Chapter 50

Luca’s POV

I couldn’t stop looking down at Mara and grinning from ear to ear. She sat through and even participated in a torture session. It sounds horrible, I know. But, it means she is more than ready to be my Queen. “Luca”, Mara whimpered. “Yes, piccola?”, I muttered. “Can you carry me, please? I don’t think I can take another step”, she whined in a small voice. My chest expanded with pride. She actually asked me to pick her up.

I carefully scooped her up and carried her across the threshold of our home. Of course, because it is early morning, my mother was at the front door waiting, with pure worry written on her face. “Bella, are you okay?”, she asked anxiously. Bella? “Yes, ma. Just a little sore”, Mara lied. “You must be hungry”, ma said. “I made her eat breakfast at the hospital ma”, I said sternly.

“Luca didn’t eat though. Can you have a maid go ahead and bring two plates to our room? I think I can eat a bit more”, Mara answered, squeezing my shoulder. “Absolutely, dear”, she nodded, headed off to the kitchen. I tsked as I climbed the staircase with my beautiful bride still securely set in my arms. “You lied to ma”, I scolded.

“Not uh, I could eat some more”, Mara squeaked. “About only being a little sore, il mia culetto intelligente (my little smart ass)”, I teased her. “Oh”, she mouthed, looking down at my chest. “Yeah, oh”, I uttered. “Are you going to spank me for that too?”, she asked, peeking up at me.

I growled, “Lucky for you, I’m not. You didn’t lie to me, and you were trying not to make ma worry. But, make no mistake, you lie to me, piccola. I will spank you until all you can feel is my hand for a week”, I threatened. Mara shivered in my arms, making me smirk, as I stepped into our bedroom. “Sofa or bed, bambina?”, I asked, softly.

“Uh, the sofa, since they are bringing food”, she answered gently. “Amore mia, you can eat in bed if you want to”, I said. “No, it’s okay”, she muttered. I nodded and walked over to the sofa, and set her down gently. “I’m going to get you some clothes, piccola. So that we can get you out of your dress”, I smirked, and winked, immediately lightening the mood. Mara blushed deeply and covered her face.

I grabbed one of my big, long-sleeve shirts, so that she wouldn’t have to try and put pants or shorts on over her wound. When I walked out of the closet, Mara was flipping through the television channels, looking for something to watch. “Luca, what do you want to watch?”, she whined. I grinned as I stepped in front of her. “You, slipping out of that dress”, I purred. Mara squeaked, and her eyes grew wide, as red tinted her beautiful face.

I reached down and tenderly helped her stand and turn her back to me. I gently slid her hair over her shoulder and took my time as I unzipped her now destroyed dress. Goosebumps spread across her skin, bringing me pride and joy. “This is the second time I have left this house in a dress and come back with it torn up or destroyed in some way”, Mara whispered. I could see the side of her face, as she formed a frown.

“That’s okay, piccola. The dresses don’t matter, only you”, I muttered, kissing the soft flesh on her shoulder, then up her next. Mara mewled, as my fingers skimmed down her back and around her waist to her stomach. Her hands gently shadowed mine. “You are absolutely stunning, bambina. And, all mine”, I groaned, placing a deeper kiss on the dip where her neck and shoulder met.

“Luca”, she stuttered, her knee giving out on her. I tightened my hold around her waist. “I’m sorry, piccola. I forgot that you need to sit down”, I apologized. I grabbed my shirt with my free hand. “Lean on me, baby girl”, I whispered in her ear. Mara leaned some of her weight on me so that I could release her waist.

I slipped the shirt over her head, and then held her by the hips as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. Mara slipped the shirt down her body, making my hands disappear under it. A knock resonated on the door, making Mara flinch. “One minute”, I called out. Mara’s breathing picked up slightly, worrying me.

“It’s okay, piccola. Deep breaths”, I cooed. “Easy does it”, I whispered, helping her smoothly sit down so that she didn’t jar herself. Enjoy this chapter for free and stay updated with the latest version on *. Don’t miss out, visit it now. Once I had her settled, I covered her lap with a throw blanket. I opened the door, finding Carlo at the door. Surprising to see him up and moving around. I’m glad that I said to wait and I covered her up.

“Looking good, brother”, I said, with a grin and nod. I took the tray from him as he pursed his lips at me. “I’m not here for you”, he popped off. “How rude”, I deadpanned. “Where is she?”, Carlo asked. I rolled my eyes and stepped to the side, holding my arm out in the direction of the sofa. Carlo limped passed me, sighing with relief when he saw her sitting up.

“Sorella (sister), how are you?”, he asked concernedly, as he plopped down next to her, in my seat. I growled, as I sat the tray of food on the coffee table. “I’m okay. How are you doing? I see you are at least walking around”, Mara said timidly. “Yes, thanks to you”, Carlo said. “I heard you were a badass in the dungeons”, he said, pumped.

Mara looked at me with wide eyes. “How do you already know that?”, I snapped, catching his attention. “Oh, all the soldatos are talking about how their Queen was killing it down there”, Carlo brushed it off, looking back at Mara. “So, tell me all about it. Did you enjoy it?”, he asked, carelessly. Mara’s eyes grew wider, and they begged me to shut him up.

“Carlo, that’s enough. Marabella needs to eat, and get some rest. Beat it”, I growled. Carlo pouted, “That’s no fair”. “Now, Carlo”, I gritted, showing my teeth. Carlo put his hands up in surrender and slowly stood up, “Fine, fine”. “Get some rest, sorella”, he told Mara. “You too, stay off your leg”, she scolded, like a big sister would. I grinned, loving how well she has already fit in with my family.