Page 74 of Lorenzo's Claim

I lifted her onto the vanity chair as she watched me with wandering eyes. “What are you doing?” she asked, a little of that spark I enjoyed rearing its pretty head.

“You can’t exactly sleep with wet hair, can you?” I smiled, retrieving and holding up the hairdryer my mother left earlier. “So, if it’s alright with my wife, I’d like to dry her hair.”

And there it was, the first smile I’d gotten since she’d been home.

The first of many.

I laid backin bed as Anastacia nestled into the crook of my arm. This was new for me, and to be honest, I kind of liked it. Her hair decorated the pillow beside her as her head rested on my chest. It must have sounded so cliché, but she fit perfectly against me. Almost as if she was the missing piece of the puzzle. Maybe what happened between our fathers was meant to happen, maybe it was fate’s messed up way of making her mine.

My T-shirt had slipped slightly, allowing me to trace patterns on her bare shoulder, my touch gentle yet possessive.

“Ana, tell me what happened,” I whispered as I felt the warmth of her breath on my chest. “I need to know.”

I felt her stiffen slightly as her eyes flicked up to meet mine. “Just a few punches, that’s all.” Her voice was steady as her lips turned up into a soft smile.

“That’s all? You say it as if it’s nothing.” I sighed.

“The punches were as hard as the ones Miles gave me as a kid during play fights. It’s no big deal. Just drop it,” she said sternly while smiling.

I knew she wasn’t telling the truth. All the telltale signs were there, but I couldn’t push it. I wouldn’t, not now, anyway. She’d tell me more when she was ready.

Her eyelids fluttered shut, and her lips parted slightly, releasing a soft breath. She looked so serene lying against me, her face a picture of tranquility, that for a fleeting moment, I almost forgot the depths of my own failings—the harshness, the mistakes I'd made with her. Yet, the weight of those memories was something I'd never be able to shake off. Her breathing gradually settled into a gentle rhythm as she slipped into therealm of dreams. And what did I do for most of the night? I watched her, my eyes tracing the delicate contours of her face, refusing to surrender to sleep myself, in case she had a nightmare or needed me for any reason.

I had been mistaken about my wife. To outsiders, she might have appeared as nothing more than a mafia princess, with her poised demeanour and elegant attire. I, too, had been guilty of underestimating her. But she was so much more than that superficial image. Beneath her refined exterior was the heart of a warrior, fierce and unyielding. Many, myself included, had failed to protect her, but that was a mistake I vowed never to repeat. As long as there was breath in my body, I would ensure she was never left unprotected again.

My arms tightened around her, simply holding her close, hoping I’d be the one that helped her sleep soundly.

“Maybe one day you’ll forgive me for the bastard I was,” I whispered, placing a kiss on her head as she stirred a little. “I’m sorry it took that ordeal happening to realise just how special you are and how amazing our marriage can be.” I knew she couldn’t hear me, but that didn’t stop me from saying it out loud for the first time. I’d make sure I’d repeat it as many times as she needed to hear it.

I leftAnastacia asleep the following morning, but not without leaving her a note to let her know I’d be in my home office all day. Gino rearranged my meetings and Red slaughtered anyone that wasn’t happy about it.

“Boss,” Finn started. “Can I just say you seem different this morning?” He smiled. “Would that have anything to dowith your wife being home? And the fact that you’re no longer wanting to kill one another?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, Finley, but I do feel a hell of a lot better since we found her.” I relaxed back in my chair, waiting for the next comment or question.

“How’s she doing?” Red asked, settling into one of the chairs opposite me, his voice laced with concern. He hadn’t told anyone what had happened last night. The only ones who knew were myself, Red, and of course, Ana.

“She says she’s alright, but I know it won’t be easy to overcome.” I sighed. “She won’t even tell me what they did… What that little prick did,” My stomach churned, and my chest tightened, thinking about Chad’s hands touching her. “But listen, I’m thinking of taking her to Sicily for a long weekend, just the two of us.” I strummed my fingers on the desk as they failed tohide their amusement and excitement. I hadn’t quite worked out which it was yet.

“Finally!” Emmet beamed, lighting a cigarette.

“I don’t want us to be disturbed, alright? I will deal with Chad when we get back, but until then you all keep him alive,” I ordered.

“Boss,” they all said in unison.

“You can all go. Except you, Red. I need a word.”

Red remained where he was as the rest of the team exited the office. He shot me a glance, already knowing I planned on asking him something.

“What do you need, mate?” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs.

“I need you to see if Anastacia will open up to you.” I leaned back, closing my eyes for a second. “She told me she took a couple of punches, but I’ve seen her body, Red. It was more than a few that did that to her.”

“Please tell me you’re not thinking what I think you are.” His eyes narrowed as he spoke.

“No, I—Fuck, I don’t know,” I seethed. “She’ll open up to you more than she would with me. You have a great relationship with her, and I know that’s my own fault.”

“How about you forget the past and just worry about the present and the future.” He smiled. “Take her away, talk to her about why you did what you did, lay every damn card on that table, and see what happens.” He blew out a mouthful ofsmoke from his cigarette. “Let her in. Let her see that you’re actually a genuinely nice guy and she just might surprise you.”

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