Filed to story: No Escape From The Mafia Kings Embrace
Luca showed me around the inside of the villa. It was beautiful with yellow and green tones on the walls, stained glass lights and late 18th century artwork.
“This place is gorgeous, Luca. What year was it built?”, I asked, looking up into his mesmerizing gray orbs, with pure fascination and curiosity. Luca chuckled, the sound making my heart flutter and butterflies swarm my stomach.
“It was built in 1889, by my great great grandfather. He wanted to leave something that could be passed down for generations”, he explained, pride evident in his eyes and voice. “He definitely did that”, I commented, in complete awe of the home.
“Luca, I’ve never seen a home this beautiful, let alone this big”, I squeaked. He had shown me a game room, two sitting areas, a theater room, and a humongous dining room.
And now he leads me down a grande hall, towards a double set of large oak doors that sat perched at the end of the hall. Luca chuckled as he pushed open one of the doors for me to enter.
I was greeted by a grand ballroom, with a large crystal chandelier that hung from the high vaulted ceilings. “Holy shit”, I uttered, as I spun in a circle, taking in the enormous room.
A smile had stretched across my lips. I felt Luca’s large arm snake my waist, spinning me to face him and then I was pulled flat against his chest. “Can you dance, amore (love)”, his voice was deep, making my heart skip a beat.
I chuckled nervously, “Absolutely not”, I dragged out. Luca busted out laughing with a deep melodic laugh, his head falling backwards as his shoulders lifted with his laugh. My breath hitched, as his laugh sent volts of electricity through me. I could feel his chest vibrate with each howl that left his throat. I placed my hands on his chest, smiling softly at the feeling I get from being around him.
Why do I feel this way? Happy, content, safe and treasured. I feel like he really wants to have a life with me. Why though? My mother sold me to him. Well, she traded me for her debt to be paid, so the same thing, right? Was that his terms or hers? Did he plan to take me as a bride all along? Or was it a surprise for him too?
“If you are worried about being able to dance, I can teach you, my sweet”, his voice was deep and laced with concern. “I bet you could”, I said softly, with a small smile.
“Tell me what’s going through that beautiful mind of yours, then?”, he asked, his breath tickling my ear. “Did you ask my mom for me?”, my voice was small, as a tiny fear began to bubble in my chest.
Luca pulled back and looked over my face, studying my shy appearance. “No. But had she not offered, I would have.”, he answered honestly, tightening his hold on me. My heart began to race rapidly. Why would he want me?
“Why?”, I asked in a whisper. Luca cupped my chin with his fingers and placed his thumb under my lip, lifting my head to look at him. “Because I’ve never met anyone like you before. No woman has been able to catch my attention within seconds of walking through the front door. But you did”, he whispered.
I stared at him speechless. How could I attract his attention? I’m a nobody, from a drug home, who had to work her ass off just to eat. I don’t understand how I could’ve caught his attention.
“Hey”, he whispered, drawing my eyes back to him. “Can I ask you something now?”, his voice was vulnerable as he tilted his head to the side. I nodded softly as I looked at him expectantly. “Why are you not scared of me?”, he uttered.
I shrugged my shoulders and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Should I be?”, I questioned playfully. Luca frowned slightly, “I had men in your house with guns drawn, Marabella”, he muttered, as if he was ashamed of his own words.
“They were never once pointed at me. I was even lent one”, I justified with another shrug. “Mara”, his deep voice was stern, when he squeezed my waist. “It’s hard to explain, Luca.”, I sighed, my bottom lip poking out in a pout. Luca’s thumb rubbed across my lip firmly. “Try”, he commanded.
I sighed and looked down at his chest, only for my chin to be lifted once again. “When my eyes landed on yours last night, I didn’t see hostility or sense danger. In fact, I felt.. safe”, I whispered.
