Luca

3 - A walk in the garden

Luca

I don’t know what came over me, but the moment I saw Sofia, I knew what I had to do. I had to claim her for my own. She looks amazing in that red dress; those curves in all the right places could drive a man insane.

Dray showed no interest in Sofia; in fact, his discomfort was obvious—he kept glancing away and fidgeting, almost like he'd throw up. That’s why I told my brother not to worry, and that I’d take his place. Dray hesitated, uncertainty flashing across his face, but Dad had yet to tell Romano which of us would marry his daughter. I felt a thrill at the possibility—Sofia barely looked at anyone else, her gaze always finding me.

Dray only agreed when I told him I wanted Sofia like my next breath. I felt possessive, ready to fight a damn lion to claim her. Dray said Dad wouldn’t approve. Claiming the enemy’s daughter never ends well, and I’d get us both in trouble with Don. I told him I’d take the blame and asked if he really wanted to marry a woman he didn’t want. Dray shook his head and agreed to let me take his place.

Dad will kill me for this—I can almost feel the sick dread in my stomach already. Not only was this his chance to get Romano where he wanted him, but it was also his chance to try and straighten out his rogue son. I love my brother so much it hurts, but my heart aches at the thought of that sweet, innocent little girl trapped in a life with a man who will never be faithful. I can’t let that happen, no matter the cost. Not only that, but Dray would frighten her every moment they were together. There is a girl out there, someone who can handle the way my brother is. But that girl is not Sofia.

Why would I want to marry a woman I might not even get along with?

Because I saw something special in Sofia’s eyes when I looked at her. I felt something zing through me when our hands touched. I can make this marriage work – I will make this work.

I lead Sofia out to the garden behind the house. It’s filled with flowers, the landscape like a work of art. My mother designed it while pregnant with Dray and me, and it’s a sight to behold.

Sofia walks ahead of me, and I can’t help noticing the tightness of her body. The pertness of her heart-shaped ass has my dic.k stiffening in my pants! I’m going to enjoy teaching this little girl a few things in the bedroom. I’m not saying she’s a virgin, but I can tell one innocent from one experienced.

“Oh, wow!” Sofia’s giggle snaps me out of thought. I smile as she rushes to my mother’s pink rose bush. I’ve never seen anyone so happy to smell flowers.

I walk over to Sofia. She’s so absorbed in smelling the buds, smiling, that she doesn’t see me reach toward her. I tuck her loose hair behind her ear. She doesn’t flinch; she simply turns to me, still smiling.

Jesus, she’s beautiful in a classic way – a real Italian beauty. I already can’t bear the thought that Dray would have married Sofia, had his hands all over her, and stolen kisses when no one was looking. I feel like a wolf about to claim his mate, and God help anyone who tries to take her from me!

“You like flowers, sweetheart?”

Sofia nods her head. My fingers still linger on her cheek; her skin is so soft, so perfect. “I love being in gardens like this one. I love being outside.” That much shines in her eyes.

I hope the house my father picked out for Sofia and Dray – now Sofia and me - has a big garden. I want Sofia to be happy. I know this marriage is an arrangement of two families, one that will help my father take down Sofia’s, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want the best for the woman who will be sharing my life. I want to see this smile on her face every time she steps outside.

The knot in my stomach at knowing she’ll lose her father makes me feel sick. She’ll hate me when the inevitable happens, unless I can make her fall in love with me. I’ll make Sofia understand what a monster her father is, and just why mine had to end his reign of terror. Because in all honesty, I’m not sure how much Sofia knows about her father’s business. Not all children within families like ours know everything that goes on. Those kids know that their fathers are dangerous, but the business itself stays private. Of course, they’ll hear rumors, but no one ever clarifies the truth. Most are quite happy to stay oblivious. Romano does not strike me as the type of man to tell his daughter anything.

“Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself, Sofia? I’d at least like to know a few of your likes and dislikes before we’re married.”

“Oh,”

How is it fair that she’s this beautiful?

Fuc.k, and I wasn’t going to be home for this. I was supposed to be in Vegas for a few more days on business. I only came home early because something in my gut told me that my brother needed me. We’re in no way telepathic, but we get feelings, and they’re never wrong.

“Well, I like gardens and flowers,” she smiles, and so do I. “I like dogs. I liked working at the shelter with them. I don’t like the smell of cigarette smoke, and I don’t like that I won’t have a life of my own once we’re married. Not that I have one now,” I narrow my eyes as she sighs to herself. “I’m sorry, Luca, I had no right to say that.”

“Go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind, sweetheart. That’s what this talk is for: to get it all out there before we’re married. I don’t think either of us should go into this blind. Nothing will get back to your father, I can promise you that. I know you don’t know me yet, but you can trust me, Sofia.”

I fear what this arrangement might mean for Sofia. Despite my father’s motives for this marriage, I already know I can’t let her go once this is over. A mix of protectiveness and longing swells within me; I want her to enter this new life unburdened by fear or regret, determined to give her a sense of security and belonging.

She nods. “Well, I’m just wondering if I’ll be able to work when we’re married. If not, am I going to be stuck at home? I really want to work.”

“At the shelter?” I ask.

“Yes,” she nods. “I was a volunteer there until my father put a stop to it. He put a stop to everything.” She sighs while folding her arms around her stomach. “Papa told me that college would be a waste of my time and his money, so he didn’t allow me to go. What’s the point when all women are good for is being a housewife and making babies?”

Jesus, is this guy stuck in the dark ages, or what?

You’ve heard the stories, Luca. Romano is a cunt of the worst kind. He’s vile to women. Why would his daughter be the exception?

My father raised my brother and me to know how to treat the woman who would become our wife. Regardless of how bad Dray can be, if he fell in love and wanted to get married, he would treat his wife like a Queen, the way Dad treats Mom.

There are limits to what the women in our lives can do. They must be protected at all costs. However, that does not mean we should take everything from them. Women need some freedom, even if they are followed around by bodyguards every moment for the rest of their lives.

Roberto Romano strikes me as the type of man who would lock his wife away, never letting her have any kind of life. That’s probably why he no longer has a wife.

I will not treat Sofia like my prisoner. Never!