Chapter 12

MIRA

The black SUV glides smoothly through the busy streets of New York with the hum of the city as a constant backdrop. We're on our way to the airport to pick up my sister and I'm a nervous wreck. Beside me, Lorenzo sits with calm confidence. His powerful presence both grounds and reassures me. Antonio drives expertly, while Renaldo, my new bodyguard, sits in the front passenger seat constantly scanning our surroundings for danger.

My heart races with a mix of excitement and nerves. Lila is finally coming to visit, and I'm eager for her to see my new life and to meet Lorenzo. I know she'll have questions and concerns, but we'll have to find a way to get past them because I refuse to give up my relationship with Lorenzo. A glance at his strong profile set in determination reminds me of why I'm here and why this is all worth it.

The airport comes into view, bustling with travelers and reunions, and Antonio expertly navigates the SUV to the pick-up area where we exit the vehicle before making our way to the luggage carousels. As we wait, the minutes seem to drag on forever.

Then, through the throng of people filling the busy airport, I spot Lila. She looks the same as always. She's petite and determined, with her familiar lively eyes scanning the crowd. When she sees me, her face breaks into a wide smile, and she rushes forward, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Mira!" she says as she rushes over to us.

"I'm so glad you're here," I reply, squeezing her tightly. As we pull apart, I introduce her to Lorenzo. "Lila, this is Lorenzo."

Lila extends her hand, trying to mask the scrutiny in her eyes. "Nice to meet you, Lorenzo."

"The pleasure is mine," Lorenzo replies, his voice warm and friendly.

Antonio and Renaldo hover nearby, their presence a subtle but constant reminder of the security now woven into my life. As Lila's eyes turn to them, curiosity and concern flicker through her gaze.

The ride back to the penthouse is filled with small talk, catching up on her jobs and plans for next semester. Yet, I can see the wheels turning in Lila's mind, questions lurking behind her polite responses.

When we arrive at the penthouse, Lorenzo and the other two men disappear while I give her a quick tour, ending in the living room with its panoramic view of the city.

"Can we talk for a minute?" she asks, her tone a little too casual.

"Of course," I say, leading her over to the large leather sectional facing the windows.

As we sit across from each other, she glances over at me, her eyes wide with incredulity. "Mira, have you lost your mind? Are you seriously dating a mafia boss?" she hiss-whispers.

I take a deep breath, expecting her reaction but still feeling the sting of her words. "Lila, I know how it sounds, but it's not what you think. Yes, Lorenzo is involved in… complicated business, but he loves me and I love him."

She looks at me like I've grown two heads. "I can't freaking believe you're so calm about this. Don't you see the danger?" she demands, her voice rising slightly. "You're in New York, living in a penthouse with armed bodyguards. This is not normal!"

"Lila, please," I say, trying to keep my voice calm. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But I trust him. He's shown me a side of life where I feel safe and valued. I fell head over heels in love with him."

She shakes her head, still trying to process. "Mira, you're my sister. I want you to be safe and happy. But this… this is so much to take in."

I reach out, taking her hands in mine. "I am safe and happy. Lorenzo will do anything to keep me that way, and I need you to trust me on this. Please give us a chance to show you."

She studies me for a long moment, the worry and love in her eyes evident. "I want to trust you, Mira. But what happens if things go wrong?"

"We'll deal with that if it happens." I'm not above begging. "But for now, I need to live my life and make my own choices. I choose to be with Lorenzo, and I want you to see how happy I am."

She sighs, the tension evident in her stiff position. "I'll try to understand, but it's going to take time."

"That's all I ask."

When we rejoin the others, Lorenzo looks at me with a question in his eyes and I smile, a silent reassurance that things are okay. As the evening progresses with more conversation, dinner, and laughter, Lila slowly begins relaxing into our world.

Later, as the city lights twinkle outside and the penthouse grows quieter, I find myself alone with Lorenzo. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to his warm, muscular body.

"Is everything alright?" he asks, his voice soft. I shiver as his warm breath brushes against my ear.

"It will be," I reply, leaning into his embrace. "Lila just needs time to adjust."

"And you?" he asks, leaning back so his dark eyes can search mine.

"I'm exactly where I want to be," I say, sealing my words with a kiss.

The sunlight filters through the tall windows of the penthouse, casting a warm glow that makes the space feel both luxurious and cozy. Breakfast is a lively affair, the air filled with the sounds of clinking cutlery and easy conversation.

Over the past few days, Lorenzo has been pulling out all the stops to win over Lila, and I have to admit, it's been working.

"Do you have any plans for today, Lorenzo?" Lila smiles.

Lorenzo's warm smile reaches his eyes. "As a matter of fact, I do." He looks at me, his gaze filled with excitement. "I thought we could spend the day at the zoo."

"The zoo?" Lila and I ask in unison, surprise coloring our voices.

"Yes, the zoo," he replies, clearly enjoying our astonishment. "I thought it might be a fun change of pace."

I can't help but grin at this carefree side of my mafia boss caveman. "That sounds wonderful."

Lila looks at Lorenzo with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. "Alright, the zoo it is."

We finish breakfast and get ready for the day, the prospect of an outing filling the air with a sense of anticipation. It's a little strange how quickly I've adjusted to the presence of bodyguards. Renaldo and the others are always nearby, a silent but reassuring presence.

The drive to the Central Park Zoo is smooth. Vito, Lorenzo's long-time driver, navigates the bustling city streets with expert precision. As we arrive, I notice Lila is nearly vibrating with excitement. There's something about the zoo that brings out the inner child in everyone.

Lorenzo takes my hand as we enter, the familiar grip a comfort in this slightly surreal scenario. Renaldo and the other bodyguards spread out, maintaining a discreet distance but staying within sight. It's a little jarring at first, seeing these serious men in suits amidst families and children, but I'm slowly getting used to it.

We start with the penguin exhibit, the playful antics of the birds breaking the ice in a way that conversation never could. Lila laughs, her eyes bright with joy, and I squeeze Lorenzo's hand in silent appreciation.

"They're adorable," Lila says. Her earlier skepticism of Lorenzo has been steadily melting away, and I can see she's actually starting to understand what I see in him. "I always forget how much I love the zoo."

Lorenzo nods, looking genuinely pleased. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

As we move through the various exhibits, I catch glimpses of the behind-the-scenes efforts Lorenzo has made. From private tours to up-close animal encounters, he's gone to great lengths to make this day special. It's hard not to be touched by the effort, and I can see Lila softening more and more with each passing hour.

One of the highlights is the butterfly garden. We walk through the lush space, the air filled with the fluttering of delicate wings. A vivid orange butterfly lands on Lila's shoulder, and she gasps in delight.

"Mira, look!" she says, her face lit up with pure happiness.

"I see it," I reply, grinning. "You're a butterfly magnet."

Lorenzo steps closer, brushing a stray hair from my face. "Thank you for coming today, Lila. It means a lot to both of us."

Lila looks at him, her expression thoughtful. "You've gone out of your way to make this special. I appreciate it, Lorenzo. Really."

The day continues with more laughter, shared stories, and moments of connection. At the big cat exhibit, we watch in awe as a lioness prowls gracefully, her powerful presence a reminder of the beauty and danger that coexist in nature. I lean into Lorenzo, feeling a profound sense of contentment.

A few times during the day, I notice my sister's eyes meeting Antonio's, and I suddenly realize there's a tension in the air surrounding us that has nothing to do with Lorenzo and me.

By the time we finish our zoo visit, the sun is beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the city, and we head to a nearby café.

After we settle at a table outside to enjoy the cool evening air, Lila smiles at me. "This was… unexpected, but in a good way."

"I'm glad to hear that," Lorenzo replies, his tone genuine. "I want you to know that Mira is safe with me. She will always be my priority."

Lila looks at me, her expression softening, "I can see that. It's still a lot to process, but I can see how happy you are."

"I am," I say, reaching across the table to take her hand. "And having you here means everything to me."

We share a few more moments of conversation, the atmosphere relaxed and easy. Antonio and Renaldo stand nearby, their vigilant presence blending into the background.

As we finish our drinks and prepare to head back to the penthouse, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Lorenzo's efforts have not only won over Lila but have also cemented the bond between us.

The drive back is filled with quiet conversation while the city lights create a mesmerizing backdrop around us. When we arrive at the penthouse, Antonio and Renaldo blend into the background to stand watch.

I wrap my arms around Lorenzo after Lila makes her way to her room. "Thank you for today," I whisper, my heart full.

He brushes a kiss on my forehead. "Anything for you, Mira."