Chapter 101

Luca’s POV

I carried Marabella outside to the vehicle so that we could go home. I am angry with her right now. She put herself in danger by coming to save me. But she was also extremely successful at it. She even got Serg out alive. I know because I am staring at him right now. He’s sitting in the back of an SUV getting his wounds treated.

“Are you mad at me?”, Mara whispered against my neck. I sighed as I held her head to my shoulder. I can’t be mad at her. She saved me and my brother, and she just found out some devastating news. At least I knew my whole life what kind of life I would have. My father prepared me well, while my mother showed us the love he couldn’t afford to. Mara’s was manipulated and forged for her without her knowing.

“No bambina. I am too grateful to be holding your warm body to be mad at you”, I answered her. She gasped as she clung to me harder. “Sergio, what’s the damage?”, I called out. “Not too bad, brother. I’ll be on the mend”, he answered. Mara’s head snapped up at Sergio’s voice. She quickly jumped out of my arms and faced Sergio and the two guarding him with a fire like no other.

“You were given strict orders to get him out of here. What the fuck is he still doing here?”, she demanded. I placed my hands on her shoulders, attempting to calm her, even just a little. “I told them not to take me anywhere until I knew if my brother was safe”, Sergio answered on their behalf. Uh oh.

“I don’t give a damn. Things could have gone south here and us have to abandon the building in another way, and you could’ve got hurt. Did you think of that? There was a meeting spot designated for meeting after this for safety measures”, Mara snapped, using her hands to talk.

“Sorella, my apologies”, Sergio said, his face fallen of fight. “Don’t undermine me again Sergio”, she said, her voice stern. “Yes ma’am”, Sergio nodded. He fully understands how his undermining her could seem to the crew, and after such a well executed rescue, she doesn’t need to lose any of their respect. She worked too hard to get it.

“Get him home”, I commanded, backing my wife. “Yes sir”, the two soldatos nodded. I walked Marabella to our SUV and opened the door for her. She stopped and looked up at me, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so relieved to see you in one piece”, she uttered. I chuckled, “I’m glad to be here in one piece”, I replied, kissing her on the nose, and stroking her cheek.

Mara was snuggled into my side for the whole ride home. Knowing that she was finally back at my side, I felt the same relief as her. She knew she could hand it back over to me and decompress in my arms. That’s what I’m here for, and I’m so glad she has finally realized that.

“Are you okay?”, she whispered, looking up at me. Her hands searched my body for blood or tender spots. “Yes, piccola. He only roughed me up a bit. I think his whole plan was to trap you, but he didn’t realize how smart and cunning you really are”, I answered her, pride, bold in my tone.

Mara smiled softly as she rooted her head against my chest. “It was you”, she uttered. “I’m sorry?”, I asked. “It was you who guided me, I could feel your energy. It was what helped me keep a level head”, she said, peering back up at me. I grinned, as I leaned in and kissed her.

I kissed her with the passion of a man who believed he was never going to see his wife again. Because it’s true. I really didn’t think Franky was going to let me walk out of there alive. Shame on me though, for underestimating my wife. As the thought passed through my head, I kissed her harder. Shame on me.

Mara’s breathing shifted, getting heavier and more gaspy. I know what I am doing to her. I need to stop, or I will take her in the back seat, with Cal in the front, and no care in the world. I wrapped my hand around her throat gently, and pulled away. “I have to stop, Mara”, I groaned. Marabella whined, her eyes shining with want. “I’m so sorry, piccola”, I apologized, knowing it was totally fucked up that I started something I couldn’t finish at this moment.

I slid my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her into my chest. Mara instantly took a long breath in of my scent. “Later, love, I promise”, I uttered in her ear. “I killed her”, she muttered. I swallowed hard, and stroked her scalp. “Yes, you did”, I said. “She was the one from when I was abducted”, she confessed. “I know. I knew what you meant when you said she was the voice”, I assured her.

“But, that wasn’t reason enough to kill her”, she said in a small voice. “It was for me”, I said, holding her closer. “If you hadn’t done it, I would have”, I clarified. “So, the guy who was involved”, she suggested. “He’s dead, baby. He refused to give Zera up. I don’t know what she had over him, but it was enough”, I answered. “She probably threatened his family or something”, Mara uttered, as she rubbed my stomach. “Yeah, probably some low blow shit like that”, I agreed.

The car came to a stop in front of the villa. “Come, we both need showers before presenting ourselves to anyone”, I said, taking Mara’s hand. Marabella followed my lead, and followed closely behind. However, I realized our efforts were fruitless as soon as we entered the house.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?”, Ma’s voice was stressed, as she clamored over Marabella and I. But that wasn’t what had my attention. No, it was my p.o.s uncle, staring at my wife like she was scum on earth. “Oi, what the fuck are you doing here?”, I snapped. My uncle’s dark eyes met mine. “Where is he?”, he asked through gritted teeth.

“Who?”, I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air. “You know who. Stop fucking playing games with me, boy”, Robert growled. “Boys!!!”, Ma yelled. I clenched my jaw, my eyes dead set on Robert’s. “My office”, I growled. “No, you need to get cleaned up and eat, Luca”, Ma said. I looked at Ma, then looked over at Mara. She stood still, her face stone, and zoned in on Robert’s face.

I am not sure what to do right now. I feel like Mara and I should shower first, get some food in our system, but I also feel like Robert is a situation that needs to be taken care of immediately. “You’re right. The family and I will stay for dinner then, Marg”, Robert told my mother.

He has his family with him, hmm, interesting. I am making an executive decision to make Mara shower first. “Come, Marabella. We need to shower”, I said, taking her hand. I could feel Mara’s resistance in walking away, but she obeyed and followed anyway. “Really?”, she whispered, when we were far enough away. “I have to think this through, Mara. I can’t just jump into this blind”, I told her, bringing her into the room.

“He was obviously talking about Franky, Luca”, she raised her voice, throwing her hands in the air. “You need to remember who you are talking to, Marabella Rose”, I growled. “I know he was talking about Franky. But why? How?”, I said out loud, stripping myself of my clothes before reaching for Marabella.