Luciano
I watch as her head turns in my direction, and she doesn’t nothing to hide her fear. She grabs for Luca’s arm and Tony places another on the small of her back. I walk slowly, giving her time to adjust to the idea of trusting me to be in her space. The last time I was in her space I knocked her out and handed her over to die. I understand I need to take whatever she will give me. I make my way over to the picnic rug they’re sitting on and slowly lower myself to the ground in front of them. I can’t remember the last time I sat on the ground with my legs crossed like this. It feels unnatural.
“Angel…” I practically whisper out. Her electric blue eyes connect with mine and my heart fucking shatters. I couldn’t care less about Tony and Luca watching me as I fucking cry. I’ve wanted to badly to stare into those eyes for weeks now. I take a moment to look her over, the cuts, the broken bones, the bruises. She sits with both her casted legs in front of her, one of her splinted hands rests under Luca’s and the other on Tony’s knee. She’s grounding herself with them. They both catch my eyes on their connecting bodies, and it looks like Luca might remove his, but I give him a small shake of my head and a half smile to let him know it’s okay. She needs them.
“Angel, I am so sorry. So fucking sorry, I fucked up. 1 promised you I would listen, and I didn’t. I did this to you…and I understand if you never want to have anything to do with me again. It would continue to break my fucking heart, but I would understand, and I will continue to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for this mistake.” My heart is beating out of my chest. I’m putting it out there, I need her to know.
Luciano…what you did, I am not sure 1
I can ever forget that, but maybe in time I might be able to forgive you. I can understand what you were thinking when I told you he was my father. I just wish you would have kept your promise and listened to me before punching me in the face.”
He words make me flinch. Tony moves closer to her. Show his support and she pats his knee in a way that says thank you.
can have
“I swear on everything that I have, and everything that I am angel, that I will listen to anything you have to say from here on. everything I own; 1 will give it all to you and ask for nothing in return other than that you please don’t push me out of your life. I need the air that you breath to survive…Please.”
“I don’t want your things, Luciano, and I’m not ready to leave.” She looks at Tony and then at Luca and they both visibly pale and look at me. “I…I am finding comfort with Tony and Luca, and I would like to stay for now.”
I nod at her, understanding what she’s trying not to say. She likes them…and needs them. I let out a breath I was holding. She wants to stay.
That’s a start.
“Will you have dinner with me in the dining hall? All of you, 1 mean.”
They both look at Ariana, waiting for her to respond first.
“Okay.” That’s all she gives me but fuck that’s all I need. Just a few more minutes with her in a day.
Luca
Tony helps Ariana back to her room for a nap before dinner. Leaving me with Luciano on a bloody picnic rug. Ha! I wish I could get a picture of this. He helps me clean upland we’re in the kitchen putting things away.
“That went well.” I say trying to lighten the mood. He’s been awfully quiet.
“Do you like her, Luca?”
Fuck! I drop a plate I was holding and turn to face him, waiting for a bullet in my head that doesn’t come.
“L..uh.Don_.”
He puts his hands up to silence me.
“Luca, look, you’re one of my best friends and you and Tony have been there for me in some of my worst times, and now, for her in hers. I caused all of this, and you guys have been picking up the pieces and helping her in ways I couldn’t. I’ve seen how she is with you; she cares for you both and needs you guys. I would understand if you fell for her, How could you not? She’s enchanting. I just, fuck man, I just don’t want things to
come between us.”
“Luciano…brother, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was just as taken by her as you were that first night in the club, but I swore to myself that I
Chapter 41
would respect what she was to you. After everything happened and you asked us to help her, well I just couldn’t deny what was always there, and then she needed me in a way that no one else ever has. I don’t just like her, I love her. You can beat the shit out of me if you want, but I can’t stop those feelings…”
“I know. I get it…and i figure Tony feels the same?”
“Tony might be even more protective of her than you and I combined.” I laugh and rub the back of my neck awkwardly.
“Good.” Good? The fuck is happening right now? He lets out a long sigh and sits on the stool on the counter. I follow him and giving him my full attention.
“Whatever she wants in this life, Luca, I want her to have. If she wants the two of you then I’m not going to stand in the way. I could only hope and pray that maybe one day she might want me again too, but even if she doesn’t, I know she would be safe and happy with you both and that’s what she deserves.”
1 gulp and wrap my arm around his shoulder. He really does love her if he’s willing to let his friends make her happy.
“We will get through this together, okay, brother? If she can be with two mafia guys at once, then who’s to say she won’t also take back the Don who punched her in the face? Trying for a little light humour…Oh there it is! A smile, yes!
“This might just be the most fucked up reverse harem“, he shakes his head and chuckles.
“Hey! This could be a perfectly beautiful reverse harem, thank you! We just need to get her to admit to liking one or all of us first.
Yep, shits about to get weird and serious, but fuck, I won’t pass up the opportunity to love her, especially now Luciano has basically given his blessing. Game on.
