Chapter Four

Emma

Luca reacts abruptly, slamming his foot on the brakes with such force as if there was an imminent threat of a multi-car pile-up ahead. The car comes to a screeching halt in a matter of seconds, throwing me forward as the seatbelt tightens against my skin, crushing my ribs and causing me to let out a painful groan.

I am still trying to catch my breath when we take a sudden left turn into a narrow single-track lane. The lane is covered with thick foliage of trees that wind around, obscuring the view ahead of us. As we continue down the lane, I realize that we are approaching a massive ten-foot wall. The wall is manned by at least five guards who seem to be on high alert at our appearance. The only way into the compound is through a wrought iron gate that is being guarded by these men.

The term "compound" refers to Luca's place of residence, a secured and heavily guarded home where his men are constantly patrolling the perimeter.

I have kept tabs on Luca's every movement and ability, meticulously trained to match his skillset perfectly. However, since I left him, I couldn't help but notice a significant change in his demeanour. Luca has become the enforcer his father needed, resorting to ruthless and violent means without a second thought.

I have observed his frivolous lifestyle, indulging in drugs, money, and women. Witnessing his behaviour has caused me immeasurable pain over the last six years. Despite my departure from his life, I have maintained my own network of spies within Luca's team, ensuring that I can stay ahead of him.

My spies are deeply embedded in his organization, and he remains oblivious to their presence. I intend to use this advantage to protect myself and any children I may bear for him. With my spies as our sole protectors, I can rest assured that we will always be safe from harm.

As the car glides through the iron gates and onto the long driveway, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. It's been years since I've seen Luca, and I'm not sure what to expect once we're alone. The man I once knew was kind and thoughtful, but I fear he may have changed for the worse.

As we approach the house, I'm stunned by its size. It's far larger than any place I would have expected Luca to live in, let alone work from. The car comes to a stop, and before I can even gather my thoughts, Luca turns to me with a sneer.

"Things have changed since you were last home, bambina," he hisses. "I'm a man now."

I can't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as he exits the car, his eyes scanning the men gathered around us with interest. It's clear that word has spread about his recent acquisition, and I can't shake the feeling that something dangerous is brewing.

As we make our way inside, I can't help but notice the subtle changes in Luca. He's more confident and more aggressive. He's become the man his father always wanted him to be, and it's clear that he's not the same person I once knew.

But I refuse to let him see how his actions have affected me. I won't give him that power. So I put on a brave face and steel myself for whatever comes next.

Despite only Don Moretta currently making preparations to pass down Luca's birthright, this is expected to have a significant impact on all the families that are in any way connected to the Morettas, so I'll be facing two Don's assessments until our marriage is legal.

As Luca strolls around his car, I can see that he is surrounded by six men. However, upon closer observation, I noticed that only one of them seemed to be paying any real attention to him, and he was familiar.

The man standing in front of me is clearly agitated. He leans in close and speaks in a low, menacing tone. "Hurry up, I don't have all night," he hisses, his breath hot on my face. I feel a surge of panic rise in my chest but manage to stifle the expletive that was about to escape my lips.

I glance over at Angelo—one of my own, hoping for some kind of support or reassurance. He catches my eye and shakes his head, barely perceptible. I know what he means—don't antagonize him further.

As we stand in front of the grand Victorian estate, I can't help but feel a sense of awe at its beauty. However, my admiration is cut short as Luca grabs my arm and drags me inside the house. Despite being his soon-to-be queen, I feel like a mere puppet in his hands.

I bite my tongue hard enough to taste blood, hoping that it will keep me from saying anything that might make things worse. I try to keep my eyes fixed on Luca's side profile, ignoring the grandeur of the estate around me. I know that the next few moments will be crucial, and I can't afford to make any mistakes.

The men follow behind us, and one of them asks, "Who's this?" with a hint of curiosity. However, Luca immediately shuts him down, saying, "No one of importance... keep your eyes off, Danny," while his grip on my arm tightens. It's clear that his behaviour contradicts his words.

As I look around, I can see that his men are all staring at me with furrowed brows, their concern for my safety palpable. Yet, despite their worry, none of them offer any help. They remain stoically quiet as if they are afraid to speak up or intervene.

The only exception is Angelo, who has a small and insignificant smile tugging at his lips. I know he's not afraid of Luca and that he understands the true extent of my powers. He knows that I could kill Luca within a matter of seconds with only my bare hands, but he also knows that I would never do that to the only man I have ever loved.

Luca continues to drag me through the house; his grip on my arm is unrelenting. We walk for what feels like an eternity, finally ending up in a room that seems to be on the furthest edge of the property, probably the farthest from his bedroom that he could possibly get. The silence in the room is deafening, and I can't help but wonder what he has planned for me.

As he opens the grand wooden doors, my eyes widen in amazement at the sight before me. The bedroom is fit for a king and queen, with ornate crown mouldings and gold accents adorning every inch of the walls. I can't help but admire the stunning decor, but my thoughts are quickly interrupted as Luca snarls at me, his voice dripping with venom.

"Stay here; I can't trust a snake with my secrets," he spits, pushing me with unnecessary force to make me cross the boundary line.

I stumble and catch my toe on the edge of the open door, but I don't make a sound. I can feel the pain radiating through my bones and up my leg, and a hiss escapes from the back of my throat involuntarily.

Luca's mistrust of me is evident, and I know it's misplaced. But I can't bring myself to ask him to turn his gaze to the true culprit, so I simply nod in agreement as he issues his stipulation.

He snarls once more before slamming the door shut, the sound of the lock clicking loudly behind him. I'm trapped here in this slice of heaven until he returns for me.

I should move from the spot where I landed, but I'm too shaken by Luca's less-than-friendly reaction to my return. The air is thick with tension, and I can't shake the feeling that things are about to get much worse before they have any chance of getting better.

The overwhelming feeling of being trapped in this situation threatens to consume me. Luca's father believed that I was a hindrance to his son's strength and success. In his eyes, I was the source of his son's weakness, and therefore, he removed me from Luca's life. As a result, Luca has become the king he was destined to be, but at what cost?

I can't help but wonder if Luca will reject our proposal of marriage. The thirty-year promise between our families may be broken before it even comes to fruition. I fear that Luca will go insane trying to find a way out of this demanding situation that his father has forced him into just before his takeover of the family business. The pressure on him must be immense, and I can only imagine the turmoil he must be going through.

As I regain my composure, I take another look around the room and marvel at the exquisite decor. My fingers glide over every surface, exploring every nook and cranny and tracing every detail of the intricate design.

I am drawn to the bed, its inviting warmth and softness beckoning me closer. The scent of a man lingers on the bedding, a deep, musky fragrance that fills my nostrils with an intensity that sets my senses ablaze. It reminds me of Luca, his masculine presence and powerful aura, and I am lost in thought for a moment.

Slowly, I make my way to the closed doors, curious to uncover the secrets they hold. Inside, I discover a bathroom that is fit for royalty, with gleaming fixtures and sparkling surfaces that reflect the light in a dazzling display. And then there is the walk-in closet, a spacious chamber that seems to stretch on forever, with rows upon rows of neatly arranged clothing, shoes, and accessories. It is a sight to behold, a testament to the opulence and grandeur of this place.

As I looked around the closet, I am met with a sight that made me feel both envious and intimidated. Rows upon rows of luxurious clothes are neatly hung on hangers, drawers full of designer underwear and ties, and racks of shoes that looked like they were worth a fortune made of the finest Italian leather, all meticulously arranged to perfection. It was clear that every item was handpicked with the utmost care, each expensive piece bearing the name of a well-known brand that screamed 'I'm a fucking Don'. The scent in the room was unmistakable, a fragrance that I had recalled from memory over and over again, a scent that I could only describe as his signature smell. Years we've been apart, yet here in the flesh, it smells so much better than I remember.

My eyes scan the neatly arranged shirts hanging on the hangers. My gaze lands on a white dress shirt, and I reach out to pluck it from its place. Bringing it to my face, I inhale tentatively, and instantly, a pleasant sense of familiarity washes over me. The scent of the shirt is unmistakably his, and it's even better than I had imagined it to be. The combination of his cologne and his natural scent is intoxicating, and I can't help but take another deep breath to take it all in. The feeling of contentment that washes over me is indescribable, and for a moment, I am transported back to a time when everything felt perfect.

His scent is fucking sexy, heady... creating that deep throb that takes seed in my womb, licking its way through my veins as it begs me to seek out the pleasure my fingers taught me could come from than small little nub nestles at the top of my vagina.

Based on my observation, it appears that Luca has brought me to his bedroom. I find myself wondering why he would have done so and what his intentions are. I'm curious that he has chosen to trap me in this particular location. And I am left with several questions regarding his motives.

Stripping, I place his shirt over my body, enveloping myself in him and stealing his scent to calm my nerves.

As I stand in the centre of the room, I slowly turn in a circle to take in my surroundings once again. The room is familiar now, yet there's a sense of restlessness within me. My eyes catch the sight of a door leading to a patio, and I feel a sudden urge to step outside to feel the fresh air on my skin.

I walk towards the door, hoping to find it unlocked. As I reach for the handle, my heart sinks as I realize it's locked. I look out longingly through the glass panels, wishing I could step outside and bask in the sunlight. The lush greenery beyond the door seems to beckon me, and I can't help but feel trapped inside as a moment of despair electrocutes my mind, memories flooding behind my eyes as I remember those days locked away in isolation.

As I contemplate escaping the room, there is one crucial factor that holds me back—Luca. I cannot help but wonder if he will always harbour ill feelings towards me or if there is a glimmer of hope that I can earn back his trust and reignite the deep love that we once shared.