"Bye, Luca," one of the women calls out as they pass by us.
Yep, they’re used to seeing Luca waiting for me in the wings each night when we finish. He’s a Sovrano, so no one stops him from lurking in the wings where he watches my performance each night. The danger of Freddie being after the Sovranos may have passed, but Luca insists, he’s more reassured if he continues to watch over me. He also still has bodyguards in place to accompany me when he’s not around. I can’t complain, though. It’s not only the orgasms he keeps me replete with. He’s tender, affectionate, attentive, everything I’d hoped to find in my soul mate. He carries me off stage and into my dressing room.
Normally, I'd share one with the other actresses, but Luca secured one for me and insisted I use it. Initially, I didn't want to, but he said it would be the best way to protect me against any future threats and I hadn't protested. I didn't like that he used his influence to provide me with amenities, but given the choice between that and putting his life at risk again? Yeah, I took the dressing room.
Once inside, he lowers me to my feet, then spins me around and presses me against the door. He runs his nose up the side of my face. "Mmm. I missed you," he says huskily.
"I was only gone for three hours." I laugh.
"Three hours too long." He brushes his lips over mine. "You taste so fucking sweet, Mrs. Sovrano."
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being called that, either.
He brushes his knuckle across my cheek. "You’re glowing."
"And you’re… smiling." I trace the curve of his lips. "It’s a good look on you."
He chuckles. "Turns out, being married to the right woman is good for me, too."
"Careful, Mr. Grumpy Pants, if you smile too much, you’re in danger of losing that title to Massimo." I link my fingers with his. "Speaking of, is he actually going to go through with the engagement to thatCamorraprincess?"
"Seems that way." He brings my fingers to his lips and kisses them.
"We need to head to their engagement party."
He groans. "Do we?"
"Yes, we do." I rub my fingers over the dark, granite band he wears around the ring finger of his left hand—one I picked out for him, which has the words "Property of Jeanne" scrawled on it.
He hadn’t refused. Turns out, my man is more than happy with my declaration of ownership. He’s far more romantic than he gave himself credit for.
"Maybe we can skip it and no one will miss us?"
"Fat chance." I scoff. "Karma specifically told me to come by. Given you are the last Sovrano brother to get married, and theirCapo, you need to be there."
"Given I am not going to be theCapofor much longer, and that theCosa Nostrais well on its way to legalizing its last business, maybe we can cry off. Besides, Massimo is the main person. As long as he turns up, and Michael’s there to solemnize things on behalf of theCosa Nostra,everything should be fine."
"Do you mind the fact that it’s Michael and not you who gets to formalize this arrangement?" I ask.
Luca curls a strand of my hair around his fingers as he thinks. "No," he finally says, sounding surprised. "No, I don’t. For a long time, I wanted to be Don, then I met you and realized I had my priorities all wrong. I latched onto the notion of being Don because I thought it’d make me happy. I didn’t realize having a title was empty unless I had the right woman beside me. And then, when I had the right woman with me, I realized everything else is secondary."
He cups my cheek.
"Are you sad about things changing within theCosa Nostra?"
"No," he replies without hesitation. "Nothing can stay the same. And if one doesn’t change, one dies. Besides, your safety is my priority. And this way, the risks to your life is greatly reduced. That’s more important to me."
"So, you won’t miss it then?"
He tilts his head. "I won’t miss it because I carry the concept of what theCosa Nostrais about inside of me." He brings our joined fingers to his heart. "Unity, family, loyalty to my brothers. Giving my life up for what I believe in, which is you. You are my belief, my religion, my faith, my hope, my future. All of my dreams rest in you."
Tears prick the backs of my eyes. "You’re going to make me cry."
He bends his knees and presses his mouth to mine. He deepens the kiss until I’m panting for my breath, until my head is swimming, until all thoughts drain from my mind. "Better?" he whispers against my lips.
I nod, chest heaving.
"Good, then let’s find my brothers."