"We are?" he repeated, searching her eyes for confirmation.
"Yes... we are," she said softly.
A burst of laughter escaped him. Relief and happiness flooded his features, dissolving the tension he had carried for days.
He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, capturing her lips in a bruising, passionate kiss. The intensity of it conveyed everything words could not—gratitude, love, and a profound sense of hope. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, his eyes shining.
"We are trying for a baby!" he exclaimed, still laughing in disbelief. He kissed her again, softer this time but no less meaningful. "God, I love you."
Vee smiled against his lips, her hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders.
"What do you need?" Luca asked, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Want me to fuck you all day?"
"I think just once is enough," Vee laughed, her voice light and teasing as she traced her fingers along Luca’s chest.
"Maybe twice for good measure," he replied with a mischievous grin, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. He bent low, pressing kisses along the curve of her neck. His fingers moved deftly to the strings of her robe, untangling them. The fabric slipped. Beneath it, she was completely naked.
Luca paused for a moment, drinking in the sight of her, his gaze filled with desire. "Fuck me..." he whispered reverently before lowering his lips to her skin once more, his hands roaming gently along her body.
Then, a distant murmur that didn’t quite belong to the quiet rhythm of the morning stilled him. His senses sharpening instantly. Years of living in constant danger had honed his instincts to a razor’s edge. The murmur grew louder, morphing into a building ruckus from outside the house.
Too many voices at once. Luca’s head snapped up, every muscle in his body tensing. The softness in his expression vanished, replaced by cold, alert focus. He listened intently, his ears straining to decipher the sounds.
"Luca?" Vee called as she pushed herself upright, quickly pulling the robe around her and tying it closed.
Luca swung his legs off the bed and moved swiftly toward the window. He parted the curtains slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening outside. From this angle, his view was limited—only fragments of movement but the noise confirmed his suspicions. Something was very wrong.
"Stay here," he instructed.
Vee’s heart pounded as she watched him cross the room. He moved to the closet and opened it. From it, he retrieved both of his handguns, checking them.
"Luca, what’s happening?" Vee asked, her voice laced with anxiety.
"I don’t know yet," he admitted. His gaze returned briefly to her. "But we’re about to find out."
"Three," Luca continued, his voice calm and lethal as he kept counting, the barrel of his gun unwavering. The men on the other side of the gate exchanged confused glances, clearly wondering what had happened to "two."
"Julian says Miss Scalese is the traitor," the man finally blurted out, his voice strained with urgency. "And he has ordered that she be transported to Italy."
The words struck Luca with the force of a physical blow. Understanding dawned with chilling clarity.
So that was it. Bravo, Julian. Bravo, Bianca. Wow. Just wow. Luca thought to himself, a bitter admiration surfacing beneath his fury. The patience required for such a scheme, the meticulous planning, the careful manipulation—it was exceptionally executed. They had crafted a wonderful narrative. It was ruthless, calculated, and undeniably effective.
"Luciano?" the man called hesitantly, misinterpreting Luca’s silence as uncertainty.
Luca’s gaze snapped back to him. "You come here...to my house—"
"I didn’t know this is your house," the man interrupted nervously. "All Julian said is Miss Scalese is your mistress and...."
The interruption proved to be a fatal mistake.

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