Luke's POVThe sound of a gunshot pulled me out of unconsciousness. I felt my head against someone's lap, so I stood still, not wanting to alarm them. I then felt my head fall back on the bed. I lay there as I try to keep my breathing steady, not knowing what to do next. I then heard two men fighting, feeling that they might be distracted, I started to untie my hands from the ropes that bound me. I remember the tricks that Emilio taught me and start to unravel the ropes.I started to hear nothing but the rapid beating of my heart. I can hear two men fighting and grunts and screams of pain surrounding the room, but I ignored them as I desperately tried to free myself. My eyes shot open as the ropes that bound my hand started to come loose. My eyes adjusted to the room and saw Valentino and my father fighting. My whole body froze as I saw Valentino's shirt which was stained with blood. I tried to focus again and brought my legs up, untying the ropes on my leg. My hands start to shake,
Luke’s POVI later woke up and slowly climbed out of my bed. I decided to take a shower, so I entered the bathroom. I took off my soiled clothes and threw them straight into the trash. I walked into the shower and let the water wash over me. I hissed in pain as the water ran down my backside. I froze in place as soon as I realized where the pain has come from. A memory of Vic on top of me suddenly flashed in my head.I fell to the floor and let out a cry of pain. I lay on the floor in a fetal position, wishing that the water would drown me. I sobbed into my knees, letting out all the pain that I'd held onto for years. I cried and cried until no tears came out of my eyes anymore. The water started to run cold, and my fingers are already pruned. I forced myself to stand up and turned off the water. I grabbed the towel and dried myself off.I suddenly felt numb. I looked over to the mirror and saw my eyes were swollen and bloodshot. I walked out of the bathroom and went over to my closet
Luke’s POVI was later woken up by Alex, bringing in some dinner. He placed the food on the bed tray and moved to wake Luke up, but I stopped him. I want to let Luke get as much sleep as he can. Alex helped me sit up, placing pillows on my back to support me. Luke was still lying beside me, hugging a pillow."I'll come back for the dishes later," Alex said before leaving the room.I started eating the food in front of me, looking over at Luke once in a while. He looked peaceful while sleeping. He then woke up and quickly sat up beside me."You should've woken me up. I could've helped you eat." He said as he takes the fork from my hand."You looked like you needed the rest," I told him, and he replied with a shrug.He stabbed the food with the fork and brought it up to my mouth. I took the food and kissed his cheek as a thank you. Luke's face turned beet red, and he diverted his attention to the food, cutting up the already-cut pieces."Why did you save me?" Luke asked in a barely audi
Luke's POVI was back in my room, laying on my bed with my gaze stuck to the wall. I feel numb. I couldn't believe what was on the screen and I refuse to believe it. If I am truly pregnant with a child, there is no doubt who the father is. I felt Valentino's hand against my back, but I pulled away, not wanting any sense of pity from anyone.I felt the bed dip behind me and felt Valentino's arms wrap around mine. I tried to get out of his grip, but he only tightened his hold around me. I gave up trying to remove him from me, so I just let out a sigh and relaxed against him. We lay there in silence for a while. I grabbed his hand, tucking it under my shirt. I felt Valentino tense behind me, but I continued. I guided one of his fingers as I trace one of the scars along my stomach. I let go of his hand as he started tracing the scar, feeling it under his skin. I lifted my shirt to my chest and turned to face the ceiling. Valentino's eyes roamed all over my torso and his eyes landed on my
Luke's POVCurrently sitting down on one of the barstools, I watch as Valentino moves around the kitchen as he makes lunch for both of us. I was starting to feel impatient, not because I was hungry, it was because I was missing Valentino's warmth. I stood up and went beside Valentino, looking over his shoulder."What's that?" I asked him."Chicken Alfredo." He flatly said, making me look at him in confusion.I decided to just step back and return to my seat, not wanting to bother Valentino anymore. I took a seat and rested my head on the countertop, not knowing what to do as Valentino cooks. Soon enough, Valentino places a plate in front, making me sit up immediately. I immediately grabbed the fork and started eating. I then realized that it was rude of me to start eating without waiting for Valentino, so I look over at him as he takes a seat. I noticed that there was only one plate in front of us."You're not eating?" I asked him."No." He replied."But you haven't eaten all day," I
Valentino's POVDr. Silvano alerted me about Luke's condition, so I immediately drove back home. I left the mansion, not wanting to see Luke go through the pain, but I only did what I had to do. I went straight to the medical wing as soon as I reached the mansion. Dr. Silvano greeted me as soon as I go there."Did it work?" I asked her."Yes." Dr. Silvano replied. I was about to go into his room, but Dr. Silvano stopped me. "This was wrong Val; we shouldn't have done this." I ignored what she said and pushed past her and into Luke's room. He was laying on the bed with tear streaks staining his face. I sat on the space beside him before running my hand through his hair. My heart clenched seeing him in this state, but I tried to push the feeling away. I leaned down, placing a kiss on his forehead. Luke stirred under me and slowly opened his eyes."Val." He whispered and I gave him a small smile. Tears started flowing down his face, so I pulled him into my lap and cradled him as he sob
Luke's POVIt's been a few days since I lost my baby and since then I've moved into Valentino's room. I've always slept beside him anyway, so it just made sense that I move into his room. I'm currently arranging my toiletries in the bathroom. I opened the cupboard and moved Val's toiletries to the side to make space for mine. As I moved the bottle, I noticed a small plastic pouch behind it. Inside was pills, it was the same as the bright pink pill that I took with the vitamins that Valentino gave me. I took the small plastic pouch and inspected it. My brows furrowed as I inspected the small bag of pills. Why would it be hidden in here if it was my vitamins? I swallowed dryly as my heart started beating rapidly in my chest. I quickly pocketed the pills and placed my toiletries in the cupboard and closed the door.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I'm growing suspicious that it was what caused my miscarriage. I decided to ask Dr. Silvano about it. I exited the bathroom; I wa
Valentino's POVLuke's settled in between my legs with his back pressed against my chest. We were back in my room after the earlier events. Luke was playing with my hand, tracing the outline of my tattoos. I knew I had to do something with Dr. Silvano, I can't let her tell Luke the truth. I knew Luke would believe me, no matter what I say. For now, Luke's convinced I have nothing to do with it. Given that people around us are already aware of what Luke means to me, it's easy to put the blame on someone else.Luke twisted his body as he started placing kisses all over my neck. I grabbed the back of his neck and placed my lips on his. Luke quickly wrapped his arms around my neck as he turns around to straddle me, kissing me back. I placed one of my hands on his waist, pulling him closer to me. I slowly pulled away, trailing small kisses from his jaw to the base of his neck. I took the skin in between my teeth, nibbling gently on the skin. Luke let out a moan, pushing his hips towards m
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