Page 45 of Luca

“Being related to someone by blood or marriage has never meant the same in my family as it has in yours.”

“Exactly. It doesn’t mean the same thing. So when I tell you you’re safe, please believe I’m saying that as the man who married you to make sure you stay that way. I wouldn’t bring you here if I didn’t know for certain I can keep that promise.” I reach over and cover her hand with mine. “Giada?” I prompt when she doesn’t move a muscle.

When her eyes meet mine, there’s still fear in them, but there’s a flicker of certainty that she knows I’m telling her the truth. I can work with that.

“Okay,” she breathes out. “Introduce me to your cousin.”

I squeeze her clammy palm once more for a little extra reassurance, then step out of the car and walk to her side of the SUV to open the door for her. As soon as she stands, the elevator door opens, and Finn steps into the garage.

He walks to where we’re standing and wraps me in a hug. “I’m glad to see you, cousin.” Finn pats my back twice then releases me, turning his attention to Giada. “Finn Monaghan,” he introduces, a smile playing on his lips as he holds his hand out for her to shake.

If the tension rolling off Giada wasn’t breaking my heart, I would laugh at the surprise in her eyes at the warm greeting my cousin is giving her. So different from what thoughts I’m sure are swirling in that beautiful head of hers.

“Giada Cataldi.”

I clear my throat and she gives me a small smile.

“I mean Giada Bennetti.”

Finn looks between the two of us and smiles even wider while shaking his head. “You two really know how to make an exit,” he says, humor in his voice.

“Have you heard anything yet?”

“No. Not that I expect to. You were my only line inside the family. With you gone, we’re blind.”

“I’d say I’m sorry about that—”

“Yeah, yeah.” He waves a hand in front of him. “You did what you had to do. I’d have done the same if I were in your shoes. Come on.” Finn tilts his head toward the elevator. “I’ll have my guy update the keypad with your handprints so you can come and go as you please, though I wouldn’t suggest leaving the penthouse anytime soon. Carlo and the Russians are sure to be on the lookout for this one,” he says, pointing his thumb at Giada.

“Thank you,” she tells Finn. “For letting me come here. I know this puts you in a dangerous situation.”

He looks between my new wife and me before settling his gaze back on her. “You’re family now,” he replies as though it explains everything. To him, it does. For her, it’s going to take a little time for that not to be a meaningless word.

We head into the elevator and Finn shows us into the spacious loft-style penthouse with exposed brick walls and huge windows letting in the natural sunlight of the early afternoon.

His wife, Alessia, is sitting on the couch, and when she turns, her face breaks into a wide smile. She stands and comes over to Giada. “So good to see you again,” she says, holding out her hand. “I don’t know if you remember me, but we met years ago. Gosh, you were maybe eight?”

Giada nods as relief washes over her. I’m sure she was nervous about seeing the woman in front of her after what her brother tried to do not that long ago. “I remember. It was at your family’s Christmas party. I loved the tiara you had on, and you let me wear it for the night.”

Alessia laughs at the memory, and I smirk. “So I wasn’t far off in calling you princess.”

Giada shoots me a narrow look. “I was eight, and it was sparkly.”

Finn’s phone rings and he takes the call, his brow furrowed. When he hangs up Alessia’s concerned look has me on edge.

“What is it?” she asks her husband.

“It was one of the guards.”

“Is it my brother?” Giada asks, fear lacing her words.

“No,” Finn replies. “It’s mine.” His eyes find mine. “And my mother.”

I guess it’s a good day for a wedding and a family reunion.

Moments later the front door swings open, and an older version of a woman that looks so much like my mother barges in, with a younger man who is obviously her son trailing behind.

“You have a lot of nerve, Finnegan Monaghan. How dare you keep such a secret from me?”

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