Valentino's POVIt's been hours since I last heard from Emilio after he went out with Luke. I paced around my office as I tried calling Emilio once again. The doors then burst open with a panic-stricken Emilio emerging from the other side. "Luke's gone," Emilio said to me in a panic."What the fuck do you mean he's gone?!" I shouted as I strode over to him. "Where the fuck is he?" I said, glaring down at Emilio."I don't know! I was looking around the stalls and when I called for Luke he was gone." Emilio tried to explain.I could no longer contain my anger. I held Emilio by his collar and delivered a punch to his face, feeling the bones crunch underneath. I let go of his collar, making him fall to the floor with a pained grunt. "You broke my fucking nose!" Emilio shouted at me, making him earn a kick to the stomach. Emilio let out a loud grunt as Romero enters my office due to the commotion."You had one fucking job, Emilio," I said, pulling out the gun from my waistband.Romero qu
Valentino's POVOne of the office phones started ringing. I nodded to Vic to take note of the call. I picked up the phone to answer."Antonio.""Ah. That didn't take you long. I was going to play around with you a bit." Antonio said before bursting out into laughter. It made me want to reach out through the phone and strangle him right then and there."I'm giving you until the end of the day to give Luke back." I said to him."Or what? That gives me a lot of time to play with him. We missed our little princess!" Antonio said through the phone.This motherfucker was really testing me. For someone who has so little power, this man has a lot of fucking balls. "Try and touch him, and I'll make sure that there will no trace of you left behind."Antonio let out the most obnoxious laugh I've ever fucking heard in my entire life. I clenched the phone in my hands, making my knuckles turn white. I looked over to Vic and he gave me thumbs up so I wasted no time in slamming the phone down."Let's
Valentino's POVIt's been a few weeks since we rescued Luke from the hands of Antonio. Ever since the incident, Luke has barely talked to anyone, only uttering a word or two if needed. His routine has been the same, wake up, eat, train, eat, rest, eat, and sleep. He has been insistent on his training for the past few weeks, never missing a day. I've suggested that he should be assessed by a therapist, but that conversation didn't go too well. He kept insisting that he was fine, but I highly doubt he is.I'm currently sitting in a chair in the basement cell with Antonio tied up in front of me. His arms were chained to the ceiling his feet barely touching the floor. His head was down as blood dripped down his head. I've kept him here, barely keeping him alive, using him as something to lash out my anger towards. Cuts and bruises covered his body, much like he did to Luke. I've had Alex come here once in a while to tend to his wounds, letting him recover for a few days before repeating t
Luke's POVI took a deep breath as I finished my boxing rounds. I was drenched in sweat as I have been training for a few hours now. I quickly removed my gloves and unraveled the wraps on my hand. Emilio walked towards me as I wipe the sweat off of my face."Talked to Val yet?" Emilio asked and I just ignored him.Emilio let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "You can't just ignore everyone after what happened Luke." He said before walking away.I dropped the towel and made my way to the kitchen. Grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, I opened it and chugged the water down. As I placed down the water bottle, Valentino entered the kitchen, covered in blood. I can only assume he came from the basement. He took a seat from across me and rested his elbows against the countertop with his hands clasped. He then laid his forehead against his hands and there was a silence that surrounded that for a while.I contemplated whether this is the right time for me to talk to him. I've alw
Luke’s POVI stirred in my sleep as I felt myself being lifted off of the ground. I opened my eyes and saw Emilio was carrying me. I didn't bother budging and closed my eyes once again and leaned against Emilio."You're awake, aren't you?" Emilio asked with amusement in his voice as I heard the door open and close. I just hummed in response and Emilio let out a chuckle, his chest vibrating against my head.We soon reached, what I'm guessing is my room as Emilio pushed my door open and laid me down on the bed. Emilio placed the covers over me and I heard his footsteps moving away from me and my door closing. I quickly shot up from my bed, not wanting Emilio to leave me alone. "Wait!" I shouted. Emilio turned back and faced me. "Can you stay? For a while?" I asked him and he gave me a nod before closing the door behind him. I patted the space beside me, and Emilio took his shoes off before climbing onto the bed beside me. Emilio was the only person I'd been comfortable with since the
Luke’s POV"What the fuck are you doing?!"Emilio quickly scrambled to get off of me as I attempt to cover myself. Emilio grabs his pants and frantically puts them on. "Close the fucking door, Romero!" Emilio shouted. My heart started beating frantically out of my chest. I pulled the covers over me, closing my eyes as I take deep steady breaths in an attempt to calm myself down."Are you fucking serious, Emilio? Valentino's already in a bad mood since this morning and this is what you're doing?!" Romero shouted in exasperation. Emilio didn't say anything, so Romero continued. "What do you think Val's going to do to you if he's the one who saw this?""I didn't force Luke to do anything." Emilio defended."That wasn't the point, Emilio!" Romero shouted; frustration evident in his voice.I was starting to get annoyed that they were talking as if I wasn't there in the room. I hastily pulled the covers off of me, retaining the covers on the parts that is not needed to be seen."What are
Valentino's POVI grabbed Luke's hand and led him out of the basement. Slitting Antonio's throat helped me let out some anger I'm feeling toward Luke. I know he lied about what he and Emilio did. I had to keep my calm or else I would be pushing him right into Emilio's arms. We reached the kitchen, and I sat Luke down on the bar stool."What do you want to eat?" I asked him.Luke kept his gaze on the countertop as he fiddles with his hands. The thought of him being in bed with Emilio suddenly crossed my mind, making me grip the edges of the countertop in anger. I snapped out of it when Luke finally told me what he wanted to eat."I want mac and cheese," Luke told me."Okay," I replied and start moving around the kitchen to gather ingredients."You're cooking?" Luke asked behind me."Yeah. I cook whenever I can." I told him as I prepare the ingredients on the counter."You didn't seem like the type." He replied.I pause for a moment and turn around to face him. "What do you mean by that
Luke’s POVI woke up the next day with a knock on my door. I stood up from the bed to open the door. Apparently, whoever was knocking has little patience as the door opened as I was halfway through the room. It was Romero. I need to get into the habit of locking my door. "Hey." I greeted him."Emilio's leaving. Want to send him off?" Romero asked. "Okay. Just give me a minute." I replied and Romero gave me a nod before leaving my room. I walked to my closet and grabbed a loose-knit sweater. I pulled it over my head and fixed my ponytail. I went out of my room and found Romero waiting out of my door. He gave me a nod before walking away, with me trailing behind him."Where's Valentino?" I asked him."He hasn't woken up yet," Romero replied and I hummed in response.We walked out of the house and onto the driveway where Emilio was saying goodbye to a few other men. I felt some of them eyeing me, but I ignored them. Emilio catches my eyes, and he gave me a small wave, I gave him a sma
It's been two months since the incident and peace has been maintained since then. The Japanese mafia moved their main house to a gated community near the city after it was destroyed. Luke has fully recovered from his gunshot wound and Romero was granted citizenship, or faked rather, by Haru so he can stay in Japan without hiding anymore. He has also become Alessandra's personal bodyguard or babysitter.Luke and Alessandra are now living in Haru's personal home. Luke has also decided to homeschool Alessandra for now. Valentino remained true to his words and remained in contact with Luke for the sake of Alessandra. Alessandra seemed to have recovered well from the past events, seeing how she was bubbly and full of life. "Valentino's going to be here in a few hours," Luke said, worry evident in his voice. "How's Alessandra?" Haru asked."She's fine. She's actually quite excited to see him. It surprised me," Luke said. "I guess she still sees him as her father."Haru pulled Luke close a
"I want you to promise me something," Luke said as he wrapped his hand around the knife. "What are you doing?" Valentino said, barely above a whisper."Promise me something Valentino, please," Luke pleaded. "I don't want you to die, I can't. Because for some fucked up reason, part of me still loves you."Valentino weakly grabbed Luke's free hand. "That's a good thing to hear before I die," Valentino weakly chuckled, blood spurting out of his mouth."Valentino, please, promise me, you'll let me and Alessandra stay here. Please, I just want a normal life. As normal as I can have it, please let me stay," Luke said.Valentino didn't answer, he didn't know what to say. He could only let the tears flow down his face. When he still didn't answer, Luke slowly moved the knife and Valentino quickly grabbed his hand to stop him from moving it further. "I'll let you stay. I promise. I'll let you stay. As long as you won't keep Alessandra from me. I still want to see her from time to time," Vale
Haru was rounding up his men in the main house as they anticipated the attack of the Italians. As Haru was distributing the firearms among his men, an explosion sounded from the left side of the main house, shaking the grounds of the mansion. Haru cursed under his breath as he and his men split to search for more explosives planted around the house. The others went to search for wounded men.Haru pulled out his gun as he entered the living room. One of the men was holding a detonator. Haru aimed his gun at the man and warned him to put the detonator down."Put the detonator down!" Haru shouted at the man in front of him. The man only gave him a sinister smile before pressing the button, detonating the bomb. The explosion sent Haru flying across the room as rubble fell from the ceiling. Haru groaned in pain as he tried to stand up from the ground. He tried calling for his men, but another explosion shook the house. "Shit!" Haru cursed.Haru then ran to the exit as the ground shook ar
"Buenos dias, Valeria. I see you finally take over again. I'm surprised you even let your son rule for that long," Damaso said as he took a long drag from his cigar."So you're the only one who showed up huh," Valeria said as she leaned back on her chair."Yes. The British could not give a shit about this. The Greeks are probably siding with the Japanese. I don't understand why they would do that. They're both weak. Even if you combine both their manpower," Damaso exclaimed."We need firepower. We'll give them back and grab some from the Japanese once we defeat them," Valeria said."So what's your plan?" he asked."Simple, I have moles in their mafia for a long fucking time now. I'm telling you, I thought I was going to get nothing out of it, but now I've proven that I didn't waste my time on planting them," Valeria said with pride in her voice."What are the moles going to do then?" Damaso asked."Plant some bombs and once they're detonated, we'll sweep out the rest. It wouldn't be t
"What is happening?" A little voice said while looking at the gun pointed at her dad's head.Luke could no longer hold back the tears from running down his face. He desperately tried to cover his sobs. Valeria didn't bother to put her gun down as she faced the little girl."Hey, sweetheart. We're just sending your daddy back where he belongs," she said."Mother put the gun down. Alessandra could see it," Valentino said to his mother through gritted teeth."Oh shush. You saw a gun when you were three and killed someone when you were six. She'll be fine," Valeria said.Alessandra then realized what was happening and ran to her dad. Haru took this opportunity to grab both Luke and Alessandra and hid them behind his back."Don't let them hurt us, please," Alessandra cried.Valentino cursed under his breath and glared at his mother. Valeria only rolled her eyes. Valentino slowly approached Alessandra and crouched in front of her. Alessandra hid further behind Haru."Come to me, Alessandra.
"We had a truce, Valentino. For decades no one dared to turn their back on that truce. Not even you. I was wondering why all of a sudden you do something that you know will initiate a war," Haru said while maintaining a calm composure."I didn't like how she was pushing Luke away from me," Valentino said."Luke's not your property. He's an adult who can decide for himself which is something your small little brain apparently can't comprehend," Haru mocked.Valentino clenched his fists beside him. He wanted to punch Haru in the face, but they were in public and if he did, any talk of reforming the truce would be nonexistent."Why don't we have lunch together? It seems like you have already started so let me just join you," Haru said, walking past Valentino.He took the seat between Luke and Alessandra and gave Alessandra a small smile."I'm sorry for hurting you last time," Alessandra apologized."It's okay. I understand you were going through some big emotions. We can always learn how
Valentino rushed inside the house and immediately went to check on Luke. He walked into the dining area where Luke was helping Alessandra eat her breakfast."Luke," Valentino called out as he approached Luke.Luke looked up at him as Valentino inspected the wound on his neck."Are you feeling okay?" Valentino asked.Luke pulled Valentino near him to whisper in his ear. "We'll talk later," he said and then pointed his eyes over at Alessandra. Valentino nodded before taking a seat beside Alessandra. Alessandra cut her pancakes and offered them to Valentino. He graciously took the piece into his mouth and Alessandra gave him a delighted smile."You like your breakfast?" Valentino asked."Yes, but I would prefer more strawberries," Alessandra replied.Luke smiled at his little girl. He was glad she hadn't noticed the wound on his neck despite the visible bandage on it and he plans to keep it that way. Once Alessandra was done, Elisse came into the room and took her dishes away."Elisse,
Luke woke up the next day with sensations along his neck. He opened his eyes and saw Valentino on top of him, kissing and sucking the skin on his neck. Luke froze as he realized what Valentino was doing. Valentino noticed this so he lifted up his head and smiled down at Luke."Good morning," he greeted before kissing Luke on the lips. Luke kept his gaze away from Valentino as he caressed his cheek with his thumb. Valentino leaned down and kissed Luke on the cheek before going down on his neck again. Valentino left one last mark on his neck before getting off of Luke."You look even more beautiful in that gown in the daylight," Valentino said.Luke slowly sat up on the bed before getting off, but Valentino grabbed his arm. "Let's shower together. I want to see you again," Valentino said.Luke didn't answer but it was enough for a yes for Valentino. He got off the bed and pulled Luke to the bathroom. Luke stood with his back to Valentino as he took off his clothes. Valentino then wen
Night came and Romero was being prepared to leave. Two men were assisting him, running him through his papers and where his family is currently located. Romero sighed in nervousness as he took the papers and the bag filled with clothes and money. They also showed him that his records are now finally clean and the mafia will no longer come after him. Romero can't do anything else but trust Valentino in this.They walk up the stairs out of the basement with the two men guarding Romero. Once they reach the upper floor, Romero is met with Luke. Luke was carrying Alessandra in his arms and once he turned, his eyes met with Romero. Romero gave him a reassuring smile, telling him that he was going to be okay before being dragged off. Luke tried following him, but Valentino grabbed his arm to stop him. "Romero!" Luke called out."I'll be fine, Luke. Goodbye," Romero said as he was being escorted out."What are you going to do to him?" Luke asked Valentino."He's going home to his family," Va