Luke’s POV"I love you, Luke." Valentino suddenly blurted out.I stare at him in disbelief. I've never heard those words without something in return. I moved my head to the side, avoiding Valentino's gaze. Fear suddenly enveloped me. I tried standing up, pushing Valentino away from me, but Valentino held me in place. "You don't have to say it back. Just know that I do." He told me before placing a kiss on my forehead. "You don't," I said as I look him in the eyes. "You don't love me. Nobody does."Valentino let out a sigh before getting off of the bed. "I'll prepare you a bath." He said before going into the bathroom. I lay on my side, my back facing the bathroom door as tears started to flow down my face. I suddenly felt conflicted. I'm given chance to leave and finally be free or stay with a person who loves me. Both of which I'll never know when I'll have the chance to get. Valentino came back into the room, and I quickly wipe off my tears."I'll carry you to the bath." He told
Third Person POVLuke was settled on the bed with Valentino's arms wrapped around him. Valentino was still awake, stroking Luke's hair as he sleeps. Valentino wasn't going to let anyone take Luke away from him. He knew he had to claim him. His eyes landed on the marks he left on Luke's neck, a smile spreading across his face. Luke was his, and only his. No one else.Valentino slowly pulled away from Luke, pulling the covers over his shoulder. Valentino got out of bed, making sure to not wake up Luke from his sleep. Valentino exited the room and walked into his office. He took the gun out from the drawer and attached the silencer to the end.It was close to three a.m. and Emilio's pacing around the garage, in hopes that Luke will come with him. He wanted to start a new life, tired of all the chaos that comes from being in the mafia. He knew Luke has suffered enough and he doesn't deserve this kind of life, but Emilio has harsh competition. Footsteps echoed around the garage and Emilio
Luke's POVI was sitting beside Valentino as the plane begins to land. Valentino held my hand as I look out the window, enjoying the view as we descend to land. The landscape of Italy was finally coming into view, and I couldn't help but think of what the view would've been if I went with Emilio instead. I know Valentino asked him to come with us to Italy, but he isn't here. I wonder if he pushed through with his plan already."Where's Emilio? I thought he was coming with us?" I asked Valentino as I turn to face him. Valentino faces me before replying. "I haven't seen him since this morning. He might follow us on a later flight."He must've left then. I gave Valentino a nod before turning my gaze back out of the window. The plane finally lands on the runway before coming to a stop. Cars were already lined up near where the plane landed. The pilot announced that we have safely landed, and we can finally get out of the plane. The door opened was opened by Romero and Valentino and I got
Valentino's POVLuke fell asleep on my lap the rest of the way. I laid him back down on the seat with his head resting on my lap. I opened the panel and called out to the driver."Get us some shirts as we reach the mansion," I told him, and he nods, and I closed the panel again.We soon pulled up to the driveway of the main house. The car stopped as the car was parked in the driveway. I looked over to Luke and gently woke him up. Luke stirred for a while before waking up from his sleep. Luke slowly sat up, stretching out his arms as he awoke."Are we here?" He asked."Yeah," I replied.There was a knock on the door, and I opened the window. One of the men handed me two shirts and I hand one over to Luke. He quickly put it on as I put on mine before we exit the car. Luke's mouth gapes open in amazement as he looks over the mansion."This is bigger than where we live." He whispered in amazement."Yeah, this is where I grew up," I told him as I wrap an arm around his waist."I still don'
Luke's POVIt's been two weeks since we landed in Italy, and I've enjoyed every moment of it. Valentino has spent his time touring me around spots in the city, showing me places where he used to play as a kid, and introducing me to people he knew while growing up. I never expected Valentino to treat me this differently once we landed here. I thought I would be under surveillance 24/7, but I was free to leave the house any time I want, alone or not.I was currently in one of the greenhouses in their garden, cutting off the thorns from the roses we picked earlier. Another thing is that I've been spending a lot of time with Valeria. She's been showing me all kinds of flowers that she's growing in the garden. Seeing her, I expected that she would prefer someone else to do the work for her, so it was surprising when I saw her doing all the gardening. These past few weeks felt so ... normal, to say the least. I was genuinely happy, and I felt at home. Something that I thought I could never
Luke’s POVI could feel someone's breath grazing my neck, waking me up from my sleep. I opened my eyes and saw Valentino on my side, his arm around my waist and his head right next to mine. We're currently in our room and Valentino was sound asleep. I contemplated whether to wake him up or not, but he started to stir in his sleep.Valentino woke up from his sleep and pulled me closer to him. "How are you feeling?" He asks."Good," I said as I turn to my side to face him. "I'm sorry about the candy."Valentino let out a chuckle. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll just eat when you're no longer pregnant." He said with a smile spreading on his face.I look at him confused. "No longer pregnant?"Valentino brought his hand up to my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. "One of the resident doctors came and checked you while you were unconscious. You're pregnant." He announced, joy evident in his tone.I didn't feel the same way. I was scared. It wasn't that long since I had my mis
Luke’s POVEver since Valentino mentioned the wedding, his mother went crazy with the planning. I thought my getting married would involve a sweet proposal on top of a hill, but here we are. I couldn't even have a say in my wedding. I didn't even get to properly decide if I wanted to get wed. Every time I would get asked what I want, it was either Valentino or his mother who would answer for me, so I just let them be. I'm currently sitting on a swing in the garden. Valentino's behind me, brushing the tangles out of my hair. "Luke!" Valeria called out to me.I turned my head in Valeria's direction and she was holding a small box in her hands. She walked toward us before pushing the small box into Valentino's hand."Get off the swing, my dear. You're pregnant. A swing is the least safe place where you should be sitting right now." She said before pulling me up from my seat."I'm fine, Valeria. You don't have to worry about me too much." I said to her."Hush. I'm allowed to get worried.
Valentino’s POVLuke has been avoidant for the past couple of days since the incident. I've barely left his side, assisting him in any way I can, but he would refuse me every time and would prefer the nurses assist him instead. It was starting to piss me off. He's currently eating his breakfast. I offered to help him eat, but he just snatched the spoon from my hand and ate on his own. His dominant arm is in a sling, to prevent any movement that might open his stitches. Luke was struggling to keep his other hand steady as he brings it to his mouth. I made the nurses leave earlier much to Luke's dismay so that he'll be forced to get help from me, but that did not work. I sat on a chair beside the bed with my arms crossed in front of my chest. Luke suddenly dropped the spoon, spilling the hot porridge on his lap.Luke hissed in pain as the food landed on him. I immediately stood up from the chair to help him clean up, but he just pushed me away. I snapped and grabbed his wrist with a ti
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