Page 14 of The Hidden Heir

I let a heavy sigh out. "Is that your role in the family? To fix what your brother broke, because it sounds like it is."

"I'm trying to avoid an all-out war. Mancuso still has enough power and influence to make it harder on everybody else, my business included. And the bloodier it gets, the higher the risk of federal interference. The last thing I need is a RICO operation blowing everything apart. You and Michael would get tangled in that, too, and I know it wouldn't end well for either of you."

My blood runs cold as I imagine the potential repercussions. He's not wrong.

"And Caroline just... steps aside?"

"I'm claiming you as my wife and Michael as my son. Caroline will adjust."

"He's not your son."

"He's a Petrucci. And once you and I say our vows, he becomes my son."

"This is insane."

He comes closer. My heart beats faster, making it harder for me to focus.

I already gave him my yes. He knows it, I know it, and hearing about Caroline changes nothing except how much I trust him. But it doesn't mean I will go quietly into that good night.

"What about Caroline? How will she react to this?"

"I'll speak to her. I'll mend that bridge. It's still a favorable peace deal for the Mancusos, because it unites our families through you. The old man will have some limited access to the boy. He can still leave everything to Michael," he says.

That's a devious power play, to say the least. "It would be the end of the Mancuso family."

"It'll be the end of the Mancuso family either way," Luca replies. "It's entirely up to Mauro if he wants to go down with honor or with shame. But our wedding is going to happen."

"Fine," I finally say, "just don't expect me to be happy about it. And put the idea of me wearing a wedding dress for this aside. That's not going to happen."

"It will happen," Luca says.

I shake my head. "Over my dead body. Get a judge to sign the marriage certificate and be done with it."

"It'll be a small but public affair. The people who need to witness it will be there. A message will be sent, loud and clear. Mancuso will have no choice but to accept it."

"No!" I snap.

Luca's gaze darkens, shadows swirling in his eyes. His arm snakes around my waist, and before I realize what's happening, he pulls me close. His mouth crashes into mine, leaving me breathless and brainless. The kiss is short but tempestuous, furious, demanding. His tongue invades my mouth, and I do everything in my power to resist—but only for a second.

I melt into him.

My defenses are utterly shattered.

My senses unravel.

Time itself dilates under the pressure growing in my core. But Luca lets go abruptly. I almost lose my footing on the path. I look up at him in sheer disbelief. His breath is ragged, his lips glistening from having just ravaged mine. A fire burns in my womb, a desire I never imagined I would ever feel for this man. It's wrapped in layers of shock and anger, though.

"How dare you?" I breathe.

"It's the only way to get my point across, apparently," Luca declares, straightening his jacket. "The wedding is happening this Sunday. Take a couple of days with that catalogue, Valentina. You'll want to look your best."

He walks away, leaving me flustered and hot and bothered in the warm sunlight. Befuddled and ashamed by my own reaction to his body, to his touch, to his lips. By the gods, all it took was one kiss.

The next morning, I'm pining.

Restless, I toss and turn for a while, unable to get that kiss out of my head. I haven't seen Luca since, but it hasn't stopped him from invading my every thought with the grace of a bull in a china shop. When Susie comes in to take Michael downstairs for breakfast, so I can have a few moments to myself, I thank her and drag myself into the shower.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" I mutter as I let the hot water run down my body. The stream relaxes my muscles as I lather myself with lavender soap. The rinse is almost cathartic, until I let my hands move up and down.