LUCA“GET DOWN!” I jumped, placing my body over Alina's, who was still staring at her uncle.We fell together, the report of Roberto's gun cutting off suddenly as we hit the floor. Pain exploded from my shoulders and I rolled. Another gun shot broke out and then erie silence descended. “Fuck!” I heard Roberto swear suddenly as I stood onto my knees.“Alina? Are you okay?” I asked, desperate to hear her voice and know she was safe. She nodded, breathing as she opened her eyes. “I am fine. Are you shot?” I shook my head and stood, pulling her up. Roberto was lying on the floor, bleeding from a leg wound and another on his chest. “Shit!” Mikhail was swearing. “I didn't mean to kill him. Damn it.”Marco and Pietro ran over to us. “Are you shot? Do I call the doctor?” Pietro asked Alina.“I'm fine.” She responded, still uneasy.I walked towards Roberto and kicked him in his stomach. Bending beside him, I slapped him till his eyes opened. “Lie back, or I swear I'll get that gun and sh
ALINAI chuckled, reading the power move in seconds. I went around the room, greeting the men who were older than me. Mikhail was sitting just beside Roberto, glaring at him. I stopped beside Roberto. “You're in my seat.” Roberto smirked, chuckling just under his breath. “Actually, you do not have a seat at this countil any longer.” “I see you've decided you want to lose another limb.” I said to him, dropping a look at his missing body part. Roberto’s lips thinned angrily as his face was suffused with color. He shot an angry look at Luca who barely spared him a glance. He pushed me away from him, pushing his chair closer to the table. I barely steadied myself before I heard his head slam against the desk. “Shit!” Roberto grunted. “Uhhhhh.” Luca had his arms around me, steadying me on my feet, and another hand around Roberto’s head, pressing his head into the desk. “Are you steady, Sunshine?” He asked me, his gaze on my face, his brows tight with worry. I nodded, forcing my h
ALINAI woke snuggled in Luca's arms the next morning. I tried moving, but his arms only held me tighter.“Where are you going?” He asked, his words muffled against my chest.I giggled, my chest lighter than it had ever been. “I need to use the bathroom.” Luca groaned and turned over, blinking. There was stubble on his chin and his lips puckered as he kissed my forehead. “Good morning, Sunshine.”.I felt heat crawl down my spine. “Good morning, Luca.” I kissed his lips softly. He held me tighter, hugging me so hard I couldn't breathe. “You're so warm.” I laughed, my chest tightening. I felt so full like I might burst out and fly. “I'll be back, but I need the bathroom so I don't release the content of my bowels on the sheets.” Luca groaned and let me go. I hurried to the bathroom, peed, brushed my teeth and finally ran a brush through my hair. Luca was already sitting up in bed when I stepped into the room. I stifled a sigh of disappointment when I saw the tightness of his jaw.I
LUCAI stepped into the kitchen. I didn’t think twice. I walked up, pulled Alina close, and kissed her soundly. I reminded myself that she was my wife, and that she was safe. Her scent hit me immediately, soft and sweet like lilies. For a second, it felt like every heavy thing sitting on my shoulders lifted.Maya stretched her arms, begging me to lift her. laughed under my breath, carried her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her soft cheek. Leo was right behind her, tugging on my pants, saying he wanted up too. I scooped him up into my other arm, and Alina smiled, the kind of smile that made me forget everything else for a second. Holding the children while we stood together in our kitchen felt surreal and perfect. Was this what having our own children would feel like? No, I shoved the thought away. Maya and Leo were already in enough trouble, bringing my own seed into the rotten world we belonged in wasn't something I ever wanted to do.Still, I held the children closer. “How
LUCAMr. Talciro was seated across from me, a frown marring his face. “Are you not interested in the gold?” He asked. “I will give you twenty percent of the profit.” I chuckled. “I am interested in the gold, but I am not foolish, I will not risk my neck because of greed.” Mr. Talciro had called to schedule a meeting with my secretary. He had even allowed me to choose the location as a gesture of good will.We were seated in a private booth at an upscale restaurant. “You will provide the men, I will provide the means. We can make millions. And if you impress me, there will be more where this came from.” I took a sip of my whiskey and felt it burn down my chest. “And if my men are caught, what then?” Mr. Talciro waved the words away. He smirked. “I hear your men are the most brutal on the streets. I'm sure that will never happen.”Did he think I was foolish? How could he expect me to give him my men, and in exchange, they got to control the operation and still keep the majority of
ALINAI kicked out immediately, landing a blow against Luca's father. He hissed and pushed me away and I went sprawling on the floor. Pain shot up my arms, and I moaned, frowning up at the man towering over me. “Why the hell would you do that?” I spat at him. “So not only have you taken over my son's home, but now you feel you can hit me back?” He snapped at me, pulling me off the floor.I frowned. “You surprised me. I didn't know it was you. Good afternoon, Mr. Marino.” I greeted, shuddering in pain. I had badly scratched my arm falling on the floor. Luca's dad looked me up and down derisively. “Where’s my son?” My forehead wrinkled. Luca had a phone, why didn't his father call him directly? “I'm uncertain, Mr. Marino.” I turned to Lorenzo who was watching the scene, uncertain. “Where is my husband, Lorenzo?” “He's in a meeting at the office.” Luca's father frowned. “Inform him that I am coming to his office.” He turned to me. “I hear that you are keeping Valerie's children i