Heir In The Shadows

EPISODE 34

It had been a month since the Dax incident, and he had completely disappeared from Luciano’s life. The silence he left behind was almost peaceful, and it gave space for Jax and Luciano’s relationship to grow even stronger. Day by day, they had become inseparable, building a rhythm together. They even took turns sleeping over at each other’s places—one week at Luciano’s, the next at Jax’s. It was smooth, natural, as if they had been doing it forever.

Luciano was in his office when his phone rang. Seeing his mother’s name flash across the screen made him smile immediately.

“Mamma,” he greeted warmly.

Her familiar voice carried through the line, full of love but also the weight of duty. She told him his grandfather was calling for a family reunion, a gathering of the entire De Luca bloodline. Attendance wasn’t optional.

“I’ll be there,” Luciano promised without hesitation. “And mamma… I miss you. A lot.”

His mother’s voice softened at that. They chatted for a while longer, slipping into an easy rhythm of son and mother before the call finally ended. Luciano sat back for a moment, his heart full. He rarely allowed himself to feel vulnerable, but his family always pulled that side out of him.

Meanwhile, Jax was drowning in work. A deal had taken up most of his days, keeping him away more than usual. But even in his absence, he made sure Luciano felt his presence—ordering meals, checking in through Nic, sending short but meaningful messages whenever he could. Luciano never doubted where his heart was.

That night, Luciano came home to Jax’s estate. The place was quiet, empty. He was used to this by now. Still, he couldn’t help but notice the dinner Jax had already arranged for him. He freshened up, ate alone, and then made his way upstairs to their room.

His phone buzzed with messages from his relatives—his cousins, his sister—all chattering excitedly about the reunion.

We can’t wait to see you!

So much to talk about, don’t be late.

Nonno says you’ll sit by him this time.

Luciano smiled as he replied, I can’t wait either. And…I might have someone I want you all to meet.

That set off a storm of replies. Who? Tell us! Don’t keep secrets! Give us a clue!

But Luciano only smirked at the screen, typing back, It’s a surprise. Then he set his phone on the nightstand.

The door opened just then, and Jax walked in. The air shifted immediately, his presence filling the room. Luciano stood, but before he could say a word, Jax leaned down and kissed him. It was soft but lingering, a kiss that said more than any greeting could.

“Give me a minute to freshen up,” Jax murmured against his lips before disappearing into the bathroom.

When he returned, his hair damp, shirt clinging slightly to his frame, he slid into bed and pulled Luciano into his arms. He let out a low groan, pressing his face into Luciano’s neck.

“God, how I missed you. Missed this,” Jax whispered, his grip tightening like he’d been starving for the contact.

Luciano chuckled softly, nestling closer. “How’s everything?”

“Over,” Jax replied, satisfaction lacing his tone. “And of course…I got the last laugh.”

Luciano smiled against his chest. “So that means you won’t be vanishing every other night anymore?”

Jax smirked. “No. Not for now.”

That made Luciano’s smile widen, warmth filling his chest. They exchanged updates—Luciano reassuring him that everything was fine with both his businesses, Jax warning him not to ever hesitate if he needed help.

“That’s what boyfriend benefits are for,” Luciano teased lightly.

Jax chuckled. “Damn right. If I don’t help my lover, who else would I help?”

They laughed together, but Luciano’s expression grew thoughtful. He tilted his head back to look into Jax’s eyes. “There’s something else. My family reunion is the day after tomorrow. I want you to come with me.”

Jax’s brow rose. “A family reunion? Are you sure I should be there?”

Luciano didn’t flinch. “You are family. So yes, you have to be there.”

For a moment, Jax just stared at him, silent. He had faced down death, enemies, entire syndicates without blinking, but this—being introduced to the De Luca family—felt heavier in a way he couldn’t describe. Still, the sincerity in Luciano’s eyes anchored him.

“Then I’ll be there,” Jax said finally.

Relief and pride lit up Luciano’s face. “Good. Then let me tell you a little about growing up in the De Luca family…”

And as the night deepened, Luciano began to share pieces of himself he rarely spoke of—stories of his childhood, the pressures of carrying the De Luca name, the warmth and the burdens that came with it. Jax listened intently, absorbing every word, preparing himself for what was to come.

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The next day came faster than Luciano expected. The morning sun spilled into Jax’s estate, golden light pooling across their bed. Luciano stirred first, rolling over to find Jax still asleep, his arm draped across him. For a man feared by many, he looked almost boyish in sleep, the harsh lines of his face softened. Luciano found himself smiling, brushing his fingers lightly across Jax’s jaw.

Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow I’ll take you home to them.

When Jax finally woke, it was to Luciano’s lips pressing against his cheek. He groaned low in his throat and pulled Luciano closer, unwilling to get up.

“Morning,” Luciano murmured.

“Mm. Morning.” Jax’s voice was husky, still heavy with sleep. “What time is it?”

“Time for you to stop lazing around,” Luciano teased, slipping out of his arms. “We have things to do.”

Jax raised a brow. “Things?”

Luciano smirked. “Yes. Unless you plan on walking into my family reunion tomorrow looking like a street fighter who wandered in by mistake.”

That earned him a sharp laugh from Jax, who sat up and stretched, his muscles flexing. “I could. They’d still know who I am.”

“True,” Luciano admitted, crossing the room to open the wardrobe. “But you’re also mine. Which means you’re going to look the part.”

The day slipped into a kind of ritual neither of them had expected. Luciano fussed over outfits—trying shirts against Jax’s frame, narrowing his eyes, rejecting most with a shake of his head. Jax endured it with surprising patience, though he muttered under his breath the entire time.

“I’m not a mannequin, Luc.”

“You’re worse,” Luciano countered, pushing another jacket into his arms. “You’re stubborn.”

“Mm. And you’re bossy.”

“You love it.”

That silenced Jax for a beat. Then, with a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, he admitted, “Yeah, I do.”

When they finally settled on an outfit—something sharp, dark, with just enough elegance to make Jax look untouchable yet refined—Luciano stood back and admired his work.

“My family’s going to talk,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

“Let them,” Jax replied simply. He walked over, tilting Luciano’s chin up so their eyes met. “I don’t care what they see. All that matters is you.”

That hit deeper than Luciano expected, warming him from the inside out. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to Jax’s. “Still. I want them to see you the way I do.”

Jax’s gaze softened. “Then they will.”

The rest of the day was lighter. Luciano went through his own wardrobe, choosing something elegant but not overly formal. He caught Jax watching him more than once, his eyes dark with quiet pride, and every time Luciano teased him about staring, Jax only smirked and didn’t deny it.

By evening, everything was ready. Clothes pressed. Shoes polished. Even Vince and Draco had been given instructions by Jax to keep things smooth for the following day.

As they lay in bed that night, Luciano nestled in Jax’s arms, he whispered, “Promise me you won’t lose your temper with my cousins. Some of them are…a lot.”

Jax chuckled, pressing a kiss into his hair. “I’ll behave. Unless they give me a reason not to.”

Luciano rolled his eyes. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

But Jax only tightened his hold, his voice steady and sure: “Don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll stand by you. Always.”

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