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“Are you that naïve?” He stands at the end of the bed with his hands on his hips, staring at me with an expression that suggests he thinks I’m stupid. It's not a nice feeling.
"Is it possible that you really do not understand what's going on here? I asked for Niko's permission, and he outright refused. My notes luring you here, your being here, that's an act of war. We are not living inside some sort of fairytale, Aria. Your brother and I are two very powerful men who don't take kindly to someone else infringing on what's theirs. As far as your brother is concerned, I'm a dead man. And if he sets foot anywhere near me or you, he's a dead man. You do understand this, don't you?"
My body trembles as fear—no, terror—fills me. For a moment, I can’t breathe. It's not that I don't understand the Mafia world, because I do. Mostly.
It's just that I think the rules are different for families. That Niko cared about me enough to want my happiness. That Luca would feel the same.
I begin to believe that Luca is right to think I'm naïve or stupid because I'm realizing that Luca's attention, his desire to marry me, has nothing to do with love and everything to do with power.
I can't do much to help him here in Italy, where he is already the most powerful Don in the country. But I can help him gain a foothold in New York.
My heart cracks, and I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. I’m a pawn for Luca’s ambition.
My voice quavers as I ask, "Do you even care about me?"
He lets out what sounds like an explicative, but it's in Italian so I’m not sure. "I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble to get you here if I didn't care about you. Now that you are here, you've made your choice, and I've staked my claim." He tilts his head to the side and looks as if he's thinking for a moment. Then he moves toward me, crawling on the bed like a prowling cat until I fall back and he's over me, caging me in. He tugs the sheet down, his hand blatantly running down my body, cupping my breast and squeezing it. I gasp, responding even though I don't want to.
"Have I not treated you well, Mio Angelo?"
I give a small nod because it's true.
"I'm prepared to give you the world. To have you by my side and grant your every wish." He’s saying the words every woman wants to hear, but I can tell by the tone of his voice that there are conditions.
"I'm well within my right to make you stay, but just this once, and only this once, I'm going to give you the choice again. It's either me or Niko." His fingers pinch my nipple, making it hard for me to think. It's probably what he wants.
"Why do I have to choose?"
"You know why." He dips his head, his lips wrapping around my nipple, sucking gently, coaxing me into submission. I should fight it, but it feels so good. My hand automatically threads into his hair and pulls him to me, keeping him on my breast.
"You can have a future as the younger sister of a powerful Mafia Don who will hide you away in a gilded cage. Or you can be with me, reign as the queen you are by my side." His lips trail down my body, pushing the sheet further away as he insinuates himself between my thighs.
I know this is wrong. I should stop this, but I arch, offering myself to him. His mouth covers my pussy, and everything but the most delicious sensations he sends through me evaporates. Despite having a mind-blowing orgasm already, within minutes, another one hits me, sending me scattering to the wind.
My breath hasn't yet returned to normal as he backs off the bed and stands, grabbing his tie and wrapping it around his neck. "Think about your choice carefully, Mio Angelo. Should you choose your brother, I will have you on a plane home and you will never see me again. And if you choose me, as I hope you will because I do care about you, it's possible you'll never set foot in New York again."
His piercing, dark eyes watch me for a moment. “I have to go to Rome for a day or two. You have until then to decide.” He grabs his coat and exits the room.
I lie in bed stunned at the turn of events. If he cared for me, wouldn't he want me to be happy and to be able to see my family?
Then again, he’s probably right and Niko will be out for Luca's life. Or Niko will declare me dead to him for running away. That's how stupid this Mafia world can sometimes be.
I let out a frustrated growl and punch the bed. Luca's seduction manipulated me, and I'd allowed it. But that is only because I love him. Despite everything, including my better judgment, by his side is where I want to be.
He's right that by returning to Niko, I will continue to be sheltered, not allowed to live a full life. No doubt, there will be limitations on me with Luca, as well, but he doesn’t see me as something to hide away. He wants to elevate me, make me a part of his life. As much as I love Niko, for my life to move forward, the choice is clear. The choice is Luca.
11
LUCA
I’m a decisive man. To get what I want, I can manipulate seductively or coerce forcefully. I chose the former on Aria, and as I leave her, I feel certain that she'll choose me as her future.
But there's an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. It almost feels like my conscience is chastising me for manipulating her. I push it away as I head downstairs, situating my tie in place and going on the hunt for Roberta.
I find her in the kitchen, conferring with a book. "I'm going to Rome. I hope it will only be for tonight, but it may be more than that. It's your job to keep an eye on Aria. Keep her comfortable and happy, but she's only to leave with Bianca, understood? Have Bianca take her shopping for a wedding dress."
Roberta nods. "Si, Don Conte."
When I return to the foyer, Bruno is waiting. "The car is ready to go to Rome."
