CHAPTER 12 - THE WAY HE WATCHED HER

Eva’s laughter rang through the penthouse like a breeze Aria hadn’t felt in months, light, familiar, utterly normal.

They sat cross-legged on the plush living room rug, a plate of pastries between them, city lights blazing beyond the glass.

“I can’t believe he flew me here,” Eva whispered. “Jet and everything. Does he always move like that?”

Aria smirked. “Luca doesn’t do halfway. Even when you don’t ask for it.”

“Especially when you don’t ask for it,” Maria chimed in, flopping beside them with a glass of juice.

Aria’s hand drifted to her belly more habitually now than thought. “He says it’s not control. That’s care.”

Eva’s eyes softened. “And is it?”

Aria didn’t answer. The question wasn’t simple anymore.

Luca had been quiet all day, working from the shadows of the penthouse but always near. Not hovering, just present. When she stood too long, he noticed. When she skipped a meal, a tray appeared like magic.

She’d once hated the way he loomed. Now she wasn’t sure how to breathe when he wasn’t close.

Later that night, after the girls had gone to bed, Aria wandered into the kitchen for water.

Luca was already there, sleeves rolled, tie undone, leaning over the counter with something simmering on the stove.

She blinked. “You cook now?”

“I warm things up.”

She laughed. “Same thing in your world?”

He poured the soup into a bowl and slid it toward her. “You skipped lunch.”

“I was talking.”

“And pregnant. You don’t get to skip meals anymore.”

She took the spoon without arguing. The first sip stopped her cold, rich, perfectly seasoned, exactly what her body craved without realizing it.

“You remembered the ginger.”

“I remember everything,” he said, quieter than usual.

She ate slowly, aware of his eyes even when he wasn’t speaking. “Do you always look at me like that when I’m not paying attention?”

He stepped closer. “Only when I forget I’m supposed to be letting you go.”

She looked up, startled. He didn’t explain, just took the empty bowl, set it in the sink, and leaned against the counter beside her.

“Your friend,” he said. “She makes you smile differently.”

“She’s been around since I was eighteen.”

“You had a life before this.”

“I still do,” she shot back. “I’m not a doll, Luca.”

His brow lifted. “I know. Dolls don’t fight back.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you want me to fight you?”

“I want you real. Whatever that looks like.”

The admission knocked the breath from her lungs. She searched for cracks in his polished armor and found more than she expected.

“So why does it still feel like you’re holding something back?”

He pushed off the counter, closing the space between them in one deliberate step. “Because if I let everything out, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

Her chin tilted, defiant. “Maybe I don’t want you to stop.”

He didn’t kiss her, not yet. But his thumb brushed her jaw in the softest stroke imaginable, and for one blistering second the world narrowed to just that his touch, steady and unbearably tender.

“Go to bed,” he said hoarsely. “Before I forget, I’m supposed to take this slow.”

Sleep never came easily after that.

By morning, the echo of his restraint still burned in her chest.

She woke to voices, Maria and Eva giggling in the kitchen, Luca’s deeper tone threading through their chatter.

When she stepped into the hallway, barefoot and wrapped in his oversized shirt, the laughter stilled.

Luca saw her first. Whatever he’d been saying vanished as he crossed the space between them.

“Why are you out of bed?”

“I’m fine.”

“You didn’t sleep.”

“You didn’t either.”

He sighed, hand bracing her hip. “Your scan is next week. I’m moving it to a private clinic uptown.”

She blinked. “Why?”

“Better security. Less press. The last place had too many eyes.”

“There were paparazzi?”

“Not directly.” His jaw tightened. “But someone recognized you. And if Damon is still hovering”

“You said you’d handle that.”

“I am.”

“You said I’d be safe here.”

“You are.”

“Then stop moving the goalposts, Luca!” she snapped. “If I’m safe, let me feel it. If I’m protected, stop locking me away like something to hide.”

His hands curled into fists. “I’m trying.”

“Then try harder,” her voice shook. “Because I can’t keep living like a beautifully kept secret. I miss my parents. I miss walking outside. I miss having choices.”

Silence. Then finally: “I’ll take you.”

She stared. “What?”

“I’ll take you to see them this weekend. I’ll be there. You’ll be safe.”

Emotion hit her so fast that it made her dizzy. She blinked away tears. “Thank you.”

He brushed her hair from her cheek, pressing a kiss to her forehead like it was the only softness he trusted himself with.

The visit didn’t happen that weekend.

Because something else came first.

That night, Eva dragged her into the guest suite for movies. Maria joined with popcorn, and for a few hours, Aria felt twenty-two again.

Until the cramps hit.

She gasped, hand flying to her side.

Maria was up instantly. “What is it?”

“Just… I think it’s Braxton Hicks. False contractions.”

Eva helped her to bed. “You sure?”

“I don’t know.”

The door slammed open seconds later. His eyes found her instantly. “What happened?”

“She’s cramping,” Maria said quickly.

He was at her side in a heartbeat, scooping her into his arms.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

“Luca, I’m okay.”

“You don’t get to decide that anymore,” he snapped. “You scared me.”

That last part was only for her.

At the hospital, everything was looked into, just early cramping, nothing dangerous.

Still, Luca never let go of her hand. Not during the exam. Not when the heartbeat filled the room. Not even when his jaw trembled faintly at the sound.

Back at the penthouse, he settled her into bed and stayed. Just held her.

Half-asleep, she murmured, “You were scared.”

“Yes.”

“You care.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes opened just enough to meet his. “Tell me why that terrifies you.”

He exhaled. “Because you’re the first thing I’ve ever wanted that I can’t afford to lose.”

Her heart cracked wide open.

But neither of them spoke again.