luca’s gaze on me, and I feel even more embarrassed. “That’s not what I said…”
“But I know that’s what you meant. Don’t worry, I want it too!
” As soon as the last word leaves his mouth, I feel the car accelerate, Luca overtakes the cars in front of us and drives at high speed through the city.
I look through the rearview mirror and can’t see any of the security cars near us, but Luca doesn’t slow down, he keeps speeding up until he stops in the garden of my house.
I look at him, feeling my heart beat uncontrollably due to the high level of adrenaline traveling through my body.
I open my mouth to speak, but before I have the chance, I feel Luca’s lips crash against mine.
My stomach turns, and a small noise of satisfaction travels down my throat.
My hands go to his hair, and I feel him on my waist; in one swift movement, Luca pulls me onto his lap, and I feel my heart beating frantically from the closeness.
“I missed you!” My voice comes out hoarse, and my eyes remain closed. My forehead is leaning against his, and I feel his breath on my face. His fingers are caressing my cheek, but he says nothing. I push the disappointment away. I always knew it would be without love. I tell myself.
A soft kiss is placed on my lips. “I missed you too, but we have to get out of the car; they’ll be here any minute.
” And as if with a snap of my fingers, the magic is broken for good, I get out of his lap and then out of the car, walking toward the door without looking back, feeling his presence close to me.
I hear cars parking in the garden, and I open the door and step into the warm, family atmosphere.
I follow the voices into the living room and see my brothers watching a football match with my father and my mother and grandmother playing chess.
No one has noticed me so far, and I smile at the image that resembles the happy moments of my childhood.
Still, without saying anything, I slowly approach my brothers and hug them both, still on the other side of the sofa, finally making my presence known.
Lorenzo pulls me by the arm, and my body is thrown over the sofa, causing me to fall on top of them both.
My dad gets up and walks around the sofa; I sit down and see his hand being squeezed by Luca’s.
The girls and all the security guards are there standing in the doorway, staring at the family; Aurora and Leticia approach us and sit on the sofa, greeting Vincenzo.
“New body guards?” Lorenzo’s voice is close to my ear, and I look at him, smiling and hugging him.
“Apparently, things are complicated with foreign mafias,” I whisper in his ear before walking away. I feel Luca’s gaze on me and try to ignore it while moving to say hello to my mom and grandma.
“Are you staying for dinner?’ Dad’s voice is projected loudly, being heard through the room.
“Unfortunately, it won’t be possible. I’ve got business to attend to!”