20: Battle of the First

Maria's POV

The explosion from the grenades broke the silence.

Then the gunshots followed.

We were close to Alejandro's house, moving fast under the shadows when it all started. His men were already waiting for us. We should’ve known.

Bullets started flying everywhere.

Alex told me to stay low. I did. But even that didn’t save us.

One of our men got shot in the chest. He dropped. Another tried to drag him, but a second shot took him too.

It was madness.

Chaos.

The quiet plan we made back at the safe house was gone in seconds.

I tried to follow Alex’s every move. I had the gun he gave me. I stayed close, just like he told me. But Alejandro’s men came from all sides. They weren’t just defending. They were ready for war.

"Fall back!" Alex yelled. "Now!"

We ran. Through the back streets, through tunnels. I fired two shots but didn’t stop to check if they hit anyone. We had to move. 

Alex was limping, blood running down his leg. I didn’t even know when he got shot, but I grabbed him and helped him move.

Another of our men helped from the other side. Together, we got Alex away.

*******

By the time we reached the safe house, Alex was barely standing. His shirt was soaked. His face was pale.

Luca was already by the door. He stepped forward fast and grabbed Alex before he fell. I saw the look on his face.

It wasn’t just worry.

It was anger.

The doctor came running, already pulling gloves from his coat. Luca barked a short order. "Do something, fast.”

The other man who helped me with Alex tried to speak, but Luca cut him off. "Out. All of you. Now."

Everyone left. Some men along with the doctor dragged Alex to his own room, leaving just me and Luca in the living room alone.

He turned to me, eyes sharp.

"What the fuck were you thinking?"

I didn’t say anything. My heart was still pounding, but not from fear anymore.

I just looked at Luca, not saying anything. Not like I knew what to say.

But then, instead of speaking, I started to unbutton my shirt.

"Maria," he snapped. "I’m talking to you."

I slid the shirt off my shoulders and dropped it to the floor. My bra followed. I stood bare in front of him.

Luca's brows drew together. He took a step forward like he didn’t understand what I was doing.

I turned and walked to our bedroom.

He followed.

I didn’t wait. I kicked off my shoes and pulled off my pants. I didn’t care if he was watching or not. I headed into the bathroom. Took a fast shower. The water was cold but I didn’t care. I just needed to be clean.

When I stepped out with a towel wrapped around me, I saw Luca standing by the window, back straight, arms crossed. He hadn’t moved much.

I walked to him slowly. Placed my hand on his back, then slid it to his side.

He turned fast and caught my wrist. His eyes burned.

"I told you not to go," he said, his voice low.

I didn’t look away.

"I know."

He let go of my wrist, and I took his hand and placed it on my chest.

He pulled back.

"I’m serious, Maria. You saw what happened to Alex. What would I have done if that was you?"

"I told you I could handle it. You wouldn’t listen."

"Maria…"

"Shush..." I stepped in front of him, raised his hand, and pressed it against my breast. "We can talk about that later… after you’ve fucked the hell out of me, Mr. De Rossi."

Luca’s eyes searched mine for a long moment. Then he grabbed the back of my head and kissed me hard. 

No soft lips. 

No waiting. 

Just fire. 

His hand slid down to my waist, then to my ass, squeezing it like he didn't care if he hurt me.

He pushed me back, gently but firmly, until my legs hit the bed. 

Then he pushed me down. 

He didn’t speak. 

He didn’t smile. 

He just looked at me — all of me — like he was trying to decide which part to ruin first.

His belt came off fast. So did his pants. He didn’t take his time. There was nothing soft about this. No slow kisses. No gentle touches. Just hunger. Just need.

When he entered me, I gasped. It was rough. Deep. Hard. He wasn’t making love. He was taking. And I let him. 

I opened my legs wider and wrapped them around him. I bit my lip to stop myself from crying out too loud, but it was hard. 

He was deeper than usual. 

Faster.

Harder. 

He held my throat, a little tight. I guess it's a gentle reminder to me that he was in control. And I liked it. I liked it so much it scared me.

“Luca…” I whispered, nails digging into his back.

He didn’t slow down. If anything, he moved faster. My body ached, but I didn’t tell him. I didn’t want him to stop. 

I wanted the pain.

I wanted to feel everything. I needed this.

I reached for his face, but he caught my hand and pinned both my wrists above my head. His chest pressed against mine. 

Skin to skin. 

His eyes locked with mine. And then he kissed me again, slower this time, like he needed to remind me that even in this madness, there was something real.

When we were both done, he collapsed next to me, breathing hard. I lay still, body throbbing, chest rising and falling fast.

He turned to me, brushing hair out of my face like he wanted to say something to my face. But he didn't.

He just looked into my eyes.

He kissed my forehead. I rested my head on his chest, finally calm. But I knew it wouldn’t last. Alejandro was still out there. And this war was just getting started.

But for now, I had Luca. And that was enough.