Page 45 of Finding Love

Luca helps me to my feet, and I lean against him, letting him lead me out. He could lead me anywhere.

I know who I am and where I belong for the first time in weeks.

19

LUCA

It’s déjà vu in the best possible way.

Bringing her here again, I wasn’t sure it would bring her unwanted memories, but witnessing her joy as we walk along the beach hand-in-hand made me realize she’s made of stone and so much stronger than anyone I’ve ever known.

“I can’t wait to bring you back here during the season,” I tell her, pulling her close and placing a kiss against the side of her head. Her hair has started to come back, and I’ve heard Guilia talking about a pixie cut—whatever the hell that is. I then place another kiss on her hand over the scar, a permanent reminder of her ordeal. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her she’s beautiful no matter what her hair looks like, no matter what scars remain. It doesn’t change who she is.

Who she is is someone whose return to my life has given me new purpose. I can imagine a future again. A reason to keep going. All thanks to her.

She leans against me and puts an arm around my waist. “I kind of like it now,” she confesses. “Even if it’s still a little chilly. I like feeling like we have the whole beach to ourselves.”

“I know what you mean.” However, I’m unable to resist her ass before winking. “Maybe I just want to show you off.”

A devilish gleam touches her eyes when she grins up at me. “Oh, since you put it that way…” She’s giggling by the time I take hold of her, lifting her off her feet and swinging her in a half circle dangerously close to the approaching surf.

It’s magic, pure and simple. When we’re here, I can let go of everything else. Granted, there are still guys watching us from a safe distance, and there will be until this bullshit with Vitali is settled.

Emilia must notice my change in demeanor when I set her on her feet, since she frowns up at me before cupping my cheek with one hand. “What is it?” she asks, searching my face.

I glance over my shoulder to where Vinny watches the area from further down the beach. “I was wondering how long it will be before we can loosen things up a little, that’s all.”

She nods, her brow crinkling. “You said your dad thinks things could get settled any day now, right?”

He did, but it does not make me feel better. Not that he would explain why he holds that belief. Even Dante is frustrated as fuck, swearing up and down. He doesn’t know what our father has in mind. That might be the only slight consolation in the middle of all this. Knowing my brother is as deep in the dark as I am and how crazy it drives him.

We continue our walk, and I nod firmly, determined not to worry her. “He did. I believe him. Hopefully, he can work something out with Giorgio.” Word has it Giorgio Vitali rallied after he got word of a few things his son was hiding from him, including his penchant for abducting and torturing young women. Not that the Vitali family ever shied away from violence, but there are lines we don’t cross in our world. Like Papa, Giorgio is old-school. He believes in standards. What a shame he couldn’t raise his son to give a shit about those values.

“Either way…” she concludes, “… we are okay. We are going to be fine. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t need to keep reminding me of that.” However, I do appreciate hearing it. Losing her was every nightmare come to life, and getting her back was the answer to prayers I don’t deserve to have answered. I’m not a good man. I’ve done terrible things. Yet somehow, someone up there decided I deserved her.

“There won’t come a minute when I don’t treat this like a gift,” I murmur mostly to myself while coming to a stop near the surf’s edge, taking her hands in mine.

She offers a confused smile. The morning sunlight makes her eyes sparkle. “What do you mean?”

Great. Now that I’ve said it, I can’t pretend I didn’t. “There’s a reason I’m better at writing letters than I am at saying these things out loud,” I remind her with a wry chuckle.

“You’re much better at expressing yourself than you think you are.” She runs her thumbs over my fingers, grinning playfully. “Go on. Tell me what you meant.”

“It’s actually pretty simple.” I draw nearer, my nose touching hers. She smells like vanilla and powdered sugar from our breakfast, and underneath it is a unique scent that belongs only to her. Delectable. “I lost you. I got you back, and I’m never going to take you for granted. Not for a single minute. I can’t promise you’re always going to like the things I do.”

“I know,” she whispers, but she hasn’t pulled away. If anything, she leans in closer.

“So long as you always know they’re for you. And hopefully, one day…” I trail off when my throat closes up.

A smile begins to stir the corners of her full mouth. “Yes? Complete the thought,” she teases.

I might scowl, but I don’t mean it. “You’re going to bust my balls, aren’t you? You’re bound and determined,” I growl out.

She looks down at my crotch, then back up at me. “Actually, I happen to like your balls the way they are.”

“Yeah, you do.” I brush my lips against hers, and her happy sigh makes me do it again. “But I mean it. One day, when we have a family, the things I do will be for them too. For all of us.”

---