Chapter 109

Luca’s POV

After making Marabella scream my name multiple times, I cleaned her up. “Stay here, piccola”, I ordered. “Where are you going?”, she questioned, pulling the blanket up to her chest, as she sat up to rest against the headboard. “To get you some dinner”, I grinned, as I slid my pants on. She smiled peacefully as she laid her head back.

I stopped and admired her raw beauty. Mara’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled shyly. “What, daddy?”, she uttered. “You are so beautiful, baby girl”, I said, my eyes stuck on her. Marabella blushed and giggled like a school girl. My soul lurched at the sound. It was magical.

“Daddy, I’m hungry”, she pouted. “I’m going, I’m going”, I goofed. I chuckled as I left the bedroom and went downstairs to see what ma had cooked for dinner. Carlo sat at the counter eating ice cream straight from the jar. “What the hell are you doing?”, I asked in a deep voice. Making him jump and squeal like a little girl. “You sounded like a little bitch, bro”, I busted out laughing.

“Fuck off, Luc. You scared the shit out of me”, he whined, brushing me off. I couldn’t stop laughing, my sides began to hurt. “I’m well aware you need to go change your underwear, bro. I can smell it, you don’t have to announce it”, I joked, laughing louder. “Asshole”, Carlo uttered under his breath. I sighed, as I finally got my laughter under control.

I pulled the leftover chicken fettuccine out of the fridge and threw it in the microwave. “You know, ma gets real sad when you two aren’t down here for dinner”, Carlo commented. “I understand that. However, my wife is going through more than the average joe at the moment. Whatever I can do to help her relax or get her mind off things, I will do”, I said, pulling two forks from the drawer. “Like stick your dick in her?”, he chuckled, raising an eyebrow at me. “Or tongue, or fingers”, I shrugged, before I started laughing again.

“You keep it up, brother and I will be an uncle before the end of the year”, Carlo said, as he took another bite of ice cream. “That’s the point. Duh”, I said, shaking my head as if I couldn’t believe what he was saying. Carlo started laughing and so did I. This feels nice. Being able to just joke around with my brother in the kitchen at seven o’clock at night. No worries looming over my head. Well, none that need my absolute immediate attention.

I can take my time and approach the next task with stealth and wit. “Oi, I am going to feed my little monster”, I said, pulling our food from the microwave. “Good luck”, Carlo teased. “Don’t eat all of that. I may want to lick it off my wife later”, I said, raising an eyebrow at him.

His face dropped, along with his spoon. “It’s cool. I’m done anyway”, he said, pushing the container away from him. I exploded with laughter once again as I left the kitchen. “Good night, brother”, I called out. “Good night, dick”, he said back. I chuckled as I ascended the stairs. I may not always agree with their decisions. But, I do dearly love all of my brothers.

Marabella was watching the Simpsons when I walked into the bedroom. “Hi daddy”, she chirped. “Hi baby girl”, I chirped back. “I got our food”, I said cheerfully, as I held up our big bowl of food. Marabella wiggled back and forth, dancing happily. I chuckled as I shook my head. “Assolutamente adorabile (Absolutely adorable)”, I muttered, as I climbed onto the bed next to her.

Marabella and I watched the Simpsons as we ate our food. “Luca”, she uttered. “Yes baby?”, I questioned, looking over at her. “What about my father’s men? What will we do about them?”, she asked. “I’m not entirely sure, piccola. I am kind of waiting on a go from you”, I answered her honestly.

“Why?”, she inquired, tilting her head to the side. “Because, Franky is your father, you are the only heir to his throne. Therefore, those are your men in question”, I replied. Marabella sighed as she dug around in the bowl. “I guess I really do need to talk to him. I need to know if they know who I am. And their new place below me. If they don’t agree to my terms, then they will just have to be eliminated from the equation all together”, she concluded.

I nodded my head. “That sounds like tomorrow plans, little one. What do you need to get done tonight?”, I asked her. She sighed, “School work, like normal”, she answered with an attitude. “I thought I fixed that attitude problem of yours”, I commented. She stuck her bottom lip out in a pout. “I could honestly use a break from school for a little bit. That would be nice”, she muttered, getting up off the bed and walking over to the desk.

“Is that what you want, little one? A break from school?”, I asked, watching her with careful eyes. Mara ran her fingers through her hair, leaving it a mess when she was done. “I’m burnt out”, she uttered, looking over her shoulder at me. I could see all over her face how burnt out she truly was. It was like she was allowing me to see how much she actually carries for the first time.

My heart ached at her expression. “Come here, bambina”, I said, holding my arms out to her. She stood from the desk chair and walked back over to the bed. She crawled towards me and collapsed into my arms. “Sleep, little one. I won’t let anyone bother you”, I told her, meaning every bit of it.

“Daddy, can you play with my hair please?”, she whined. “Absolutely”, I answered her, immediately combing my fingers through her hair. I lay there and planned my next moves. I’ll come up with a line of questioning that Marabella and I can follow to determine the loyalty of Franky’s men. Or in other words, the loyalty of Marabella’s men.

I hate to put that on her, but I need her to make these decisions. I can’t do anything that may hurt her in the long run. But I also can’t sit back and let what’s supposed to be her own people hurt her either. Mara’s breathing slowed to match mine. I could feel her heart beat slow to the pace of mine, as well.

She’s mentally and physically exhausted. It’s beginning to show. So, to help her out, I will call the school in the morning and see about getting her a little vacation time approved. I will do everything I can to help her. I held her close to my chest. Enjoying every bit of contact we are receiving from holding one another. I’m not going to let this girl go. And I am not going to let her get hurt again.

I changed the TV station to news and sat back to watch it for a little bit. I am not sure how long I sat there watching TV, but before I knew it, I was dozing off, leaning up against the headboard. I scooted Mara around so that I could lay down next to her. Mara whimpered as I maneuvered her. “Shh, baby girl. It’s okay”, I whispered gently in her ear. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close to me.

“I love you, baby girl”, I uttered. “I love you daddy”, she whispered, snuggling into my chest. “Sweet dreams”, I whispered. “Sweet dreams”, she muttered. I could tell it was only a second before she fell back asleep. I chuckled to myself as I dozed off next to her.