I flushed with embarrassment and a strange sense of accomplishment. Ridiculous. “Are you angry that I didn’t, you know, swallow? I bet the women you’ve been with so far always did.”

“No, I’m not angry. I won’t lie, I’d love to come in your mouth but if you don’t want that, it’s okay.”

We stepped out of the shower and dried off before we crawled back into bed. I rested my head on Luca’s chest. He turned off the lights, bathing us in darkness. “When your father told you to marry me, what was your reaction?” I murmured. I’d been wondering about it for a while.

Luca’s fingers on my hips paused. “I’d expected it. I knew I’d have to marry for tactical reasons. As future Capo, you can’t let emotions or desires rule any part of your life.”

I was glad for the darkness so Luca couldn’t see my face. He sounded so detached and emotionless. His touches and kisses made me want to believe that maybe he was starting to care for me, but now I wasn’t so sure anymore.

“And what about you?” he asked.

“I was terrified.”

“You were only fifteen. Of course, you were terrified.”

“I was still terrified on the day of our marriage. I’m still not entirely sure you don’t terrify me.”

Luca was silent. “I told you, you have no reason to fear me. I’ll protect and take care of you. I’ll give you anything you want and need.”

Except for one thing: love.

“But the Familia always comes first,” I said lightly. “If you had to kill me to protect the business, you would.”

Luca became rigid, but he didn’t deny it. My father always said there’s only room for one true love in the life of a made man and that’s the mafia.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Gianna managed to get a ticket for a flight two days later. I was brimming with excitement that day. It hadn’t been long since I’d last seen her, but it felt like eternity. It was already getting dark outside when Luca and I pulled up at JFK. I wished Gianna could have gotten a morning or afternoon flight instead.

Since my comment that Luca would kill me in order to protect the Familia, he’d been emotionally withdrawn, not that he’d been an open book even before that. The only way we interacted was at night when Luca pleasured me with his hands and mouth, and I him in turn. Maybe without Gianna’s impending visit, I’d have tried to talk to him or even pleaded him to show me where he worked, instead I’d given him the space he obviously wanted. Luca parked the car and we got out. He didn’t try to take my hand. I didn’t think he was the type of man who held hands, but he touched my lower back as we entered the arrival area of the airport.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay with Gianna living with us for the next few days?”

“Yes. And I promised your father to protect her. It’s easier when she’s living in our apartment.”

“She will provoke you,” I said.

“I can handle a little girl.”

“She’s not that little. She’s barely younger than me.”

“I can handle her.”

“Luca,” I said firmly. “Gianna knows how to push people’s buttons. If you aren’t absolutely sure that you can control yourself, I won’t let her near you.”

Luca’s eyes blazed. He’d been on edge all day. “Don’t worry. I won’t kill her or you in the next few days.”

I took a step back. Where did that come from? Was he angry because of what I’d said? It was the truth; we both knew it.

“Aria!”

I whirled around. Gianna rushed toward me, dropping her trolley on the way. We collided almost painfully, but I clutched her to myself tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered.

She nodded, then pulled back, searching my face. “No visible bruises,” she said loudly, her gaze darting behind me toward Luca. “You only hit places that are covered by clothes?”

I gripped her hand and gave her a warning look.

“Get your luggage,” Luca ordered. “I don’t want to stand here all night.”

Gianna glared at him but retrieved her trolley and returned to us. “A gentleman would have got it for me.”

“A gentleman, yes,” Luca said with a tight smile.

We walked back to our car, my arm linked with Gianna’s. Luca walked a few steps ahead and got behind the steering wheel without a word.

“What’s the matter with him? He’s even more of an asshole than I remember.”

“I think the Russians are giving him trouble.”

“Aren’t they always?” Gianna put her trolley into the trunk of the car before we both sat in the backseat.

Luca raised his eyebrows at me. “I’m not your driver. Get in the front with me.”

I was taken aback but his harshness but I did as he said and sat shotgun. Gianna’s face was scrunched up with anger. “You shouldn’t talk to her like that.”

“She’s my wife. I can do and say to her what I want.”

I frowned. Luca turned to me, meeting my gaze. I couldn’t place the look in his eyes. He turned back to the street.

“How are Lily and Fabi?”

“Annoying as hell. Especially Lily. She doesn’t stop talking about Romero. She’s in love with him.”

I laughed, and even Luca’s lips twitched. I wasn’t sure why but I reached out and put my hand on his leg. His eyes snapped toward me briefly, then he covered my hand with his until he needed it to shift gears again. Gianna’s eyes were attentive as they watched. She’d bombard me with questions the moment we were alone, no doubt.

***

When we stepped into the apartment, the smell of roast lamb and rosemary wafted over to us.

“I told Marianna to prepare a nice dinner,” Luca said. Gianna’s red eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Thank you,” I said.

Luca nodded. “Show your sister to her room and then we can eat.” He was still withdrawn and stiff. I watched him head around the corner toward the kitchen area.

I showed Gianna her guestroom, but she quickly pulled me inside and closed the door. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I told you on the phone. I’m fine.”

“I prefer to hear you say it when I can see your face.”

“I’m not lying to you, Gianna.”

She gripped my hand. “Did he force you to sleep with him?”

“No, he didn’t. And I haven’t.”

Her eyes widened. “But something happened between the two of you. I want details.”

I pulled away. “We need to have dinner now. Marianna will be mad if the food gets cold. We can talk tomorrow when Luca’s busy with business.”

“Tomorrow,” Gianna said firmly.

I opened the door and led her toward the dining area. Her eyes took everything in, then became slits when she saw who else would be having dinner with us: Matteo. He and Luca stood beside the table, discussing something, but stepped apart when they noticed us.

“What’s he doing here?” Gianna said, her nose wrinkled.

Flashing his shark grin, Matteo walked toward her and gripped her hand to kiss it. “Nice to see you again, Gianna.”