Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
Hence Lukas didn’t count the females as much threat to his position, focusing on his male rivalry instead. Thanks to him being “outnumbered”, his father Daniel tried getting another son, and let’s just say it didn’t work out well. The boy was born with a disability and died years ago.
Scorched by that traumatic experience, Daniel never thought of producing another seed, afraid that it would turn out as the second one. He was afraid that his reputation would be smeared if the news were to spread that he produced a second imbecile son.
…..
But that meant his father turned his full attention on Lukas, making sure he didn’t make any mistake, until now. Daniel would do everything in his power to make sure authority never left their lineage again – even at the expense of his son’s happiness.
“Lukas!” Clara squealed upon noticing his presence and to his surprise, ran up to him and looped her hand around his arm. His gaze narrowed at that gesture, what was she doing?
“Just the man I was looking for, my dearest cousin,” Arthur said, walking up to them.
“Unfortunately, I am not here to entertain you,” Lukas was not in the mood for pleasantries.
Amongst his second cousins, Arthur was the most annoying and competitive as well. Having ascended as the boss, there was a need for the Underboss who would be the second in command of the family. The underboss is usually first in line to become acting boss if the boss is imprisoned, and is also frequently seen as a logical successor.
So far Victor has been performing both roles and soon, Lukas would be expected to appoint one and Arthur already saw himself as a likely candidate.
Unfortunately, there was no other male on their side of the family to take up that role and Lukas was not stupid enough to let the enemies into his chambers. If Arthur were to become an underboss, who knows he – Lukas – might die from an “accident” one day and Arthur becomes the boss.
No wonder his father wanted to marry him off as soon as possible to Clara to produce an heir – and achieve his obsession of becoming of noble descent.
“Seriously, don’t be like this, dear cousin,” Arthur said playfully, placing his hand on his shoulder but Lukas’s gaze was so murderous that he removed his hand quickly. It was so awkward.
“Let’s go,” Lukas ordered Clara, wanting to leave whether she wanted it or not, only for his annoying cousin to block his way.
“What now?” His tone held a warning.
“Why are you leaving so quickly? Come on, you didn’t even introduce me to my sister-in-law?”
At the mention of sister-in-law, Lukas turned sharply to Clara, “You told him?”
Clara rolled her eyes, “Isn’t that the truth? We’d be getting married soon, why hide it?” she tightened her hand around him as if trying to show off her possession.
“Exactly, sister-in-law’s mind and I work together. If the both of you are together, why won’t you show her off unless…” He trailed off insinuatingly.
“Unless what?” Lukas was on the defense, taking a step towards him threateningly. Although Lukas was tall, Arthur was lanky and towered over him yet he was not intimidated. He was confident of taking out his cousin easily if a fight were to occur.
“Don’t be so uptight, it’s not like it’s a crime to be in an arranged marriage, after all, our great grandparents were in one and it turned out to be successful. You would eventually learn to love her, that is if you don’t like her already, right? Wait a minute, tell me you like her?” Arthur tried to empathize with him but Lukas knew he was having fun with this.
“Who says he doesn’t like me?” Clara was offended by that comment, “I’m going to be his wife, why won’t he like me?” She loved to be the center of attraction and didn’t like this unfavorable light.
“Then prove it,” Arthur demanded.
“Prove what?” Lukas growled.
“Kiss her,”
“What?”
“They say a kiss can express sentiments of love, let’s see how much you like her,” Arthur demanded.
Lukas scowled at that idiot, he knew this was a challenge from his cousin but then, he hated people putting him in a tight spot the most and leaving him with no option.
He pulled free from Clara and took another step, saying to Arthur, “I do not need to prove myself to you because you’re not worth one bit of my attention.”
Done, Lukas turned and said to Clara, “Let’s go,” trying to pull her along.
But she slapped his hand away and said in an outburst, “Or maybe you’re not man enough to do it because you’re afraid of losing your heart to me once we kissed!”
He Was Sorry
That comment was a huge slap on his face. Everything Clara has done to him, Lukas was able to endure and move on but he had never felt this insulted until now.
As someone who had been with many women and could boast of his ability to bring a woman to orgasm, it was a huge blow to his pride. Plus men were egotistical creatures, not to mention that Arthur currently smirking at him irked him, greatly.
“What did you just say?” Lukas asked in a dangerously low tone. His fists were clutched by the side which was the only sign of anger he showed because his expression was apathetic; he was completely void of emotion.
Lukas was angry, Clara could see that, considering that she couldn’t tell what was going on in his mind with his blank face. However, she knows him well enough to know that below that calm demeanor, there was a burning inferno.
Clara was supposed to be scared, but what gave her confidence was the fact that Lukas wouldn’t be able to harm her, not in the open and not with his father’s around. Yeah, he still has a leash around his neck.
“Isn’t it the truth?” Clara retorted, “You’re just scared of losing your heart to me. If you believe otherwise, then kiss me, and let’s see,” She was confident.
It had to make sense, why he was always intent on not coming close to her. Clara knew there was no woman in his life and if it wasn’t for the fact she was betrothed to him, Lukas would likely never get married. He would simply get an heir from a baby mama and be done with women!
That must be why he hates her, Clara thought. She’s in love with Luther when she’s supposed to be his fiancée. Clara heard men were possessive with their things whether they liked it or not. No wonder Lukas loathes her, because he can never win her heart nor does he know what it is like to be in love. Quite a pathetic life he lived so far.
If only he was half as refined as Luther, Clara would have considered giving him a chance. Even at that, the thought of having two men – Luther and Lukas – veer for her attention thrilled her. It wouldn’t be bad if that were to happen. After all, Lukas would be her husband in the future and she would have no choice but to dump Luther.
…..
Lukas in question narrowed his gaze at Clara, scrutinizing her thoroughly. If it wasn’t that the both of them were like Cat and mouse, he would have thought Clara was desperate for his affection. However, she loathed him and doesn’t bother to hide it, so this must be a sincere challenge – a challenge that would have thrilled him if she was Rhea.
Damn.
Remembering Rhea did nothing but fill him with guilt once more. However, Lukas had to remind himself that he did his job of protecting his family and it was for her protection as well. There was nothing to feel responsible for, it happened the way it should be in the first place.
“Dear cousin,” He heard Arthur’s mocking voice once again, “Don’t tell me you’re this much scared of a kiss. Just think of it as giving us a good show,” He chuckled.
Although their little drama did not gather a crowd, people’s eyes and whispers were already on them and they were now interested in the outcome.
Fine, they wanted a good show, he would give them one. Lukas decided as he stomped over to Clara who straightened up immediately. She was confident of beating him in that kiss; she would bring him down to his knees.
This was really happening, Clara couldn’t help but be thrilled. Never did she think that she would anticipate Lukas’s kiss – she was always disgusted by the mere sight of him. What changed?
But to everyone’s surprise, as soon as Lukas came close, he reached out and grabbed a fistful of Clara’s hair forcing her head to the side while a pained whimper left her lips. She almost cried.
“W-what are you doing?” Even Arthur was dumbfounded by the scene. He was expecting a sweet kiss that he could use to make jest of Lukas later, not an assault in broad daylight. What was his cousin even thinking? Doesn’t he know the family Clara is from?