DANGEROUSLY YOURS MR.VALE

CHAPTER 8

Chapter 8

Sienna’s Pov

The safe house felt warmer with Noah there. I woke up to the smell of coffee and found Luca in the small kitchen, talking quietly with my brother. Noah looked tired but relieved, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. I hugged him again, holding on a little longer this time.

“I’m really okay, Sienna,” Noah said, pulling back with a shy smile. “Thanks to you and… him.” He glanced at Luca, who nodded back respectfully.

Luca came over and slipped an arm around my waist, drawing me close. “Family first,” he said softly. His touch was gentle, sending that familiar flutter through my chest. Even after everything, mornings with him felt like a gift.

We sat together at the table, sharing a simple breakfast of toast and eggs that Marco had prepared. Luca’s hand stayed on my knee under the table, his thumb drawing small circles that made me smile. “Last night was real,” he whispered when Noah stepped away to call a friend. “You, me, saying those words. I keep thinking about it.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Me too. I love you, Luca. It still surprises me how fast this feels right.” He turned and kissed me softly, his lips warm and unhurried. It was the kind of kiss that promised quiet days ahead, full of hope. His fingers brushed my cheek as we pulled apart, eyes locked in that way that made the rest of the world fade.

After breakfast, we moved to the living area. Noah joined us, looking nervous but determined. “I want to help,” he said. “I got us into this mess. Let me make it right somehow.”

Luca listened patiently, his arm around me on the couch. “You don’t owe us anything, Noah. But staying safe and trusting the plan—that helps more than you know.” I squeezed Luca’s hand, grateful for how kind he was being. This man, who had lived with so many secrets, was opening up space for my brother like it mattered.

The day passed slowly in the best way. We talked for hours about normal things—dreams, favourite foods, and little memories that had nothing to do with danger or revenge. Luca told Noah stories about Isabella playing piano, his voice soft and warm. I watched him, my heart full. Every time our eyes met, he gave me that small smile meant just for me.

In the afternoon, Luca pulled me aside into the quiet bedroom. He closed the door gently and wrapped me in his arms. “I needed a moment alone with you,” he murmured against my hair. “All this planning… it means nothing without you.”

I hugged him back, careful of his healing shoulder. “I’m right here. I'm not going anywhere.” We stood like that, swaying slightly, before he tilted my chin up for a kiss. This one was deeper, slower, and filled with all the love we were still discovering. His hands rested on my back, holding me like I was precious. I ran my fingers through his dark hair, losing myself in the feeling of being wanted, truly wanted.

When we broke apart, breathless, he rested his forehead on mine. “I used to think revenge was everything. Now I see a life after it—with you. Waking up together, building something real. Maybe even…” He paused, a shy look crossing his face. “A family someday.”

My heart skipped. “I’d like that,” I whispered, kissing him again lightly. “A real home. No more pretending.” We talked quietly about the future—small things like Sunday mornings and big ones like travelling once everything settled. His voice grew tender as he described showing me places from his real past, away from the Vale name. I shared my dreams of writing a book that wasn’t about exposing people but about hope.

“You’re changing me, Sienna,” he said, pulling me down to sit on the edge of the bed with him. “For the better. I don’t feel so cold anymore.” I curled into his side, his arm around me, and we stayed like that, talking and stealing kisses. Each touch felt like building trust, like turning our fake marriage into something beautiful.

Marco knocked later with updates. “Roman kept his word. Noah’s clear. We can move to a better location soon if you want.”

Luca nodded, but his focus stayed on me. “We’ll decide together.” He laced our fingers as we rejoined the others. Noah smiled, seeing us like that. “You two look good together,” he said quietly.

The evening brought more quiet moments. Luca and I cooked dinner side by side—nothing fancy, just pasta and sauce. He bumped my hip playfully, making me laugh. “Who knew the big bad impostor could chop vegetables?” I teased.

He grinned and stole a quick kiss. “Only for you.” Dinner was warm and full of easy conversation. Afterwards, we all watched an old movie on the laptop, Luca’s arm around me the whole time. His fingers played with mine, and every so often he’d press a soft kiss to my temple. Noah fell asleep halfway through, giving us privacy again.

Back in our room, Luca held me close under the covers. “I love you,” he said simply, his voice low in the dark. “Not because of any deal. Because you’re strong and kind and you see the real me.”

“I love you too,” I replied, snuggling closer. We kissed goodnight, slow and sweet, full of promise. His hand stroked my hair until I drifted off, feeling safer than I had in years.

The next morning, plans continued calmly. We discussed reaching out to Clara Vale carefully, Luca explaining how she might be an ally. I added my thoughts from my journalist side, and he listened like we were true partners. Between talks, he found ways to touch me—a hand on my back, a stolen kiss in the hallway. “Can’t keep my hands off you,” he admitted with a soft laugh.

“You don’t have to,” I said, pulling him in for another. Romance wove through our days now, gentle and growing. No rush, just us learning each other.

As the sun set, Luca stood with me by the window. “Whatever comes with Victor or the real Damian, we’ll face it side by side. My heart is yours, Sienna.”

“Mine is yours,” I whispered back.