LUCAI couldn't look at her. No, it wasn't really hate. I didn't hate her, but I just couldn't look at her.It was hurt, and I'd left the cabin to avoid the very thing I was feeling now. I backed away from Alina, pulled my arm from Analide’s and nodded at Mr. Talciro who had walked over to us.“Thank you, I'll reach out if I need any more of your help. I'll drop you off at home, Analide.” Analide nodded eagerly and placed her fingers back on my arm as though she didn't see the look Alina was darting at her. Alina would claw her eyes out of she kept doing that. I waited until Talciro had stepped into his car and slammed the door shut before turning back to Alina. “Marco is in there. Get some sleep, we'll talk after my meeting with Riot.” Alina’s eyes were dark enough to dim light. She snapped a finger in the air. “Get over here, Analide. I'd like a word with you.” Analide stopped uncertainly, begging me with her eyes to save her. “I'm sure Luca will like my help right now. Can we
ALINAI called Megan to continue cooking while I walked outside onto the porch. “What the hell do you want, Alberto, you nasty man!” I snapped at my uncle.My words couldn't hurt him, but he didn't know how much his words worried me. I could feel a niggling in the back of my mind, a terrible feeling that I didn't even want to consider.Alberto laughed, and I could hear the glee that he received from everything. How did he even know what was going on? “You really thought you won, Alina? You've always been a foolish child. You should have given up the Mafia when I was willing to forgive and forget.” “I'm not willing to trade words with you. It would be so stupid of me. What do you want, Alberto?” I kicked out against the chair on the porch, needing a release for all the emotions festering inside me. “Nothing,” he said, and I could almost see his shrug. “First, I’ll take those two brats from you. Then I’ll make sure your husband rots for killing his mistress. Then I’ll rip the Costa
ALINA Luca was gone, and we waited but Marco didn't come for us. Since Luca had taken the car, I called home and got Pietro to send someone to pick us up. Luca’s discovery of Vector had come out of nowhere and though I'd called Vector back, he hadn't answered and neither had he returned my call.. I dialed him again, but again, it went straight to voice mail. I called Marco and he finally answered. “What's happening there? Where's Luca?” I could hear my anxiety seeping into my voice and I caught a moment to fight my emotions into order. “He's been at the office with Mr. Talciro and Analide. He's trying to revoke the warrant and the court order. Maybe give him a moment to catch his breath?” I pulled the phone from my ear, frowning at it. Since when did Marco assume he could speak to me that way? Had Luca told him that we'd had a fight. I brought the phone back to my ear. “I asked a question, Marco.” There was a pause on the line and I could almost hear Marco’s anger brea
ALINAI stretched in bed, the space between my legs sore as hell. Instead of wincing, a grin curled my lips as I opened my eyes. Luca and I had taken breakfast together, then played on the beach with the kids before returning home to crash into bed.I needed to call Mom and Valentina now that I was much more relaxed to let them know that I'd even traveled. I giggled softly as I turned over onto my stomach and closed my eyes.Maybe I could surprise Luca by making dinner for us when I finally got myself out of bed. Maybe I could even get the kids to help. It would be fun. “Who’s Vector, Alina?” I sat up. Luca was beside me, sitting at the foot of the bed with a towel around his waist.He had my phone in his hand and a sour look on his handsome face.“Your phone's been ringing for the last hour, and I finally answered because I didn't want to wake you. Imagine my shock when Vector, this Vector tells me he's stationed in your family house.” I winced finally, sitting up in bed. “Luca? I
LUCAHer skin was warm against mine from the heated water pounding down both our backs.I wrapped my arm around her waist and tugged her back into my chest. Alina exhaled softly, her spine melting into mine.She spread her legs, moaning on a gasp as my fingers traced back down her waist to settle between her open legs. “Luca, what are you doing?” I kissed the top of her shoulders, slow, soft, lingering with my tongue swiping over her skin. “I think that's rather obvious.” Her breathing stuttered, dying in the back of her throat as she turned into my arms. I allowed her, snaking my fingers between us to stroke her clit.She mewled gently as her eyes dragged over my face, her mouth brushing the corner of my lips as she leaned in. I caught her bottom lip between mine, and pulled gently until she cried out. “Shit, Luca!” She swore, arching her breasts into my chest. She moved closer, her thigh sliding over mine as her hand lifted to my jaw. I opened for her, catching her tongue with
LUCA“You didn't tell me you knew how to cook!” Alina’s betrayed tone as she laughed on the kitchen counter was all I needed to complete the idyllic feel of our first two vacation days. We were staying on the edge of the world, just far enough away from danger and close enough to the water to allow the air feel safe. And I could see how that was allowing Alina unwind and rest. “You didn't ask,” I shrugged, placing a lamb rib onto the marinating bowl. She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes as she came around the counter and snuck a piece of bacon off the plate.She closed her eyes as she chewed on it. When they opened, she grinned. “Oh that's good.” “I know.” I'd made it a responsibility to know how to cook after mother died and it was just Sofia and I. Father didn't cook. What Mafia man did? And some of the nannies didn't know how to sauce a steak. I had to learn and learn fast. “Pride,” Alina said, slapping my arm. I caught her fingers and kissed her knuckles gently. Her e