Page 44 of Sins of the Father
Mia settled into a sun-warmed wicker chair and accepted a glass of juice. They were alone, and conversation flowed easily, light and teasing. Gabriella’s laughter was infectious, bright as the sunlight glinting on the sea.
Mia found herself admiring her cousin-in-law’s ease. How could she live in this dangerous world, laughing so freely, appearing so happy in a life shadowed by power and blood? And beneath it all, the memory of Luc whispered insistently, a reminder that even the brightest morning carried its own fire.
As the meal lingered, laughter faded into a comfortable silence. The sea breeze lifted strands of Mia’s hair, carrying the scent of salt and jasmine through the air. Gabriella poured them each another glass of wine, her tone still light but threaded with something more deliberate.
“You’re glowing,” she said, eyes glinting over the rim of her glass. “Luc must be treating you well.”
Mia smiled faintly, unsure how to answer. “He is…complicated.”
Gabriella’s laugh was low and knowing. “That’s one word for it.” She leaned back, her chair creaking softly. “I’ve never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
Mia’s heart stuttered. “How does he look at me?”
“Like he wants to devour you whole.”
Heat rose to Mia’s cheeks, and Gabriella giggled at her reaction.
“You’re married to a man most people fear to even speak to,” Gabriella went on. “But you don’t look afraid when you’re with him. That tells me he shows you something the rest of us never see—tenderness.”
Mia’s fingers tightened around her glass. “You say that as if I should be frightened.”
“Oh, not frightened.” Gabriella tilted her head, studying her. “Just aware. The men in our family aren’t made for peace, Mia. They build with one hand and destroy with the other. Luc…” She paused, her expression softening. “He’s different, though. I love him, but he’s cold. Calculating. I used to think he was incapable of love.”
Mia’s pulse quickened. “Do you still believe that?”
Gabriella’s smile turned wistful. “I’m not sure anymore. He’s different with you. I caught him smiling at you three times today. That’s practically a miracle. He’s capable of loyalty, maybe even tenderness. But love?” She exhaled. “If he ever gives it, it’ll be the kind that consumes… and leaves nothing untouched.”
The waves crashed against the shore, echoing the ache that tightened Mia’s chest. She stared at the horizon, unsure what frightened her more—the idea that he might never love her, or that he might love her too much.
Gabriella reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Be careful, cousin. You’re not just his wife now. You’re part of the Valachi legacy. In this world, your heart isn’t the only thing at risk.”
Mia managed a small smile, though the warning clung to her like salt in the air.
“Mama and I are going to Italy for a few weeks. Would you like to come with us?”
“Perhaps another time.” Mia smiled faintly. She wanted to stay, to learn the man who was her husband, to peel back his layers one by one. That kind of knowing couldn’t come from running away.
They laughed and chatted for another hour before Gabriella was called away for a phone call. Left alone, Mia wandered through the quiet halls until she found herself in the library. Sunlight streamed through tall, arched windows, glinting off rows of polished shelves lined with leather-bound volumes and first editions. She trailed her fingers along the spines, plucked a book at random, and sank into a velvet armchair by the window. Within moments, the world around her vanished, lost in a story of alien romance and impossible love.
The soft chime of her phone startled her. With a small sigh, Mia reached into her pocket. Luc’s name lit up her screen like a secret she didn’t dare hope for. She read the text:
Come with me to the movies tonight.
She read it three times before a smile curved her lips. Their wedding night had been… overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying. And when she hadn’t seen him all day, uncertainty had pressed on her chest like a weight she couldn’t shake.
Yes,
She typed.
What are we seeing?
Retro movie night. Jurassic Park. The first one. Apparently, there are several.
Mia laughed softly, warmth blooming through her.
What time are we going?
Be ready by eight.
