CHAPTER SEVEN

As Bella mingled with her family and guests, she couldn't help but notice Luca and what he was doing or who he was talking to from across the room, to the point that She got caught by her mother in law and cousin Claire and they shared a knowing glance among them selves. leaving Bella to wonder what was behind their amusement.

As more people congratulated her, she turned to find Sebastian sporting his signature smirk,as he moved to where she was. she was sure he was up to no good.

"Don't worry about Luca," He said as he reached her, "Our father always taught him to be tough, and that does not go away very easy or quickly. But don't let that fool you, maybe you will be able to soften him up a bit."

As Bella was in her thoughts about what Sebastian was saying he gave her his hand while Smiling mischievously and all Bella could do was smile back and Put her hand in his and they went to the center where a few other people were also dancing while some where helping themselves to Food and some sitting and watching , some having conversations and the music was so smooth but still everyone still looked intimidating to her. He pulled her and swept Bella into a dance, twirling her around the room, making her smile.

Shouldn’t her First dance be with her Husband, She almost asked Sebastian but she let it go.

As they danced, Bella felt a shiver run down her spine, sensing Luca's gaze upon her. she felt the hairs on her neck stand and goosebumps spread on her body, she knew Luca must be watching them he is the only one who has ever made her body react unusual ever since she has met him.

"My brother is glaring at me," Sebastian chuckled,

"I guess he didn't find me stealing your first dance funny."

With a mischievous grin, he pulled Bella to where Luca was Sitting with a few people, handing her to him. He sat coldly,his eyes fixed on her.

Before anything was said between them Elle heard her Mother in laws voice as she announced the blood oath, talking about the tradition.

Elle knew this part of the ceremony was intimate and she hoped Luca was going to be corporative. The blood oath was a ritual done to seal a bond between the married couple, it was mostly done at their mafia weddings as part of the ceremonies.

Luca's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. But he stood from his seat, He stood tall, his posture rigid, as he walked to the centre of the big hall as Elle followed.

Her mother in-laws neared them, she faced them as they both were facing each other as people looked on.

She grabbed Elle's hand which was small and delicate squeezed her finger. as Luca's gaze remained fixed on some point ahead. But as his mother pricked Elle’s finger and moved the needle to him his eyes flicked to hers, and for a moment, they locked gazes.

Elle's eyes widened as she whined at the little pain on her own finger, and Luca's gaze dropped to her hand, she couldn’t tell the emotions on his face as their fingers were put together by his mother as she mixed their blood together, something sparked between them. Luca's eyes snapped back to hers, his pupils dilating slightly as he felt the jolt of electricity.

Her mother inlaw was saying the words for the tradition as their hands and fingers touched mixing their blood. After finishing her words the guests erupted into applause, Luca's expression remained stoic, but his eyes seemed to bore into Elle’s, as if searching for something, or perhaps, hiding something.

Elle, on the other hand, was lost in the moment, her heart racing with excitement and anticipation. She felt a connection with Luca, one that she couldn't quite explain, and she wondered if he felt it too

Luca was about to pull his hand away for the plaster to be put on his finger when Elle grabbed it and sucked the finger into her mouth to stop the blood from flowing out, her tongue darting out to lick the blood from his finger was like a spark to gasoline. Luca's body reacted, his heart rate increasing, his senses heightening. For a moment, he forgot about the ritual, and forgot about his reservations. All he knew was the feel of Elle's tongue on his skin, the warmth of her breath, and the spark of connection that he felt in that moment between them.

But Luca's mask was firmly in place, and he didn't let his emotions show. He stood still, his eyes locked onto Elle's, as she licked his finger. It was a moment of intense intimacy, one that made him feel things he didn't want to feel.

As the guests erupted into applause again, they turned to face their guests, remembering they had an audience.

Luca's hand remained at his side, not reaching for Elle's. It was a subtle reminder that he was still in control, still the cold mafia leader who didn't do emotions. Yet, Elle couldn't shake the feeling that beneath his tough exterior, Luca was feeling something, something that might just change the course of their marriage.They moved back to their sits as Elle followed Luca.

"Sit," Luca said, his voice low and husky. As Bella sat beside him, he pulled their chairs closer, their thighs touching. The proximity sent a spark through her body. He definitely did that to please the people around them.

Her thoughts were still on the blood oath that just took place and how her and Luca just bonded for life.

He thoughts were interrupted by Luca's phone ringing, and he answered in a low voice she could barely hear what was being said but the barking of orders in a tone that brooked no argument.

He had being nonchalant about everything as usual but she liked that he had asked her to come sit with him, and he had been corporative with everything else ok their wedding day, it made her feel good.

An idea came to her she wanted to Make him notice that they were so sitting so close to each other so she reached out her hand while he was still on the phone and she placed it on his thigh, He instantly stopped mid sentence, his eyes flashing with surprise.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth.

"You're my husband," Bella replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I think am allowed to touch your leg."

Luca's just stared at her, before he could say anything else, the person on the phone pulled him back to what they were saying.

Bella's heart raced, she was becoming very bold, her hand tingling from her hand touching his thigh.

As the night wore on, their wedding came to a close just after midnight and Bella was tired . Bella started saying goodbye to her Family, her Cousin Claire and her Aunt and everybody else who came, she cried a little when were saying goodbye to her. Her Mother had a smile on her face so happy for her child.

"Remember all the advise i have given you my Bella. And come visit any time and i and your father will come anytime you need us .

They hugged and then her father told her how proud he was of her and how certain he was that Luca will take care of her.

"Remember my advices , Bella," her mother whispered. "I will visit you soon."

Bella was led to a car that she was supposed to drive in with Luca. while she waited she saw through the half opened mirror Luca come out the venue with a woman maybe a year or two older that herself, Bella had seen her at the wedding several times today.

she was so beautiful and looked really badass and she was speaking with Luca for quite some time, Bella started to feel Jealous that he could speak to the other ladies like that but only ever says a few words to her.

who was she,? She knew he is always speaking and talking with people, barking orders on the phone all the time,speaking to his men and everybody else except when it comes to her. he only ever say a few Luca finished talking to the woman and she went to one of the other cars as he came in the car she was in.

He got in, all of a sudden the car became too small, he was a big man the height, the muscles and confidence suffocated everybody around him. As he sat the car started moving and Bella couldn’t help it so she had to ask.

" Who was that ?,

Luca did not look her way but of course he knew who she was talking about so he answered anyway.

"she works for me, She is Nathans sister,” Bella was surprised he answered her so quick. And she knew she had no right to be jealous they probably have known each other so long with Nathan being his best-friend they were basically all close but she still felt jealous they seemed to be close.

Bella's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked about Taylor's age. She was being too noisy.

"you ask too much questions”, Luca responded to her as he continued to tap his phone screen.

Now Bella's mind whirled with more questions, but Luca's tone suggested he was over the conversation . She looked out the window, feeling a mix of emotions. Luca's phone rang again, and he launched into a conversation in Italian, leaving Bella to wonder what he was discussing and whether she had any place in his world.

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