Chapter 68

Marabella’s POV

When I woke up, Luca’s arm was wrapped around my waist, putting pressure on my side. I carefully lifted his arm, relieving the pressure and sighing with relief. “I’m sorry, piccola. How do you feel this morning?”, he asked huskily. I groaned at the tone of his voice. “I feel okay”, I replied. “Just okay?”, he pushed. “I’m okay”, I uttered.

“Are you going to insist on going to class today?”, he asked. I sighed, as I stroked his arm. “I have to, daddy”, I whispered. “Keep Rex next to you at all times, little one”, he instructed. “I will daddy”, I agreed. Luca snuggled into my back and placed a soft kiss on my shoulder, before getting up.

We got dressed and headed downstairs for some breakfast. The staff had prepared a light strawberry and banana crepe breakfast. I sat down with the family and ate my breakfast. Luca watched me closely as I ate. His hand was firmly placed on my thigh. Keeping my mind at bay.

“Are you going to school today, sorella?”, Marco asked. “Yes I am. How are you feeling, Brother? Are the stitches holding well? I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to come check on you”, I sputtered in one breath. Marco chuckled. “Yes, sorella. The stitches are holding up just fine, and I am already feeling a lot better, thanks to you. However, I am worried about you going to class today. Isn’t it a bit too soon?”, Marco commented, looking over at Luca.

Luca started to open his mouth and speak but stopped himself. “Brother, it is a bit too early”, Carlo piped in. “Marabella and I have discussed the dangers of the situation. She understands the risk she is taking. However, school is also important to your sister. If she wants to show the enemy her strength, I will stand beside her”, Luca said. I smiled softly to myself, thankful that he had my back.

“As a King should for his Queen”, Ma said, nodding her head. “Be safe today, Bella”, she said, giving me a soft smile. “Thank you, Ma”, I said, smiling back at her. “Sorella, please be extra careful”, Sergio chimed in. “I will, fratello”, I responded, catching the entire room by surprise. Luca led me from the kitchen, with a look of curiosity on his face.

As soon as we were out of ear shot, Luca pushed me up against the wall, his hand gentle but firm as he wrapped his fingers around my throat. “Il mia esuberante gattina conosce l’italiano? (Does my feisty little kitten know Italian?)”, Luca grunted under his breath, his lips brushing against mine. A sly smirk crossed my lips as I shrugged, making Luca growl.

“E se lo faccio? ( And if I do?)”, I croaked out. Luca’s nose skimmed across my cheek towards my ear. “Quindi mi hair capitol tutted quelled volte. (So, you did understand me all of those times.)” he grunted, pinning me to the wall harder. “Si papa, I’ho fatto. (Yes daddy, I did)”, I answered, letting my hands climb his torso. “Perche? (Why?)”, he asked, almost hurt.

I frowned, as I hugged him close. “I don’t know. It’s not like I was hiding it from you. I thought you knew it was on my transcript”, I replied. Luca froze for a moment before laughing. “I was much too distracted to see that part of your transcript. I’m sorry, little one”, he shrugged, pulling back to look at me.

“Let’s get you to class before you are late”, he said, taking me by the hand. Rex’s car was behind Luca’s, as we walked outside. “Are you driving me?”, I asked confused. “Yes, piccola. Is that a problem?”, he asked, looking over his shoulder at me. “No, not at all. I was just wondering, that’s all”, I answered. Luca nodded, “You were just wondering”, he repeated, unconvinced.

He opened the passenger side door for me and waited until I was seated to put my seatbelt on me. He closed the door and walked around the car to get in, himself. “Did you not want me to drive, little one?”, he asked, once he was seated. “I do, daddy. I just didn’t realize you were going to. So I asked because I was unaware”, I explained. Luca nodded as he reached over to thread his fingers with mine.

“I’ll be driving you today”, he clarified. I smiled as I leaned back in the seat to enjoy the ride. “Are you sure you are going to be alright, love?”, he asked concernedly. “Yeah, I’ll be okay”, I answered. Luca looked at me momentarily before looking back at the road. “You’ll text me if you need anything, right? Or if anything happens?”, he whispered, looking over at me again. “Yes sir, I will”, I answered him.

Luca pulled to a stop in front of my school. He jumped out and ran around to open my door. He helped me out of the vehicle, and wrapped his arms around my waist to hug me close. I held him as we waited for Rex to walk up. “I love you, principessa”, he whispered. “I love you too, Luca”, I replied. “Have a good day at school, little one”, he muttered. “You have a wonderful day at work”, I said, lifting on my tip toes to kiss him.

Luca kissed me hard, as if it might be his last time ever kissing me. So, I kissed him back with the same amount of passion. Rex stood by when we pulled away. “Take care of her”, Luca said in a threatening tone. “Yes sir”, Rex nodded.