Page 47 of Bound By Honor

“He’s out,” she whispers after a few minutes, careful not to disturb his peaceful breathing. Her eyes meet mine across the room, full of such tenderness it steals my breath. “He fought it hard though.”

“Like father, like son,” I say softly, crossing to them. “Stubborn runs in the family.”

“Good thing I have practice handling stubborn Vitale men.” Her smile turns teasing, though her hand never stops its gentle motion through Luca’s hair.

After carrying Luca to his room and tucking him in with whispered goodnights, we make our way to our bedroom. The familiar scent of Aurora’s perfume mingles with leather and gunmetal—my weapons safe tucked discretely in the corner, her silk robe draped over a chair. These small signs of our lives intertwined still catch me off guard sometimes, in the best possible way.

Aurora moves to the window, moonlight silvering her hair as she looks out over the estate grounds. I come up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and breathing in the scent of her—jasmine and wine and home.

“What are you thinking about?” I murmur against her hair, feeling the way she melts back against me.

“How different everything is now,” she says softly, her hands covering mine where they rest on her stomach. “A few months ago, I thought I’d never have this. Freedom. Family. You.”

I tighten my hold, remembering how close we came to losing it all. “I never thought I’d have it either. After Maria...” I press a kiss to her temple. “I was just surviving. Going through the motions.”

She turns in my arms, reaching up to trace the scar on my jaw—a reminder of the night everything changed. “And now?”

“Now?” I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Now I remember what it means to truly live.”

Her smile is soft in the darkness as she rises on her toes to kiss me. It’s gentle at first, but quickly deepens with all the emotion of the evening—gratitude, joy, love, desire. When we break apart, her eyes are bright with tears and something that looks like forever.

“I love you,” she whispers against my lips. “You and Luca—you’re my everything.”

Instead of answering, I lift her into my arms, carrying her to our bed. She laughs softly, the sound full of joy and promise. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new battles to fight, new moments to cherish. But tonight, in this room that smells of perfume and moonlight, there is only us—and the certainty that we’ve finally, truly, come home.

19

LUCIANO POV

I stand behind Aurora, close enough that my breath stirs her hair, but not quite touching. The anticipation crackles between us like electricity.

“Ti amo,” she whispers, and the Italian on her lips breaks something loose inside me. All these months of careful control, of holding back...

“You’re still holding back,” she says over her shoulder. “Even now, you touch me like I might break.”

The observation hits too close to home. “There are things I want...” The words feel dangerous in my mouth. “Things I’ve been hesitant to show you.”

“Because you think I’m fragile?”

I trace her jawline, feeling her pulse jump under my touch. “Because once I let go of that control, Aurora, there’s no going back. And I need you to be sure.”

“Are you sure about this?” I keep my voice low, controlled, though need courses through me. My fingers ghost over her shoulder, barely making contact.

“Yes.” Her eyes meet mine in the window’s reflection. “I trust you.”

The words settle something inside me, and I feel authority settling over me like a cloak. When I speak again, my voice carries a different weight. “Then we need to establish the rules.” My hand slides to her neck, firm but gentle. “Your safe word?”

“Red for stop,” she breathes, letting her head fall back against my shoulder. “Yellow for slow down.”

“Good girl.” I feel her shiver at the praise, and it feeds something primal inside me. “And if you can’t speak?”

“Two taps,” she demonstrates against my thigh, and my grip tightens slightly.

My approval radiates through my touch. “Remember—you’re in control here, Aurora. One word from you, and we stop. No questions asked.”

The sight of her reflection—vulnerable yet strong, surrendering yet somehow still fierce—makes my blood burn. Mine to protect. Mine to possess.

Her complete trust is more intoxicating than any power I’ve ever held.

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