CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
AYA
Staring at Luciano’s passive expression, I nibbled diligently on my bottom lip as deep, even breaths flowed from his nose. For once his brow was smooth, and the thin lines that marred around his mouth were absent. Smiling at how peaceful he seemed, I set my head back down on his shoulder to take a deep lungful of his smell.
“I told you to rest, mia Aya…” Luciano’s rumbling words were more felt than heard, and he shuffled onto his side to throw his arm around my waist. His expression never changed, and my smile widened at the notion that I was the cause of his peace. “Ragazza ostinata.”
“Will you teach me?” In the dark silence of my room my whisper was loud, and Luciano opened his eyes. His orbs twinkled with black light, and I wiggled closer as he let out a half groan, half sigh.
“Vai a dormire. Go to sleep.” Irritation leaked into his husky tone, and Luciano pushed his knee between my legs. The coarse hairs that covered his arm tickled my side, and I carefully mouthed the words he spoke before he reached to thumb my lips. “Why are you still here?”
My eyes widened at Luciano’s grumble, and I stiffened while his expression screwed. Jumping into my throat, my heart throbbed wildly as butterflies fluttered in my belly. No thoughts came to my mind no matter how furiously it worked, and I sucked my lips between my teeth, a crease forming between my brows.
“I- I don’t understand…” Panic slammed into my chest, and my ribs buckled from the force of it. Pulling me flush against him, Luciano’s hard body knocked the air from my lungs. His grunt was soft under the blood rushing in my ears, and I curled my hands into fists. Colorful spots dotted the void we were immersed in, and I blinked hard before coarse fingertips brushed my cheek.
“Stop panicking, Aya.” Softly caressing my hot face, Luciano’s command settled over me like a thick, heavy blanket. Dampening my anxiety, he nudged his knee farther up my inner thighs as he leaned close to me. “Tell me why you’re sti-“
“I love you!” Gasping loudly, I clamped my palms over my mouth as Luciano froze, turning cold like stone against my front. Tearing my eyes from his, I squeezed my lids shut even while his gaze bored into my crown. Dark, violent tremors slid down my spine, but I felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest.
Holding myself very still, I waited with screaming lungs for him to say or do something- anything. It was torture, the silence pounding against my skull.
“… Good…” Sneaking to cup the back of my head, Luciano’s palm was warm and strong when he tucked me tenderly under his chin. My breath escaped in a gust, and I relaxed into his body before he spoke up again. “Now, go to sleep.”
In the silence my mind worked at a pleased leisure, and a smile once again stretched my lips. Closing my eyes, I took a deep, calming breath as Luciano’s began to even out. Everything would be okay as long as I was right here; there was no doubt in my mind about that. His arms around me provided safety even in this war zone of a house. Not even Sylvi could get to me. Luciano was strong, warm, like a living wall that kept me in and everyone else out.
Alarm slithered up my spine, pulling me from my peaceful slumber with a violent jerk. Shooting up to sit, I tensed at the absence of protective arms around me. The place next to me was stark, and my heart beat harder in its cage. Looking around wildly, my eyes widened at the large body that lounged in a chair that hadn’t been here when I went to sleep.
The sun illuminated taut, tanned skin that covered thick muscle, but the longer I stared the more my gut churned. Long legs supported a lazy slouch, and my gaze flickered up to the multitude of tattoos etched into his flesh. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I held my breath before finally reaching his face. Intense, piercing, brown eyes met mine, and a shiver lodged between my shoulder blades.
“You’re awake.” Dropping to his lips, my eyes widened at how familiar he seemed, and he pushed himself up from his seat with the grace of a predator. “I’m Marco. Luciano told me to look after you.”
“Luciano did?” Clenching my jaw tightly, I scooted back when Marco stilled, like a lion whose prey had started to amble away. His calculating eyes scanned my form, and I pulled my knees to my chest. Slowly he stalked towards me, each step palpitating my heart and sending a shudder through my lungs.
“Yes. He doesn’t trust Sylvi, and I suppose it’s with good reason. That little shit has a grudge against you for taking away his best friend.” Stopping at the edge of the bed, Marco smirked even as his words rattled my brain. “I can understand it, but he should’ve just killed you. Now he’s just gone and made it worse, hasn’t he? Just goes to show that anyone that isn’t dead is a problem.”
The headboard stopped my retreat, and I cringed when Marco leaned down close to my face. His breath smelled like mint and eggs, mixing with whatever cologne he was wearing to send air into my skull. Boring into me, his gaze narrowed into fine points before he finally straightened.
“Don’t be nervous, ragazza di coniglio. The last thing I plan to do is throw myself in with a fucking idiot like Sylvi. Luciano will be back for you soon. I’ll be gentle with you, I promise.” Sauntering back to his chair, Marco dropped down heavily. His low grunt pushed stale air from my lungs, and I sucked in a breath as he jostled himself into a slouch. “I’m more than happy to simply look after you for the time being, ragazza di coniglio.”
Seconds ticked by in silence before I convinced my muscles to move, and I threw my legs over the side of the bed away from Marco. Staring down at my dress, I pursed my lips together as the lightly colored fabric brought back memories I just wanted to forget. Scowling lightly, I stood up to make my way into the bathroom as the dress irritated my skin.
It wasn’t as soft as Luciano’s shirts, and I shut the door behind me before slipping out of it.
Sweat and grime peeled from my skin in layers under the burning hot waterfall, and I lifted my arms over my head to turn my face to the shower head. The onslaught was welcome, and a small smile picked up my lips as heavy drops trailed down my chest and back. Steam started to build in the glass box, heating the tiled walls. Grabbing a bottle of shampoo, I carefully poured out its contents before working it into my hair with robotic movements.
Peeking out of the bathroom, my wandering eye easily caught sight of Luciano as he leaned on the footboard of my bed. His large, muscular body was swathed in a dark gray suit, and my tongue sneaked out to moisten my lips. Images flashed through my mind’s eye of what was underneath his clothes, and heat suffused my cheeks.
“Aya…” Jumping at the call, I blinked away my thoughts to fine Luciano watching me. His dark eyes shone with expectancy, and my face flamed as he clenched and released his jaw. “Let’s go.”
Squeezing out of the crack in the door, I smoothed my dress absently before Marco appeared in my peripheral. Stepping close to Luciano, he playfully punched his shoulder while my gaze slid between them. The similarities were shocking, and I sucked my lips between my teeth as Marco spoke up.
“You’re being rude, Luc. Tell her she’s very beautiful in her little, purple dress.” My eyes widened at the deep, dark scowl Luciano shot Marco, and his eyes scanned me from head to toe. The banter was almost playful, and shock blew up my pupils as they flickered from one to the other.
They’re siblings.
Stiffening at the realization, I dug my toes into the carpet as goosebumps washed my arms and chest. Across the room Marco turned his attention to me, a knowing smirk slipping between his cheeks.
“Luciano is my big half-brother- we share the same father. Although, I chose this life, while h-”. Cut off by a sharp shove, Marco stumbled lithely before Luciano stomped over to me. Tingles shot down my spine, and I gasped when he grabbed my arm. His gentle caress was a distant memory as he glared at his brother.
“Fuck off, Marco.” Pulling me towards the door, Luciano shoved past his half-brother as I gnawed on my cheek. “… or you’ll eat a bullet.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve shot me, Luc. I’m just excited to see that little wimp get the shit beaten out of him.” Behind us Marco clapped his hands, and I jumped closer to Luciano. Pressing against his side, I shivered at his brother’s gleeful tone. Licking my lips, my tongue caught on the crackled, dried skin before he glanced down at me. Luciano’s gaze bored into my crown, and I peeked up at him through my lashes. The hallway was ending, but he didn’t look away until we stopped at the top of the stairs.
The stairway looked steeper than I remembered, and I inched back as wooziness washed over me. Still holding my arm, Luciano tugged gently to catch draw my attention. His eyebrows were furrowed, concern deepening the creases around his mouth as he frowned. Blood flushed my cheeks, and I held my breath when he tugged me to him.
“I’ll carry you.” Carefully picking me up, Luciano dragged his palm down my leg to rub my foot. The tender gesture melted my heart, and I rested my head on his shoulder with a small smile. His touch prompted no pain, not even the slightest twinge, and he blew out a hot breath before descending the stairs.