Page 20 of The Virgin and Her Bodyguard
What he’s saying is bigger than love.In this world, you always put the head boss above everyone.Your allegiance is to them first and then your own family.I never understood that, but it’s how everyone operates.
“Yes, really.”His hand cups the back of my neck.“You will always come before any other.You’ll be my wife, the mother of my children, myamore.”He pulls me into him, pressing his mouth to mine.
When I part my lips, he tastes me, and for a few moments, we forget about everything else.It’s only us as the rest of the world slips away.
“Nolia,” he groans against my mouth.“Weshouldstop.”
“Shouldbeing the key word.”I smile as I lean back, sliding my hands up his chest and around his neck.
He came for me like I knew he would.Then he destroyed the men who sought to hurt me.I could see the fury in his eyes as he struck, and the satisfaction was palpable as their bodies hit the floor.
“Tonight,” he promises.
“Tonight,” I agree.“But I want you to know that I love you too.”Luca drops his forehead to mine.“And that I want to be your wife, the mother of your children, youramore.”I could very well already be the mother of his child.Only time will tell.
“You’ll be all those things and so much more.”Luca gives me one more hard, possessive kiss before putting me back in my seat.
When he gets back onto the road, he reaches over and takes my hand into his.All the nerves and worries inside of me settle because I know that whatever I face with my father, Luca will be by my side through it all.
The drive back to Vitaly's is both long and short.Luca gets waved into the underground garage by two guards, and for some reason, I thought we’d be going back to his estate in the country.
“Is this where Pru’s been staying?”
“Yes.With everything going on, Vitaly wanted to keep her close.They needed to be in the city.”That makes me smile.Pru really is going to be Vitaly’s everything.Men tend to keep their mistresses in the city and their wives out of town.Vitaly is keeping Pru wherever he is.“I’m sure he knew Pru would want you close too.”
"Does that mean I'll be in the city?"It dawns on me that I have no clue where I’m going or where Luca and I will live.He must understand my confusion.
“Yes, you’ll of course be living with me, and I own the two floors right below Vitaly's.”
When he stops, I lean over and kiss Luca on the cheek.“I love you,” I say to him, and he pulls me onto his lap once more.
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.”He opens the door and places me on my feet.Then he takes my hand as we walk over to the elevator.I watch as it scans him before the doors open and we step on.“I’ll have you added to the system, but you won’t leave this building alone.”He keys in a passcode and the elevator starts to rise.“Ever.”
“Really?”
“Yes,amore.I know you didn’t pick this life, but being with me could put a target on you.”
“I could be used against you,” I say, and he nods.
“Very much so.I’m sorry for that.”His brows pull together, and I think the realization is truly coming to life.With so many other things happening, it was hard to think about what would happen once we got out of there.
“I didn’t choose this life,” I agree with him.
“I'll get us out if?—”
I place two fingers over his lips, silencing him.“I didn’t choose this life,” I repeat.“But I’m choosing it now.I’m choosing you.”Luca and Vitaly differ greatly from the Beneccis.I hated them because they were cruel and only cared about their own sick pleasures.I know that things will be different here.
“Amore.”He leans down to kiss me again, and I melt into him.
“Well, isn’t this interesting?”I jerk back at the sound of Pru’s voice.She’s standing in the doorway of the open elevator doors.
“Pru!”I fling myself at her, and we hug each other tightly.
“You have so much to tell me, you little hussy,” Pru whispers in my ear.
It makes me laugh in the best way.“I was so worried about you.”
“Me?!You were the one back in the estate.I’ve been worried sick about you.”She hugs me again, tighter this time.“But we did it.”