Page 60 of One Savage Union

“Fucking Ricci bastard.” Rocco clenches his teeth and whispers under his breath. “Lucia, trust me. I’ve met the man, and it’s his loss, not yours.

That makes me smile, and he looks pleased with himself.

“If I didn't think it would start a war, I'd kill the man myself for hurting you.”

I pull away and look at him.”

“What! I don't want you to kill my father, Rocco.”

He chuckles. “I know. Just know I’ll do anything for you, including kill anyone who hurts you. You're mine, Lucia, and I take care of what’s mine. I'll never break your heart, at least not on purpose.”

I look into his eyes, trying to find the truth in his words. “But what if you're the one who hurts me?

He looks wounded by my insinuation. He reaches his hand out and rubs my cheek. How could I hurt you, mia cara?”

“By lying to me,” I answer quickly. “By telling me all these things and not meaning a word.”

His hand squeezes my hip underneath the covers. “Lucia, I’ve told you. I don't lie, and I would never lie to you.”

I look into his ice blue eyes. “So, this whole marriage, you've only told me the truth?”

He pauses, and at first, I think he's going to confess something. Then his face relaxes into the stone surety I've come to expect. “No, Lucia, I've never lied to you. I've only told you the truth because that was the best way to keep you safe. You needed to know the score. I don't know what's happening between Lucia and me, and I'm not even entirely sure of what I'm feeling. I don't have flowery words or confessions of love, but I do know you're becoming the most important thing to me and that I will never let the world harm you. I'd rather cut out my own heart than break yours.”

For the first time, I pull him into me and kiss him with all my might. I take charge, and he lets me as my tongue delivers long strokes to his mouth. I want him, and I push him flat on his back.

“Well, husband, for that declaration, I think you deserve a ride.”

He places his hands behind his head and gives me a boyish grin. “Oh, I deserve much more than that and I plan to get everything owed to me out of that beautiful ass of yours.”

I chuckle as I slide down his body wanting to taste him first, but a loud siren goes off and I jump off the bed. Rocco whispers, “Get down.”

I obey immediately and lie flat on my stomach next to the bed. He pulls on a pair of boxers and reaches behind the headboard. He pulls a Glock out and stalks towards the door.

God, there's probably guns and ammunition all over this boat. But right now, I’m grateful for the NRA and all its intense lobbying.

“You stay here,” Rocco hisses. “Don't move until I come and get you.”

I nod as tears come down my face. He runs over and bends down to kiss my head. “No tears, Lucia, I will protect you.” Then he’s gone.

This is the second time we've been attacked amid making love, and I can't help but think it's some omen. I stayed down for about twenty minutes, and I heard nothing, no noise. Ten minutes more and the silence is becoming too much. What if he’s hurt? Why hasn’t anyone busted into this room to get me if he’s down?What if it's Leo?!

I can't just stay here. He told me to, but it doesn't feel safe anymore. There have to be more guns in this room somewhere. Slowly, I stand up and look around. Sure enough, I find a safe. I think about what the combination could be and remember Aria telling me her birthday was March 4th. She was born in 2018. I turn the numbers on the dial until I hear a satisfactory click, and then it opens.

Sure enough, there's another Glock and a smaller pistol. Seeing that I've never shot anything in my life; I think the gun is my best bet. I throw on a robe and tiptoe out of the room.

The closer I get to the great room where we made love on top of the piano, the more I hear voices.

One voice is that of my husband, and the other I don't recognize. Their voices are growing louder, and the stranger is becoming increasingly agitated. I hold the gun tight, thinking I might have to shoot.

What if I have to save my husband's life?

But then I hear the unknown voice say something that knocks the breath out of my chest.

“Bring me my daughter Fieri. You can't keep me from Lucia any longer. I told you I was coming for her. She belongs to me, I'm her blood.”

Then my world shatters, again.

21

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