Page 63 of Luca

“I’m a little nervous about spending time with your family, to be honest.” I turn my head toward him and look at his flushed face.

“I know, sweetheart.”

The first time we met, everyone seemed friendly, but I’d be lying if I said the years I was programmed to hate the Irish didn’t leave me with lingering doubts. And I fucking hate that. I have to remind myself nearly every day that I was lied to my entire life by a man who wasn't my father, who basically stole me for his own gain. Nothing he told me was true.

The Irish aren’t the monsters I’ve always been led to believe. I lived with the real monsters.

“Come on,” I say after standing in the living room for a few moments while Luca rubs small circles with his thumb over my belly. “Let's get cleaned up.”

When we pull up to the Monaghan’s large two-story house painted white with black shutters, several cars are already in the drive.

“Full house,” I mumble.

“Think of it this way; it takes the pressure off us a bit.”

“I don’t think that’s possible. I’m the daughter of the Monaghans and the Amattos’ number one enemy, and you're the long-lost cousin who’s secretly been trying to take down my family. But sure, we can go with that.”

“Look at me, Giada.”

I turn my body toward Luca, who I'm sure is facing the same nerves as me, and here I am, thinking about how I’m being affected and not my husband. I’m really killing it with this whole wife thing.

“We’re Luca and Giada Bennetti. None of what you said defines us. It may be our circumstances, but it’s not who we are.”

“Who are we?” I whisper.

“We’re figuring it out.” He leans over the console and places a soft kiss on my lips. “Come on, sweetheart. I got you.”

When we knock on the door, Maeve opens it with a wide smile on her face. Looking into her blue gaze, I see what everyone says about the Monaghan eyes. Luca, Eoghan, and Finn all share the same blue eyes.

“Come in, come in,” Maeve says, leaning in to give Luca a hug, then me.

“They would if you gave them a chance to step through the door, love,” Cormac comments, stepping behind his wife.

Maeve playfully smacks him in the arm. “I’m excited. Sue me.”

Cormac laughs and gently pulls his wife out of the way before stepping to the side to allow us entrance.

Walking into the large family room, I spot Alessia and Finn on the couch, with Gemma sitting across from them next to Lilliana Amatto and her husband, Mario. Eoghan is perched on the arm of the couch next to Gemma, who seems to be leaning away from him and doing her best to ignore his presence. The group sees us in the doorway, and everyone stands, welcoming Luca and me with kind smiles. When Lilliana and Mario greet us, their expressions are open and warm.

Lilliana leans in and kisses both of my cheeks. “Congratulations on your marriage, Giada,” she says in her light Italian accent. “Mario and I were thrilled when we heard the news.”

I smile in her direction, not really knowing what to say and wondering if she’s aware of the circumstances surrounding our union.

Mario leans in next, kissing both cheeks like the Italians do. “It’s good to see you again, Giada. Happy to have you here.”

“I’m going to check in with the cook. Dinner should be just about ready,” Maeve announces and walks out of the room.

“Drink?” Eoghan offers, walking to the small bar against the wall.

“I’ll have a glass of red wine if you have it,” I reply, and Luca asks for whiskey.

Small talk ensues, mostly about sports. Turns out Alessia and Mario are huge Red Sox fans and Finn is a die-hard Yankees fan.

“I’m sorry, Papa. You have no idea how hard I’ve tried to convert him. Please don’t hold it against him. I’m sure in time he’ll see the light,” Alessia jokes with her dad.

“I just don’t understand how you can be born and raised in Boston and like”—Mario fake coughs—“the Yankees.”

“He’s a disgrace to the family,” Eoghan interjects. “See, Alessia? You chose the wrong brother.”

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