Page 59 of Kidnapped By the Mafia

Tears blur my vision as I take the necklace from his hand, my fingers trembling. “Mom’s necklace,” I whisper, running my thumb over the familiar pendant.

The weight of it in my hand is almost too much, the memories flooding back, mingling with the overwhelming relief that I’m here, that I’m alive, that Lucas is with me.

“Thank you, Lucas,” I manage to say, my voice breaking. “This means more than you could ever know.”

He watches me fasten the necklace around my neck, his expression softening, and I see the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. But there’s something else in his eyes, something I’ve never seen before—something that makes my heart ache in the best possible way.

“Let’s go home,” he says suddenly, the words slipping out as if he hadn’t planned them. There’s a vulnerability in his voice, as if he’s not sure how I’ll respond, as if he’s offering me something more than just a place to stay.

Home. The word hangs between us, heavy with meaning. For so long, I haven’t had a place that felt like home, haven’t had someone who made me feel like I belonged. But now, looking into Lucas’s eyes, I realize that maybe, just maybe, I’ve found it.

“Home?” I repeat softly, searching his face, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling between us.

He nods, his grip on me tightening slightly, as if he’s afraid I’ll slip away. “Your home or mine?”

I shake my head, my heart swelling with something I’ve never quite felt before—something that feels like hope. “Ours,” I say, the single word filled with all the promise of a future I never thought I’d have.

43

EMILY

One month later…

It’s been weeks since Albrecht died, but the repercussions are still rippling outward. The brothels shut down, the card skimming operations long gone. The city is a safer place.

Even the cops are happy as the war between the two families was regularly leaving them to clean up the mess.

In that time, Lucas has become even more protective, if that’s even possible. He watches over me like a hawk, always making sure I’m safe, always keeping me close.

It’s sweet, and sometimes a little overwhelming, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I know how much he cares, how much he loves me, even if he doesn’t always say it.

This morning, as we get ready for my latest doctor’s appointment, I can feel tension in him. His hand rests on the small of my back as he guides me to the car, his eyes scanning the street like he’s expecting something to jump out at us.

It’s almost funny, how serious he looks, but I know better than to laugh. This is how he shows he cares—by protecting me with everything he has.

“Lucas, it’s just a doctor’s appointment,” I tease, leaning into him as we walk.

He glances down at me, his expression softening just a bit. “I’m not taking any chances,” he replies, his voice firm but gentle. “Not with you. Not with our daughter.”

“You’re sure it’s a girl?”

“As sure as I knew you were the one when I first saw you.”

My heart swells at his words, and I can’t help but smile. It’s moments like these that remind me how much he’s changed, how much we’ve both changed. We’re building something together, something real, and it’s more than I ever dreamed of.

The drive to the clinic is quiet. I reach over and squeeze his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin, the strength in his grip. He squeezes back, and for a moment, everything feels perfect.

At the clinic, the routine of the appointment calms some of Lucas’s tension. The nurse is kind, and the doctor is warm and reassuring, but I can see how closely Lucas is paying attention, his eyes never leaving the monitor as the ultrasound begins.

The room is dim, the soft hum of the machine filling the silence, and then—there she is. Our baby.

The image on the screen takes my breath away. She’s so small, just a speck but growing fast. I glance at Lucas, and the look on his face nearly undoes me.

There’s a softness in his eyes, a wonder that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. His grip tightens on my hand, and I feel a tear slip down my cheek.

“She’s beautiful,” Lucas whispers, his voice thick with emotion. He turns to the doctor, all business now, his concern for our baby clear in every word. “Is everything okay? Is she healthy?”

The doctor smiles, nodding as she goes over the details. “Everything looks great. She’s developing perfectly. You’re both doing everything right.”

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