“Okay, it’s your choice, but it’s a choice you made at the Camorra’s suggestion after being told that it’s the best thing for the Camorra, for my future even, and this is a decision you should make for yourself, not for others.” Luca looks a little lost. Clearly, his head and heart are at odds. I know he wants to become Capo, but he doesn’t want me to give up my life to fulfill his destiny.
“Luca, look at me.” I pull his arm, making him finally face me. “I’m not taking this decision lightly; I know my life will change; I know I won’t be studying in London, and I know it will be until the painful end, with no turning back; I know all that. But still, for some reason, I want to walk down the aisle with you waiting for me. I want to spend my life with you, which sounds insane because all this is so recent, but I just feel like this is what I’ve been waiting all my life for. When I agreed to marry you last summer, I would’ve never imagined getting married this early. I would’ve neveraccepted it, but I also never imagined that I could fall in love with you, and here I am, completely and hopelessly in love.”
Luca pulls my body against him, holding my waist possessively. “Hopelessly in love?”
“Hopelessly in love and ready to live a lifetime with you!”
His face looks calmer, and his eyes are fixed on mine. “Howcan someone like you love someone like me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You are pure and kind, Chiara, true perfection; I am a monster, a murderer; many would consider me a psychopath.”
“Unlike many people, I don’t just see the darkness; I can see the light too, and even without it, I would still love you because I love every part of you, Luca, without exception!”
“I kill without remorse; I torture without showing any feelings because few feelings live inside me.”
“Would you hurt me, torture me, or kill me? Would you let them do that to me?”
“Never!” His voice is full of certainty, and he speaks with such ferocity that I have no way of doubting him. I would never hurt you, never. “And I’ll never let anyone else do it; I’ll tear apart anyone who tries.”
“I don’t mind your demons, Luca; we all have them. And I know that in this confusing world, you may not be my Prince Charming, but you will be my dark knight, the one I know is really capable of protecting me and will fight for me.”
“With all my strength, I will take care of you with my life!”
“I know you will!” I stretch my body until I’m on my tiptoes, wrap my arms around his neck, and put my lips to his, feeling that I’m making the right decision, knowing that this is the man I want to live with all my life. I lay my head on his chest, listening to his racing heart. “So, does that mean we’re getting married?”
“Yes, that means we’re getting married.” My face is held by his hand, making me face him. “If you regret it or change your mind, let me know; I can wait until you’re ready.”
I smile in his direction, placing a small kiss on his lips. “My mother will have a fit when she finds out; in fact, I think she’ll try to kill me!” I let out a laugh, looking at my phone, trying to organize my thoughts and prepare what I was going to say to her.
“If you think she could get that upset, why are youlaughing?” His face is confused and amused.
I look at him, feeling a big smile take over my face, I move closer to him, putting his arms around my waist, I bring mine toward his neck and look him in the eye. “What can I do? I think I like danger!” I say with a small shrug, watching his face gradually become possessive.
“You’re going to be the death of me!” I feel his strong, calloused hands come up to my face, caressing it lightly, before claiming my lips for his own.
I go downstairs with Luca in my arms and I feel the eyes of our families on us, the men are drinking whiskey and talking to Lady Milena, while Bella is distracted by something on her phone.
“So, are we going to have a wedding soon?” Lady Milena’s voice is calm, but you can see the tension in her fingers, so I smile and nod in her direction, making her smile with relief.
I feel my brothers’ eyes on me, and I know they want to argue against me. I look at my father, and he seems calm, even though I know that this is not how he feels.
“I want to do it, it’ll be nice to finally come home!” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, my father’s face seemed to soften, as if what he said somehow made everything make sense.
“I don’t want to put pressure on you, but it’s May, so if you agree, Chiara, I’d suggest the end of August for the wedding.”
I see Lorenzo’s hands formed into fists, and I know he’s about to explode; I look at my dad, and he shrugs his shoulders. I feel Luca’s hand on my back and I know that he will support me, whatever my decision.
“There’s very little time left, a lot of things have to be sorted out.”
“If you find the right date, I guarantee that everything will be ready and perfect, with exactly everything you want, from the venue, dresses, flowers, food, everything.” Luca’s mother sayswith a restrained smile on her face.
“I have to talk to my mother and grandmother.” I really want their opinion on everything, and I feel I should tell them about my plans before I decide on the date.
“Completely understandable dear, as soon as you decide I will help you to have everything you want, without exception.”
Chapter 16
