Page 41 of Bound By Honor

“Careful,piccolo,” Luciano calls as Luca rounds a corner. “Not too fast.”

I lean against the wall, savoring this moment of normalcy. “He seems to be adjusting well.”

“Kids are resilient.” Luciano moves closer, his hand finding the small of my back. “Unlike their stubborn fathers.”

“You’re doing fine.” I turn to face him, noting the shadows under his eyes. “Though you could use more sleep.”

He snorts. “Says the woman I caught practicing knife throws at three AM.”

“That was one time?—”

“Three times this week.” His thumb traces circles on my hip. “The guards are starting to think you’re possessed.”

“Speaking of guards...” I glance pointedly at the men stationed discreetly along the hallway. “Don’t you think Dominic’s being a bit... excessive?”

“After everything that happened?” His jaw tightens. “No, I don’t.”

Before I can argue, Luca comes barreling back, crashing into Luciano’s legs.

“Papá! Can we show Aurora the secret room? Please?”

“Secret room?” I arch an eyebrow.

“It’s not really—“ Luciano starts, but Luca tugs my hand.

“It’s wherePapákeeps all his important stuff! Like pictures and?—“

“Luca.” Luciano’s voice carries a gentle warning. “Some things are private.”

I catch the flicker of pain in his eyes and understand immediately. Maria’s things. Her memories, preserved in whatever sanctuary he’s carved out in this massive house.

“Heypiccolo,” I crouch down to Luca’s level. “How about we explore the garden instead? I heard there might be frogs in the fountain.”

His face lights up. “Really? Can we catch them?”

“Absolutely not,” Luciano says, but he’s fighting a smile.

“Please,Papá?” Luca deploys his most devastating puppy eyes. “ZiaAurora will help!”

“Will she now?” Luciano’s gaze meets mine, full of warmth and something deeper. “And what makes you think Aurora wants to wade through fountain water chasing amphibians?”

I stand, matching his challenging look. “Bold of you to assume I don’t.”

“See?” Luca bounces with excitement. “She’s fun,Papá. Not boring like your business friends.”

Luciano’s laugh is unexpected and rich. “Is that so? And here I thought I was quite entertaining.”

“You’re okay.” Luca pats his father’s hand consolingly. “ButZiaAurora’s better at voices when she reads stories. And she knows all about frogs!”

“I’m wounded.” Luciano presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Betrayed by my own blood.”

The domesticity of the moment hits me suddenly—this easy banter, this warmth. After everything we’ve survived, it feels almost surreal.

“Earth to Aurora.” Luciano’s voice pulls me back. “You okay?”

“Perfect.” I blink away unexpected tears. “Just... perfect.”

His expression softens with understanding. Before he can speak, Dominic appears at the end of the hall, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere.

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