Chapter 61

Luca’s POV

The morning light shined through the curtains, peeking across the room in a ray. Marabella has her back flat against my chest, with my arm tight around her waist. I inhaled her scent, loving every second of being blessed with waking up next to her. I lay there silently, soaking up her scent, and finding comfort in her being safe in my arms at the moment. Her steady breathing keeps my heartbeat at rhythm.

Mara moaned in her sleep as she stretched and moved her arms and legs. She whimpered and gripped my arm. I didn’t speak, in fear that if she could sleep through her pain, that I would wake her up. Mara’s breathing shifted, telling me that her pain woke her up. “Good morning, piccola”, I uttered softly. “Would you like another hot bubble bath to help with the pain?”, I whispered. “Please”, she croaked, on the edge of tears.

I kissed the back of her head as I climbed out of bed. “I’ll be right back”, I muttered. I made my way to the tub and started to fill it up. I put Epson salts and essential oils in it to help with her pain. When I walked back into the room, Mara was sitting up on the bed, rocking slightly, with a hiss. “Bambina”, I whispered. Mara peaked up at me, unshed tears were clouding her eyes. “Pain level?”, I demanded. “Right now, 8”, she gritted out. I groaned, as I rubbed my fingers through my hair. “Come”, I said, leaning down and scooping her up gently.

She whimpered as she clutched at my shoulders. I took her to the bathroom and sat her on the countertop. I found some Advil and handed her four. I filled a cup with water, handing her that too. “Take them, piccola”, I nodded. Mara frowned and she popped them into her mouth and took a swig of water.

“Good girl”, I uttered, reaching for the hem of her shirt. I pulled her clothes off and stripped mine as well. I slipped down into the tub with her in my arms. I could feel her body instantly relax against me. I rubbed my hands up and down her back. Feeling as she gradually melted into me, until she was asleep.

I kicked back, and got comfortable. I held onto her, continuing to massage her back, arms and legs. The quiet was soothing. The sound of the water moving with my arms added the perfect effect. A knock on my bathroom door startled both of us. “What?”, I called out, irritably. “Boss, your mother requested your presence”, Cal called through the door. “Tell her that I am helping Marabella, I will be down soon enough”, I called back. “Yes sir”, Cal replied.

I could feel Mara’s pulse through the back of her neck. Her heart beat a hundred miles a second. “It’s okay, little one”, I whispered, stroking her neck with my fingers. “I want to lay back in bed. You should go see your mother”, she muttered. “How do you feel, Mara?”, I asked. “Better, it’s like a 5 now”, she whispered. “Then we will stay here a little while longer”, I uttered in her ear. Mara’s arms tightened around me, “Yes sir”, she whispered.

I held her for at least another twenty minutes, before pulling the plug on the tub. I stood with her in my arms, and stepped out. After drying her off, I helped her dress. “I want to go with you”, Mara whispered, drawing my eyes up to hers. “Are you sure?”, I questioned, skeptically. Marabella nodded, “I miss the family”, she uttered softly.

I grinned and nodded. “Your wish is my command, principessa”, I said. After getting myself dressed, I led Mara out of the room. Once we got to the stairs, I scooped her into my arms bridal style, and descended the steps. Mara didn’t protest, which warmed my heart, telling me that she trusts me more and more every day.

My mother waited at the kitchen table, with fury written on her face. As I rounded the corner, I understood why. “What are you doing here?”, I sneered, looking at my Uncle Robert, once again. “All this family drama brought me back. I mean, your brother gets shot, your wife gets shot. Obviously, I need to be here”, he grinned wickedly.

I growled as I held my wife closer to me. Mara patted my shoulder to put her down. “Who told you that I was shot?”, she asked, standing on her own two feet. “Does it matter, young lady?”, he snapped. I growled viciously, taking a step in front of my wife. “Watch your tongue”, I sneered. “Answer her question”, I demanded. “I do not have to release my resources”, he replied nonchalantly. “I told you not to come back anyway”, I gritted out.

“Well, that’s too bad son”, he smirked. “I’m not your fucking son”, I snapped. Robert held his hands up in fake surrender. “I’m sorry, I forgot how sensitive you are to that”, he chuckled. That cut right through me. “Fuck you. Get out of my house”, I growled. “Not until we have a talk, little nephew”, he grinned wickedly.