Bound By Blood

Chapter 11: Torn Loyalty

(Luca’s POV)

The Bellini estate had always been a sanctuary for Luca, a place where he could focus on his role in the family without the chaos that came with their empire. But tonight, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.

As soon as he finished another tense meeting with their security team, he went looking for Sophia. She had been on his mind constantly, her presence a comfort in a world that was otherwise dark and dangerous. The memory of their kiss was a reminder of what life could be like outside of this bloody business—a glimpse of a future that didn’t revolve around power and violence.

He found her outside on the balcony, her arms resting on the stone railing as she stared out into the night. The soft breeze lifted strands of her hair, and the moonlight bathed her in a silvery glow. She looked ethereal, like a vision, and for a moment, Luca hesitated. What was he doing, pulling her into his world?

But the moment she turned to look at him, her eyes wide and filled with something he couldn’t quite read, his hesitation vanished. He needed her. More than he had realized.

“Hey,” he said softly as he joined her, leaning on the railing beside her.

Sophia gave him a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Hi.”

Luca frowned, sensing the shift in her mood. “Is everything okay?”

She hesitated for a moment, and he could tell there was something she wasn’t telling him. But before he could press her, she stepped closer, her body brushing against his. “I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice soft. “I just needed some air.”

Luca watched her carefully, his gut telling him that something had changed. But as she moved closer, wrapping her arms around his waist, all thoughts of doubt were pushed aside. He pulled her in, his arms encircling her, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“I’ll protect you,” he whispered, his voice filled with quiet conviction. “No matter what.”

She looked up at him then, her eyes filled with uncertainty. But she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned in, her lips brushing his. Luca deepened the kiss, his hands slipping into her hair as he tried to lose himself in her touch.

This was where he felt whole—with her in his arms, away from the violence and the bloodshed. For once, he didn’t want to think about the Rossettis or the family business. He just wanted her.

Sophia’s hands slid down his chest, and for a moment, everything else faded. It was just the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of the night, lost in the moment.

But in the back of his mind, a nagging voice whispered: Marco.