BILLIONAIRES VENDETTA

CHAPTER 11: A GROWING ATTRACTION

Natalie's POV:

I stood in the middle of the room, my bags scattered on the bed as I finished packing. My mind was still racing, trying to piece everything together. What was supposed to be a quiet getaway had turned into something far more complicated. Being married to Luca, a mafia boss, wasn’t something I could have ever predicted, and now, everything felt so surreal. The weight of the gun Joan had handed me felt heavier with every passing moment.

Just as I stuffed the last of my clothes into the bag, my phone buzzed. I checked the screen and saw Joan’s name.

“Hi, Joan,” I answered, trying to sound composed.

“Is everything ready, darling?” Her voice was warm but direct, like always.

“Almost. Just finishing up packing,” I said, folding a sweater carefully.

“Good,” she replied. “And remember what I told you. Carry that gun with you wherever you go. Luca’s business brings danger with it, and you need to be prepared for anything.”

I felt my chest tighten. “I won’t forget. I’ll keep it with me at all times.”

“Good. Take care of yourself. Don’t let anyone else handle your protection. Understand?”

“I understand. Thanks, Joan,” I said, ending the call. My fingers brushed over the gun in my bag, and I couldn’t help but feel a little scared. This wasn’t just a simple trip. I was walking deeper into Luca’s world, and there was no turning back now.

---

Luca’s POV:

I walked through the house, giving the final instructions to Adriano and Daniel. The business had to run smoothly while I was away, and I needed to ensure that everything was under control.

“Adriano,” I said, locking eyes with him, “stay here and handle the operations. Don’t let anything slip.”

He nodded without hesitation. “Of course, Luca. Everything will be fine.”

I turned to Daniel, who had been standing to the side, looking a little uneasy. He was trying to prove himself, but I wasn’t quite ready to give him my trust yet.

“Daniel,” I said, my voice firm, “keep an eye on security. Natalie’s safety comes first. You’re in charge of making sure nothing happens to my mum."

“I’ll do it, Luca. I promise,” Daniel responded, his voice steady but lacking the confidence I wanted to hear.

I didn’t say anything else, just nodded, and turned toward the door. They knew their roles. I didn’t need to waste time with pleasantries. “I’ll be in touch. Both of you know what to do.”

---

Natalie’s POV:

I walked through the private jet, my hand brushing against the smooth leather seats. My eyes kept darting to Luca as he walked beside me, his presence almost too much to take in. I had never been on anything this extravagant before, let alone one that belonged to Luca.

“Is this... your jet?” I asked, my voice almost a whisper.

He glanced at me with a knowing look in his eyes. “Si, è mio.” (Yes, it’s mine.)

I blinked in disbelief. “This is... amazing.”

I tried to hide my excitement, but it wasn’t working. I could feel the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of stepping into a life I didn’t know existed. Luca wasn’t just rich—he was untouchable. And now, I was a part of that world.

“Don’t get shocked by it,” he said, his voice low but teasing. “This is just the beginning.”

---

Luca’s POV:

Watching Natalie react to the jet was... unexpected. She was trying so hard to conceal her amazement, but I could see it in her eyes. It was adorable, in a way.

“I’ve never been on a jet before,” she said, as if she was trying to make herself sound normal.

“You’ll get used to it,” I replied, my voice low. I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to keep teasing her, but it seemed like the thing to do.

---

Natalie’s POV:

I couldn’t help but look around, my hands gripping the armrests as we soared through the clouds. Everything inside this jet screamed luxury—something I wasn’t used to at all. The leather, the polished wood, the overhead compartments that were as sleek as the rest of the plane.

“This is... unreal,” I said, my voice breathless.

Luca’s POV:

As we touched down, I could see Natalie’s eyes widening at the sight of the private airport. This wasn’t just a trip—this was a glimpse into my life. And, whether she liked it or not, she was now a part of it.

When we arrived at the hotel, I could see her taking everything in—the towering building, the luxury cars parked outside, and the subtle but powerful presence of security.

“Let me guess, this is your hotel?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.

“Si,” I replied, walking confidently toward the doors. “It’s one of mine.”

She looked up at the building, her gaze lingering on the windows. I could tell she was impressed, but she didn’t say it out loud. She didn’t need to. Her eyes said it all.

When we reached the suite, I could see her stepping inside, her jaw almost dropping. “This place is huge!” she exclaimed, moving to touch the polished countertops. “And... this is just our hotel room?”

I chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe. “It’s a suite. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”

“Comfortable?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Since when do you care? Anyways I'm in awe"

“I can see that,” I said, stepping inside. “Get used to it, bella.”

Her gaze shifted from the room to me, her eyes still wide. “I never thought I’d be staying in a place like this. It’s like something out of a dream.”

“I’m glad you like it,” I replied, feeling an unfamiliar tug in my chest. Her reaction was unexpected. It was refreshing, in a way, to see someone so taken by the life I had built. It wasn’t just a luxury; it was power. And she was beginning to understand that, even if she wasn’t fully aware of it yet.

---

Luca’s POV:

The next morning, I woke to the sound of the annoying alarm blaring from her phone beside me. I groaned, reaching over to silence it. I had barely closed my eyes for a few hours, but I didn’t have time to rest. There was business to take care of, and Natalie had to be with me.

As I sat up, I glanced over at her. She was still asleep, her body curled under the blankets, her hair splayed across the pillow. For a brief moment, I found myself just staring at her. Her peacefulness was unsettling. It was too pure for a world like this, and it made me feel something I wasn’t ready to confront.

The alarm blared again, and I groaned, putting it off once more. Natalie stirred, mumbling something under her breath.

“Not again,” she grumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

“We have a business meeting,” I said, my voice steady. “Get up.”

She groggily rubbed her eyes and sat up, still not fully awake. “A business meeting?” she repeated, confusion clouding her features.

“Yes,” I said, standing and walking toward the closet. “It’s at my company. And you’ll be with me. As my wife.”

I heard her sharp intake of breath as she processed the information. She looked at me, her eyes wide and questioning. “Wait, now?”

“Yes. We need to look the part.” I paused, turning to face her. “Now get up. The meeting will start soon.”

She nodded, rubbing her eyes. “I guess we can’t be late to this one.”

“No,” I said, walking toward the bathroom. “We can’t.”

As she moved toward the bathroom, I followed her with my eyes. The soft curve of her body as she walked away from me caught my attention, and I found myself frozen for a moment, just watching her.

This wasn’t supposed to be how things went. She was my wife now, but the attraction I felt was becoming harder to ignore. I clenched my fists, trying to shake off the feeling. Focus, Luca. Focus.

---

Natalie’s POV:

I stepped into the bathroom, the soft fabric of my robe swishing as I walked. I turned on the shower, letting the sound of water filling the air drown out the lingering tension. The reflection in the mirror felt foreign to me—an image of a woman in a life I hadn’t fully accepted yet. Married to Luca, a mafia boss. It seemed unreal, but there was no escaping it now.

I glanced at the door, knowing Luca was just outside. I felt his presence even without seeing him, and it made my heart beat a little faster. Was it because of the life I was suddenly thrust into, or was it something more?

I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt for him, but I refused to admit it. Not yet. I needed to get used to this new reality, to navigate my role as his wife. But the idea of being in the same room as him for more than just a business meeting? That was a different kind of challenge I wasn’t ready for.

I quickly changed into the robe, trying not to look at the mirror too much, not wanting to acknowledge the way my body seemed to react to him.

---

Luca’s POV:

I stepped into the bathroom to give her some space. But every movement she made, every soft noise she let slip, only made me more aware of her. The image of her in that robe lingered in my mind, distracting me.

I told myself to focus. There was a meeting waiting downstairs, and I had no time for distractions. But the fact that she was in that bathroom, so close, yet so far away, was doing something to me I didn’t know how to handle.

I heard her humming lightly as she adjusted herself, probably preparing for the day. The sound was peaceful—too peaceful. I had spent years cultivating a life of control, and yet, this woman had the power to make me lose it without even trying.

I exhaled sharply, trying to gather my thoughts. She was my wife, yes. But I had never expected it to be like this. Her innocence, her beauty—everything about her was pulling me in, and I didn’t know if I could stop it.

---

Natalie’s POV:

I stepped out of the bathroom after a few minutes, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get ready, to look the part for the business meeting Luca mentioned. But as soon as I walked into the room, I froze.

Luca was standing by the door, his eyes on me as if he had been waiting for me to finish. His gaze flicked over me, lingering for a second longer than I was comfortable with, and I felt my cheeks flush. There was something in the way he looked at me that made my stomach flutter.

He cleared his throat, shifting his stance. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice low and commanding.

I nodded quickly, feeling self-conscious. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” he replied, his eyes softening just slightly. “We leave in five minutes. Get your things.”

I walked toward the closet to gather my bag, but I couldn’t help the feeling that he was still watching me. It wasn’t just because of the meeting anymore. No, there was something else in the air now, something between us that neither of us knew how to handle.

---

Luca’s POV:

I watched as she moved around the room, my eyes tracing her every step. Her curves, the way she walked, the way she carried herself—it all sent something inside of me into overdrive.

I hated how much I was starting to care about this woman. This wasn’t part of the plan. She was supposed to be a pawn in the game, not a weakness I couldn’t seem to ignore.

But there she was, standing in front of me, her eyes bright, her lips parted slightly as she adjusted her bag. I couldn’t stop myself from admiring her.

She noticed me looking at her, and for a moment, I thought she might say something, but she didn’t. Instead, she looked away, clearly uncomfortable. I knew I needed to stop this—to stop the way I was reacting to her.

But as I turned to grab my coat and walk out, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for.

---

Natalie’s POV:

I gathered my things, trying to ignore the fact that Luca’s presence made me feel so… exposed. I wasn’t sure what was happening between us, but there was no denying the tension building with each passing moment. I wasn’t sure if I was just adjusting to this new life, or if there was something deeper stirring between us. Either way, I couldn’t let it get in the way of my duties. I had to remain strong.

We walked out of the suite, and as we made our way to the elevator, I felt Luca’s hand brush against mine. Just the lightest touch, but it made my heart skip a beat.

We entered the elevator, and Luca pressed the button for the lobby. He didn’t speak as the elevator descended, but I could feel his presence in the confined space. It was almost suffocating, the silence between us thick with unspoken words.

---

Luca’s POV:

As we stood in the elevator, I found myself closer to her than I should have been. Her presence was magnetic, and no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I couldn’t stop myself from being drawn to her.

The elevator dinged as we reached the lobby, and I took a step back, breaking the moment. I couldn’t afford to lose control. Not now, not with everything on the line.

But as I led her to the car waiting outside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing. Whether I liked it or not, she was starting to get under my skin.

---

Natalie’s POV:

When we arrived at the office, I was still trying to process everything. I had no idea what to expect from this meeting, or what Luca expected from me. But I knew one thing for sure—I had to keep up the act. I had to look like the wife he needed me to be.

Luca didn’t speak much as we entered the building, but his every movement seemed calculated, like he had the world under control. I had to remind myself that this was all part of the deal. I was his wife now, and this was my new reality.

As we walked into the meeting room, I could feel all eyes on us. They knew who I was, but I didn’t belong in their world. Yet here I was, standing by Luca’s side as his wife, trying to fit into a life that seemed so far removed from anything I had known before.

I glanced at him, wondering if he was thinking the same thing. He caught my eye, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something—something between us that neither of us could define.

---

Luca’s POV:

I sat across from Natalie, the meeting in full swing. I was listening to the men around me, but my mind kept drifting back to her. She was sitting there, looking more out of place than I had ever seen her. The tension between us was palpable, and I hated how it affected me.

But this wasn’t about feelings. It wasn’t about what was happening between us. It was about the business. The family. And I couldn’t let anything or anyone, especially not her, distract me from that.

I focused on the men speaking, nodding at the right times, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was about to change.

---

Natalie’s POV:

The meeting eventually ended, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But as we walked back to the car, I couldn’t ignore the way Luca’s eyes followed me. It was as if he was studying me, trying to figure out something he couldn’t quite place.

The drive back to the hotel was quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. I had no idea where this was going, but I knew one thing: things were changing, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what was coming next.

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Luca’s POV:

I glanced over at Natalie as we drove back. She was staring out of the window, her face unreadable. I couldn’t figure her out, and it drove me crazy. But there was something there, something I couldn’t deny.

I just had to hold it together, for both of us. I couldn’t let this—whatever it was—complicate the plan.

Not now.