26: Apologies in Hard and Soft

Luca's POV

The jet touched down in New York just before sunrise. I didn’t feel the relief I expected. My body was here, but my mind was still back there.

Back in that city, back with Alejandro, back where I failed.

Maria didn’t say a word to me when we got off. Just gave me a smile. Not the warm kind. The polite kind. The kind that said she didn’t know what to feel yet. I didn’t blame her.

Alex walked beside me, silent, probably thinking the same thing I was: we shouldn’t have made it out. Not after what went down.

A car was waiting for us. Black bulletproof SUV. Windows tinted. Just as I ordered.

“Alex,” I said as soon as the doors closed, “there’s a spot in the Bronx. Alejandro said I will find the shipment there. Can you confirm that for me?”

“The Bronx?” Alex raised an eyebrow. “All this time and it’s been right here in this city?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “ I don't know if I should be believe him yet but just check it out first?”

“On it.”

“Be careful.” I turned to him, “or better still have someone check it out.”

He nodded.

I threw a quick glance at Maria who was in the seat beside me. Her arms were crossed and her eyes were on the road. 

She hadn’t spoken since we landed. Not one word. She was just... quiet. And honestly, I fear it made me nervous.

We got home, and as soon as we walked in, my phone buzzed.

Unknown number. But I already knew.

I answered. “Speak.”

Alejandro’s voice came through, smooth as always. “You’re back in New York. Brave of you.”

I stayed quiet.

“You know I knew you would run after seeing the damage I caused all your men but I didn't expect it to be that soon.”

“What do you want, Alejandro?” I managed to speak.

“I want you to know that I know everything. When you left, when you landed. The runway you used. The jet registered to an alias I already cracked. And your pilot… Frankie.. the guy’s been flying for you for years, yeah? Tell him to be more… discreet.”

I clenched my jaw.

Alex was already checking through the windows, pulling back curtains, moving like a ghost around the house.

“I’m going to let that little stunt you pulled slide,” Alejandro continued. “This time. But the next one, Luca, I won’t be merciful.”

I stared at the wall. I could hear Maria walking upstairs slowly.

“You got lucky,” I said. “A second earlier and your brains would’ve been on all over your floor.”

Alejandro chuckled. “And that’s the thing about God’s love and mercy, Luca. He spared me. Again. But next time, I’ll be the one pulling the trigger.”

I didn’t respond. I hung up.

The phone shattered against the wall before I could even think.

Alex looked at me. “What really happened there, boss?”

I sat on the arm of the couch, breathing heavy. “We hit him hard, you know? I had it planned down to the second. We caught them off guard, took out a lot of his men. But... he had more. He always has more.”

Alex didn’t say anything.

“I got to him,” I added. “Face to face. His guards were down. I had the shot. But he started talking... buying time. I even didn’t know when the others started coming in.”

Maria had stopped halfway up the stairs. I could tell she was listening.

“I was lucky to have escaped.”

Maria continued on the stairs and went into the bedroom without a sound.

“Get some rest,” I told Alex. “Make the calls. Let our people know. Supplies will be back on schedule soon.”

He nodded and disappeared.

I followed Maria upstairs. The door was open. She was already undressing, heading into the bathroom. The tension between us thick as smoke.

“Can I join?” I asked.

She didn’t say anything. Just nodded.

The water was already running when I stepped in. Steam rising, glass fogged. I moved behind her slowly, wrapping my arms around her waist. She let me. Her skin was soft, still damp from the spray.

I kissed her shoulder, then her neck. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She didn’t reply, but I saw her close her eyes.

“I’m going to let him go,” I said. “Alejandro. At least for now. If he does what he promised... I’ll leave it alone.”

She nodded again.

She made to leave, but I pulled her back. I needed more than just her silence. I needed to feel her forgive me, even if she hadn’t said it.

I turned her around and kissed her harder this time. My hands moved slowly over her body, memorizing every curve, every inch of her skin. I squeezed her breasts, her waist, her ass—feeling her respond even if she tried not to show it.

She let me lift her, press her against the wall. My fingers worked her slowly, gently, until her breath caught. Then I went down on her, holding her thighs open, letting her fall apart in my mouth. She was trying to stay quiet, but I knew her body too well.

When I stood, her eyes were darker. Needier. She didn’t stop me when I entered her, didn’t resist when I grabbed her neck gently and moved faster.

Her moans were soft, breathy. She still wanted me, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

I kissed her again, deeper, harder. My hands tightened on her hips. I came inside her, holding her still, breathing against her ear.

We didn’t say anything after that.

We sat down on the floor of the shower, the water still pouring over us. She rested her head on my chest, and I stroked her back slowly.

“I’m really sorry, doll,” I said quietly. “really sorry… for everything.”

She didn’t answer. She just stayed there, curled against me, like maybe she understood.

Or maybe, I was just the one thinking she does.