27. Luca

Itake a deep breath, my heart pounding as I stand on the tarmac, waiting for any sign of Aria. I check my watch. In a moment, I'll have to board the plane if we're to leave on time. I'm torn about returning to Italy so quickly. But the call from Bruno telling me some of Sabini's men attacked one of my clubs means I'm needed home. A part of me wants to say fuck it and just stay in New York. Another part of me knows that doing so might put more strain on all of us. Aria is clear that she doesn't belong to me or Niko. So, she needs to make her choice again. I recall her annoyance at me as I left and wonder if I've played this all wrong.

Why can't Niko see my love for her? My meeting with Niko had been tense, as I damn near pleaded with him to give us his blessing. Instead, he toyed with his gun, as if that would scare me away. Perhaps others would be scared. He's Il Soldato della Morte, after all. But I know that if he killed me, he"d also kill Aria's love for him. I knew he knew it too.

But then Bruno's call came in and I was forced to make plans to return home. I second guess my decision to leave Aria a note instead of calling her directly. At the time, I wanted to remind her of the sweet romance we have. But as I wait, my watch ticking closer to six, I think I should have called. Or maybe she's changed her mind. Maybe she"s tired of all this drama and angst.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes with a notification. It"s a text from Aria, and my breath catches in my throat. I quickly open it, my eyes scanning a photo of a note.

I'm coming.

Relief floods through me, and a smile tugs at my lips. She"s coming. She still wants to be with me.

The pilot approaches, informing me that we need to depart soon. I nod, my gaze fixed on the private entrance to the airport. Seconds feel like hours as I stand there, praying that she"ll make it in time. I could postpone the flight, although the pilot already told me a delay could mean not leaving until tomorrow. I really need to get home to stop Sabini's men from burning my business to the ground.

A car zooms in, flying toward the plane and screeching to a halt nearby. Immediately, I'm on high alert at the aggressive approach. I wonder if Aria"s note is a ruse. Maybe Niko sent it and this is an ambush, after all.

Instinctively, I reach for my gun, prepared for whatever he might bring.

The back passenger door opens and Aria jumps out, rushing to me. I release my gun just as she flings herself into my arms. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly. Her familiar scent and the warmth of her body instantly calms the anxiety I felt moments ago. I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me.

I see Niko exit the car and move toward us. Again, I tense for what might happen. Niko"s expression is unreadable, and I brace myself for the worst.

"Luca," Niko says, his voice level.

I glance down at Aria, searching her face for any sign of fear or distress. But she only looks up at me with hopeful eyes, her grip on me tightening. Sensing her reassurance, I nod and turn my attention to Niko.

"Niko."

He studies me. "Take care of my sister."

"I'm not a child," she complains.

I nod, knowing that by agreeing to take care of her when she doesn't want a caretaker would annoy her, but I want to acknowledge what Niko wants from me.

"Niko realizes what an overbearing, controlling asshole he's been."

My lips twitch upward. "Is that so?"

Niko grinds his teeth. "I want her to be happy. If that's with you, then… I give my blessing."

I"m speechless, my mind racing to process this unexpected turn of events. Aria beams up at me, her eyes shining with joy, and I can"t help but pull her closer, holding her tight.

"Thank you, Niko," I say, my voice thick with emotion.

Niko nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I glance down at Aria, my chest filled with emotion. I decide there is no time like the present.

I drop to one knee as I pull a small box from my pocket. I want to give my angel her fairy tale. She gasps and looks at Niko with excitement.

"Aria Leone, you've captured my heart since the moment I met you. I've loved you from that first moment on. Will you marry me?"

Behind her, Niko rolls his eyes. Clearly, he's not a romantic. The excitement and love in Aria's eyes tells me she is.

She laughs. "I thought we were already getting married."

"Yes, well, that was my plan. I want to make sure that it's your plan as well. Do you choose me to be your husband?" I hold up the ring. "This was my grandmother's and then my mother's. I want you to have it, Aria, as a symbol of my love and my commitment to you."

Aria"s eyes glisten with unshed tears as she holds out her hand, allowing me to slide the ring onto her delicate finger. "Yes, yes… of course, I"ll marry you!"

Overcome with joy, I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly. In that moment, nothing else matters—not the conflict with Niko, not the dangers of the Mafia world. All that exists are Aria and the promise of a future we"ll build together.

As I reluctantly release her, I turn to face Niko, bracing myself for his reaction. To my surprise, his expression is not one of anger, but of… acceptance? He steps forward and envelops Aria in a tight embrace, whispering something in her ear that I can"t quite make out.

When he finally releases her, Niko turns to me, his gaze intense. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"You're a dead man if you hurt her."

"That goes without saying."

Niko extends his hand, and I grasp it firmly, sealing the unspoken truce between us. At that moment, I know that Aria"s happiness is the only thing that matters to both of us.

I pull Aria close, my heart swelling with joy and relief. "Ready to go home?"

Aria nods, a radiant smile lighting up her face. "Yes."

We say our goodbyes to Niko and board the plane. The minute we're airborne, I tug Aria into my lap. "Did your brother hit his head?"

She laughs. "Yes, I whopped him."

I snort.

"I don't know what specifically changed his mind." Aria runs her finger through my hair, her expression thoughtful. "He said that he didn"t know how to be a good brother when I was younger. Maybe I should have realized how difficult it was for him to lose everyone in our family by the time he was twenty. He was so filled with hate and revenge. He sent me away, and it felt like to me he didn't want me around. He says it was that he didn't know how to do anything but protect me." She inhales a breath. "I should have figured that out. His life's goal was power and revenge. Until Elena, I didn't know he had a soft spot deep in his heart."

"But in doing so, he wasn't looking out for your heart." I press my hand on her chest, not in a sexual gesture, but to feel the beat of her heart. A heart that beats for me.

She nods. "I felt abandoned. I'd lost my parents and other brother, and then he shipped me off, losing him too. He says he did it because he couldn't lose me, which doesn't make sense."

"I don't know. If the only way I knew I could keep you safe was to send you away, I'd do it in a minute. I know you don't like me talking like that, but it is what it is."

"Mafia men can be so exasperating."

I grin at her. "But sexy too, right?"

She laughs. "Sexy too."

I tilt my head. "So it's not me, per se, that was the problem?"

"No, except you're in Italy. I think he realized how much we missed of each other's lives and wanted to make up for it. That's easier if I'm in New York. You're taking away his chance to make things right. Or so he sees it. Did I ever mention he's a bit dense?"

I smile. "Niko is a smart man. He loves his family, even if he's dense sometimes."

"Yeah, well he finally decided that my happiness was worth considering in his calculations. Not that he has any say." She looks at me in earnest. "I know his blessing means a lot, but I don't need his permission."

I nod. "His approval means something to me, Mio Angelo. But your love is the most important thing."

Aria"s lips curve into a tender smile. "I do love you, Luca." She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "This is where I want to be. You"re the one I choose."

I return her kiss, my arms tightening around her. She shifts on my lap, and immediately, a kiss that is just about love morphs into a physical need.

She lifts her head, her eyes sparkling. "Is that another gift I feel?" She shifts again.

"I have a new experience for you," I say as I stand and carry her back to the small bedroom on the plane.

"Ooh, I like the sound of that." She loops her arms around my neck. "The Mile High Club."

"Would you like to join?"

"Only if you initiate me."

My dick is throbbing in my slacks, ready to do just that. But I want to do more than fuck her. I want to make love. I want to touch and taste every inch of her. I want her to feel so fucking good.

I strip her bare and lay her on the bed. I remove my clothes and then climb over her, lying on her and kissing her as my hands roam. I can feel her go soft and pliant. That's when I slow things down and explore her body. I trail kisses down her neck as I knead her tits. I move down until I can wrap my lips around her hard nipples and suck. I settle in, loving how she sighs and mewls. The way her body rocks under me simply from sucking her nipples.

"Luca." Her voice is desperate. Her hand wraps around my cock, tugging as she tries to move until I can enter her.

"Relax, Mio Angelo." I run my fingers down her stomach, through her soft folds. I circle her clit. "This is a long ceremony. You'll come so many times."

She arches and moans. I insert one finger, then two as I trail my lips lower, lower.

"Oh, God… Luca." Her hips rock, fucking my fingers. I lick her clit, and she hisses. Finally, I suck her clit as I finger her, reaching that one spot that always makes women come.

She cries out, her body bowing off the bed. I continue to finger fuck her and play with her clit until she's coming again and again. Only when I sense she's hit her limit do I stop. My caress is gentle, as are my kisses, as I continue down her body, sucking on her inner thigh, leaving a mark. She'd hate the idea that I've branded her mine, so I don't mention it.

I move back up, still taking my time, tasting, touching, searing her essence into my brain. When I'm ninety years old suffering from dementia, I'll still remember this. Remember all of Aria.

I lie over her again, kissing her sweetly, tenderly. "Ti amo, Mio Angelo."

"Ti amo," she says as her breath comes back to her.

I position myself at her entrance as I take her hands, lacing my fingers through hers. "Guardami. Look at me."

Her eyes flutter open. God, they're so beautiful. I press my hips down and up, slowly, oh, so fucking slowly, entering her, joining with her. Her cheeks are flushed in a lovely pink hue. Her dark eyes watch me. I see so much love in them. More love than I deserve. I vow to always try harder to be worthy of her love.

Her legs wrap around my hips and hold me seeped inside her. I dip my head and kiss her. Our bodies are one, a single heart and soul. The emotion of it is so brutally raw and pure.

I want to stay like this forever, but nature has other ideas. My body slowly rocks, the friction building and building until our dance is fast, furious, glorious. Together we rise, reaching the pinnacle.

"Luca!" She cries out, her hands gripping mine as hard as her pussy grips my dick.

Stars burst behind my eyes as pleasure floods my body. "Yes, baby… yes…" I pump in and out, my essence filling her. An image of her ripe and round with our child flashes in my mind. I wonder how long she'll want to wait before we have children. But first a wedding… inwardly, I laugh at how eager I am for my full life with Aria to begin.

But it has begun, I realize as I roll to my side and pull her next to me. It started the moment she showed up at the plane. With or without Niko's blessing, her choice this time, knowing all that she knows about me, was the moment my heart started beating. When life filled my soul.