Chapter 67

Luca’s POV

When Mara passed out, panic really set in for me. My first instinct was to take her straight to the pool where there was cool water to wake her. I walked down the steps into the pool until both of our bodies were submerged. As the water crossed her chest she woke with a startle. She climbed my body to escape the water. “Marabella, it’s okay, stay calm”, I coaxed. I held onto her tightly, not letting her get away from me.

Mara’s breathing was erratic before she slowly began to relax against me with each sentence I uttered to her. “What happened?”, she asked groggily. “You passed out, piccola”, I uttered, holding her close to me. Mara’s fingers massaged my back and shoulders, digging into me to try and get closer.

“Is the water too cold?”, I asked gently. “Not anymore. It is also helping with the pain”, she muttered, resting her head on my shoulder. “Good”, I uttered, floating around the pool with her. Some time passed, as the sun started to set. “Let’s get you in for a shower. Before it gets too cold”, I said, heading towards the exit of the pool. Mara nodded and held onto me tightly.

I took her straight to the room, soaking wet clothes and all. I got us into a warm shower and got us washed down. Mara stood before me, her eyes drooping closed. “Would you like to lie down, little one?”, I asked softly. Mara peeked at me and nodded, “Yes daddy”, she uttered. I smiled, as I wrapped a towel around her and dried her off. I put my shirt on her, letting it fall to her thighs. “Go lay down then”, I uttered, patting her on the ass.

Mara stood still for a second with a questionative look on her face. “Are you coming?”, she whispered. I chuckled, “Yes, piccola. I’m right behind you, just need to get dressed, love”, I answered her. I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Mara wiggled with giddiness as she turned and headed to the bedroom.

I chuckled as I watched her exit the bathroom. That woman right there is something else. She brings me so much joy that I don’t know how to handle it.

My thoughts ran wild with thoughts of her as I dried off and threw a pair of sweat pants on. When I walked into the bedroom, Mara was already passed out on the bed. The sight of her took my breath away. I stood in silence and stared at her for a long moment, before my phone dinged and broke my trance.

Unknown: Heed the warnings brought to you

I looked at the message confused. Is it possible that this is Franky? Or is it my Uncle Robert? Heed the warnings brought to me? Is this some sort of sick game?

Luca: Who is this?

I waited for a few minutes before another message came through

Unknown: Don’t you wish you knew?

Now I am getting pissed off.

Luca: You obviously don’t know who you are talking to. I don’t give a fuck about warnings. They don’t scare me.

Unknown: They will Luca Barello. They will

What the fuck are they talking about? This cryptic bullshit is for the birds.

Luca: Hit me with your best shot then

I know I am playing with fire. But I honestly don’t care. They can come at me if they want. It’s just that precious woman I have to keep safe in all of this. My eyes found my sleeping wife. The angel lying in my bed unbeknownst to the threats that constantly lie on our front door step. I put my phone on silent and crawled into the bed next to my wife.

Mara stirred as I snuggled in next to her. It’s still pretty early but I know I wore her out in the gardens. So I snuggled in close and started stroking her arm and side. Her whimpers and mewls were absolutely adorable. “I love you Marabella Rose”, I whispered mindlessly. Mara moaned as she turned her head towards me, “I love you too, Luca”, she muttered. That was when it hit me what I had just said to her.

I stared at her for a moment, completely shell shocked. “I fucking love you, piccola”, I said louder and with more passion. The smile that lit her face was blinding. “I fucking love you, daddy”, she giggled. I smashed my lips to hers, letting my feelings pour out to her. Her fingers laced into my hair as she moaned into the kiss.

My hand was wrapped around her throat. God dammit I fucking love this woman. And I finally just admitted it to her and myself. I was worried about how I would tell her but it felt so right when I did. I’m not scared to admit it anymore. I will spend my life showing her how much I love her. She deserves the world and I will deliver it to her.