Bound By Love

by Reilly, Cora

  Gianna jabbed the button of the elevator repeatedly, but it was still on its way down to the underground garage. “What the fuck is he getting the car for? It’s parked right beside the elevator doors anyway. Idiot.”

  “He’s nervous,” I said quietly, enjoying a moment of almost no pain but then another contraction stiffened my spine and I cried out, arching in Matteo’s hold. He staggered and tensed.

  “Fuck,” he snarled, and Gianna hit the button again, as if violence ever made a technical device work faster.

  “Will you be able to keep the baby in until we’re in the hospital?” Matteo asked worriedly.

  I rolled my eyes. He made it sound as if I could shut the door down there. “I don’t know.”

  “Finally!” Gianna exclaimed as the elevator arrived on our floor and the doors slid open, and my heart skipped a beat in relief. Luca towered inside and his worried gray eyes zoomed in on me. Without a word, he strode toward Matteo and took me from his brother. Luca held me against his chest as if I weighed nothing. He lowered his face and kissed me gently before he headed for the elevator. I could feel his heartbeat racing, but his face was calm and it soothed my own worries. With him at my side, everything would be okay.

  “Where’s Demetrio?” Matteo asked.

  “Sent him to the hospital to make sure it’s safe,” Luca said, his eyes never leaving my face, and I held his gaze because the pain seemed more bearable like that. Matteo opened the door of his Porsche Cayenne for us but when Luca was about to set me down on the backseat, the strongest contraction rocked through my body. I convulsed, my eyes closing, and I released a small cry.

  “You are strong, Aria,” Luca murmured against my forehead. “And I’m here for you. I wish I could take the pain from you.”

  I peered up at him through half-lowered lids. I breathed in and out, seeking solace in his gentle eyes. Upon feeling me relax, Luca put me down on the backseat, then climbed in behind me, so I was resting against his chest. Matteo and Gianna sat in the front, and Matteo drove his car like a madman.

  We arrived at the hospital with the baby still inside, but I was rushed into the delivery room at once. “Give her something for the pain,” Luca barked the moment the first doctor crossed our path. I only heard something like too late before another wave of pain blacked out everything else.

  Luca brushed my hand with his lips as I clung to him through every contraction. I didn’t find time to catch my breath between them anymore, and I was at the maximum of what I could endure.

  Luca’s brows were drawn together, his expression almost desperate. He scowled at the nurses. “Do something,” he snarled.

  “One last push,” the midwife encouraged.

  I didn’t think I had the energy for another push but then through the fog of agony, a cry sounded. My baby. My daughter.

  Luca’s eyes shot down to my face then lower.

  I sagged with relief as the midwife held up a small human being covered in blood. For a moment, Luca didn’t move, then he kissed my cheek and temple, wonder on his face, and I let out a disbelieving laugh. The midwife did a quick checkup before she put our daughter in my arms.

  Luca released my hand so I could hold her. I stroked her sticky black hair. She had a lot of it, as coal black as her father’s. I smiled up at Luca, who watched our child with a frozen look on his face. “She’s got your hair,” I whispered as I breathed in her scent, trying to memorize it. Her eyes were still bluish-gray. It was hard to say which color really.

  “She’s so small,” Luca said quietly. He made no move to touch her. He seemed almost afraid to do so. Perhaps the doctor and midwife who were still in a room with us held him back from showing his affection, but it hadn’t stopped him from being affectionate to me.

  “Marcella,” he murmured, and tears stung in my eyes at the tenderness in his voice as he called our baby girl by her name for the first time.

  “Do you want to hold her?”

  Luca’s eyes darted from Marcella to me, then he swallowed. “No.”

  I frowned, heart clenching at his refusal. “Why not?”

  He held up his strong hands with their scars as if that would answer my question. “She’s pure and breakable. I—”

  “You won’t break her if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said softly, but he shook his head and cupped my cheek. “You hold her. It’s beautiful.”

  I gave a small nod, stifling my disappointment. Leaning forward, I brushed my lips over his. “I love you.”

  Luca glanced at the doctor, who was writing something down in the corner of the room. I touched his hand to show him I understood that he couldn’t say it back with someone else in the room. I knew he loved me, loved Marcella and me both, no words needed.

  Luca didn’t leave our side as we were taken to a private room after I’d been stitched up. Shortly after we’d settled in, Gianna and Matteo came in. I was tired and wanted to rest after the exhausting birth, but they’d waited a long time and I wanted to give them the chance to see Marcella.

  Gianna came toward the bed to hug me gently while Matteo wrapped his brother in a hug. “I can’t believe you’re a father now,” Matteo said with a grin.

  Luca nodded as if he couldn’t believe it either, his eyes returning to Marcella, who was sleeping in the crib beside my bed. He looked almost lost. I wasn’t sure what to do to help him.

  I gestured toward the crib. “Why don’t you hold her, Gianna?”

  Gianna straightened but she didn’t reach for Marcella. “You know I’m not good with kids,” she said hesitantly.

  I couldn’t believe them. Luca didn’t want to hold our daughter, and now Gianna didn’t want to hold her niece either.

  Matteo let out a sigh and stepped up to the crib. Luca rocked forward as if he was about to stop his brother, but then he froze. Matteo must have seen it too, but he ignored it. He slipped his hand under Marcella as I sat up in the bed. “Make sure to support her neck. She can’t hold her head up yet.”

  Matteo raised his eyes. Perhaps he’d thought I’d stop him, but Matteo and I had been getting along very well in the last few months. I didn’t trust him like I trusted Luca. Not even close, but I knew he’d protect Marcella. And then he lifted her out of her crib and her eyes peeled open, some spittle dripping down her lips and on his shirt sleeve. He didn’t seem to mind.

  “It’s a miracle humankind survived with how fragile and useless our newborns are,” Matteo mused as he looked down at my daughter.

  “That’s because we make sure nobody gets the chance to hurt them. I think Marcella will be well protected,” I said, meeting Luca’s gaze. Fierce protectiveness reflected in his eyes.

  Luca and Matteo exchanged a look that caused Gianna to roll her eyes, but I smiled. If anyone ever so much as considered hurting Marcella, I wanted them to be met with Luca’s and Matteo’s full wrath.

  LUCA

  Marcella had my hair. Whenever I’d imagined our daughter, she’d looked like Aria—blonde hair, blue eyes. I hadn’t considered that part of me would be so obviously reflected in her. I hadn’t considered that she’d have anything of me. Aria was pure and kind and beautiful. There weren’t many good qualities I could offer. But Marcella was gorgeous with her black hair. Pure perfection like her mother.

  The moment I’d seen her I’d been in love, and seeing Aria with Marcella, I loved my beautiful wife even more. Both of them were my life. The light in my darkness, and I knew I’d ruin it if I touched Marcella. She was fragile. I’d never seen fingers and toes that small. I’d break her. I’d pollute her with my darkness.

  Matteo held her without those reservations. He had as much blood on his hands as I, was as twisted and cruel, but he held her, held my daughter. I’d wanted to stop him, didn’t want his killer hands on my innocent daughter, but Aria’s expression had prevented me, and now I had to stand by as my brother rocked my daughter in his arms. I knew I’d never have to worry about Marcella when Matteo was around. He would defend her. He’d kill and
maim and burn to defend her – like I would. We both had our demons, but protecting our loved one—that was one of the very few positive character traits we had.

  Aria’s gaze burnt a hole in my chest. She wanted me to be the one to hold Marcella. She gave me a reassuring smile, then yawned. She was pale, had lost a lot of blood. “It’s time for you to go. Aria needs rest,” I said.

  Matteo lowered Marcella into her crib before he went over to Aria and hugged her, followed by Gianna. Then they slipped out, leaving us alone.

  “You don’t have to stay,” Aria whispered.

  I stalked toward her, slipped out of my shoes and climbed into bed with her. It was a tight fit, even with Aria’s body snuggled up against me. She winced when she moved and I was careful not to hurt her as I wrapped my arms around her. “I’ll stay,” I said firmly. She rested her palm over my heart as she often did. Sometimes I wondered if it was to reassure herself that I had a beating heart. I covered her hand with mine and she released a breath. “Whenever you are at my side, I know everything will be okay.”

  “Sleep, principessa. I will protect you.”

  “And Marcella,” she added, half-asleep.

  “You and Marcella both, till my death.”

  Her breathing evened out, and I allowed my own eyes to close. I wouldn’t sleep of course. This wasn’t our penthouse or our mansion. Romero and Matteo would make sure there were men guarding the corridors, but I needed to be vigilant as well. Whoever wanted to hurt my wife and daughter, would have to go through me.

  The next day Aria was released. The doctors probably wanted us gone so they wouldn’t have to deal with armed guards anymore. I had seen how terrified they were of us. Everyone knew what we were. I didn’t give a fuck. I was glad to have Aria back in our penthouse where she and Marcella were safer than out in a public hospital, especially since I’d bought the offices in the building across from our roof terrace and stationed a sniper on the top.

  Aria wasn’t allowed to carry anything heavy yet since she was still in pain, so Matteo had to carry Marcella in her carrier. Aria didn’t comment, but Matteo was fucking mocking me with his eyes. I knew he’d chew my ear off later.

  And I was right. The moment Aria and Gianna had settled on the sofa, and Marcella was asleep in her crib beside them, Matteo cornered me in the kitchen as I was about to prepare coffee for us.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you, Luca?” he muttered, getting right in my face. I glanced toward our wives but they were deep in conversation.

  “Stay out of my business.” I pressed the button of the coffee maker.

  Matteo shook his head. “She’s your daughter. Why won’t you touch her? Even I can tell that it’s killing Aria to see you acting like a total jackass.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Our father was a sadistic asshole, not a role model of what it means to be a good father. I’m like him in so many regards—who’s to say I won’t be a shitty father as well?”

  Matteo laughed. Fucking laughed in my face. “Fuck. Listen to you talking bullshit. You are nothing like our father where it matters. He raped and beat our mother. You cut your own arm because you didn’t want to force Aria on your wedding night. You treat her like a queen, and you will treat your daughter like a princess. Now stop the bullshit, Luca.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Matteo, you make it sound like I’m a saint. You know me.”

  “Saint, sinner, as if I give a fuck.” Matteo sneered. “I know you. I know you like to kill, you like to spill blood as much as I do. I know you enjoy slicing up our enemies and traitors. I know you like to be feared. You like their screams and their begging. You are a sick fucker like me, but you are a sick fucker who loves his wife and his daughter, and who would rather spill his own blood and slice his own limbs off than harm them.”

  I shoved the full coffee cup toward Matteo without a word, and took a gulp from my own black coffee. I didn’t think I’d live to see the day that Matteo was the voice of reason from us both. I didn’t like it one bit. “We’ll see how you’ll handle becoming a father.”

  Matteo shook his head. “Gianna and I don’t want kids right now, perhaps never.”

  I raised my eyebrows in surprise but didn’t get the chance to ask him about it because Romero and Lily arrived for lunch.

  After greeting Aria and taking a look at Marcella, Romero came over to Matteo and me, gripping my hand with a smile. “Congrats. Your daughter is beautiful.”

  She was, beautiful like Aria.

  Aria glanced up and met my gaze, her lips turning up at the corners.

  chapter 26

  ARIA

  When everyone left and Luca and I were alone with Marcella again, he walked over to us and peered down at Marcella in her crib. He looked at her like he wanted to touch her, to hold her, but he didn’t allow himself to do so. I stood. “I’m going to the bathroom. Will you watch Marcella?”

  Luca nodded slowly but his eyes flickered with worry. Moving was still difficult, so it took a while for me to walk upstairs into our bathroom. Everything took longer, and I was washing my hands when I heard Marcella’s cries. I hurried out but stopped in the doorway of our bedroom, peering through the gap down at Luca, who was hovering next to the crib.

  I wasn’t sure how to make him see that he wouldn’t hurt her.

  “Aria?” he called and I hid behind the door, waiting.

  My gut wrenched at Marcella’s cries. It took all my willpower not to run for her and cradle her in my arms.

  “It’s okay,” Luca said softly.

  I risked another glance downstairs.

  Luca still stood over the crib, staring down at it like it was going to kill him. I was on the verge of walking down, of interfering and calming Marcella, when finally he reached down. He had watched me lift her. He hesitated then he lifted her from the crib, supporting her small head with his strong fingers the way I always did it. She looked tiny against his strong hands. He cradled her in the crook of his arm, then stroked her cheek with his index finger. My heart burst with so much love, it was almost painful.

  “Shhh, princess, shhh. Everything is okay.” She quieted, big eyes trying to focus on him. “God, you are so small,” he whispered, his finger brushing over her small hand and tiny fingers.

  “See,” I said, walking onto the landing. “You didn’t break her.”

  He looked up then frowned. “You set this up.”

  “I didn’t set it up. Marcella cries whenever she wants. But I chose not to go to her like I usually would.”

  I walked down the stairs slowly, and Luca moved toward me, holding out his free hand to support me. My heart swelled as I put my palm over Luca’s arm holding our baby. “She enjoys being in your arm.” His gaze moved back down to our daughter.

  LUCA

  Marcella’s cries pitched higher as she flailed in the crib. Aria was still upstairs, but she needed to calm down our daughter.

  “Aria?”

  She didn’t reply and Marcella kept wailing, her face scrunched up, arms and legs twitching. Fuck. My heart tore from her cries.

  Holding my breath, I reached into the crib, carefully slid my hand under Marcella, making sure my fingers supported her head, and I lifted her out. She was so small in my palms. I cradled her in the crook of my arm and ran my thumb along her soft cheek. “Shhh, princess, everything is okay.” She quieted, blinking up.

  “See, you didn’t break her,” Aria said as she appeared at the top of the stairs.

  I hadn’t and I wouldn’t.

  Aria joined us downstairs. I’d never seen her happier than in this moment as she watched me with Marcella. I wrapped my free arm around her, pulling her against my side, and she gave me that gorgeous slow smile. “See, your darkness didn’t rub off on me and it hasn’t rubbed off on her, Luca. Marcella will see you as I see you, as someone who holds her when she needs him to, someone who loves her and protects her.”

  “You make me human, Aria,” I said quietly.

  Her brows drew together. �
��Don’t say that. You are human.”

  I smiled darkly. “If anyone ever dares to hurt you or Marcella, they won’t see my human side.”

  Aria nodded. “Nobody will ever get the chance to hurt us, Luca.”

  She was right. I’d move Heaven and earth to guarantee her safety. Being at war with the Outfit would make this harder. I had the Outfit and the Bratva to watch, not to mention local MCs who kept giving my Underbosses trouble in the Southeast. But my biggest concern was becoming the Camorra in Las Vegas.

  I had to make sure the Outfit didn’t start working with the Camorra, or things would get messy. Yet as long as Benedetto Falcone kept killing his Underbosses, Dante would regard him as too volatile, and without continuity in his ranks, Benedetto lacked the necessary focus to set his sights beyond his borders. But who could say how long that would last? Remo Falcone had disappeared but I knew he was out there, and one day he’d make himself known in the West. He wouldn’t give me trouble again, not until he’d killed his father and become Capo, but then all bets would be off. He’d sized me up. He was still young and had nothing to lose, but he forgot I had something worth fighting for. Perhaps his father would take him off my hands and dispose of his son before that.

  chapter 27

  ARIA

  Luca was tense when he returned late one night six months after Marcella’s birth. I watched as he undressed, his movements jerky, eyes worried.

  “Luca?” I asked quietly, but he shook his head and lay down beside me completely naked. His need reflected clearly in his eyes. I climbed on top of him, my lips finding his as his hands roamed my back then dipped between my legs.

  I quivered on top of him, but I wanted to feel him in me. I scooted down and lowered myself on his erection. My hands against his chest, I began moving my hips as I looked into his eyes. I knew Luca had a lot to deal with at the moment, but he tried to keep the problems away from Marcella and me. This often felt like the only way I could give him comfort.