Page 47 of Sinful Mafia Prince

DOM STARED OUT at the beautiful scenery surrounding him and could understand why Luca would never want to leave a place like this. With its deep blue waters and soaring mountain views, Lake Como was one of the most peaceful places on earth…for most. For him it brought back too many memories—memories he’d rather forget—and the best way to do that was to stay as far away from their origin as possible.

He’d done a pretty good job of it too, until now, only having come back here once in the last two decades. His family had tried to recapture the beauty and magic of the lake, but quickly learned that some things were better left untouched. So Via Besana Moltrasio had been locked up ever since.

He closed his eyes and tried to let the gentle ebb and flow calm the chaos that came whenever he thought aboutbefore. But now that the seed had been planted, he found it difficult to stop it taking root.

“I’m sorry if I said something to upset you,” Luca said, pulling him from his thoughts.

“You didn’t.”

“Are you sure? You’ve gone all broody and quiet.”

Dom glanced over his shoulder to Luca. “Maybe I’m just enjoying the scenery.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t exactly strike me as the kind of guy to stop and take in a moment.”

The kid was far too perceptive for his own good, but, not about to admit that, Dom went back to staring at the mountains. He took in a deep breath, and just as he was about to shut his eyes, Luca sat in the spot beside him.

“Can I ask you something?”

Dom let out a sigh. “You just did.”

“Stop it. I’m being serious. I was going to ask you earlier, but I got distracted.”

Knowing there was no way to stop the kid when he wanted to know something, Dom nodded. “Go ahead, ask.”

Luca looked down at the polished wood panels and ran his fingers over the gold inlay. “Who’s Giuliana?”

Like he’d taken a fist to the gut, Dom’s stomach clenched. “You can ask anything but that.”

“Why? Who was—”

“Isaidanything but that.”

“But—”

“Stop talking.”

“I just…” Luca frowned and rubbed at his hand. “I just wanted to tell you it’s a beautiful name. Was it your mom’s?”

“Fucking hell.” Dom shoved his hand through his hair and moved to get to his feet, but Luca took hold of his arm. “Let go.”

“I’m—”

“I swear if you say you’re sorry, I just might—” Dom bit off the threat, knowing it was no longer true, and instead shook Luca’s hand free. “It was my sister’s name, okay? You fucking happy now?”

When Luca just blinked at him, Dom let out another curse and moved off the back of the boat. He retook his seat behind the wheel and was reaching for the key when an image of a little girl with a mop of black curls flashed before his eyes.

Dom squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to banish the vision, but it was too late now, too present in his head. His chest began to tighten.

Fuck.This was the last thing he wanted to think about, the one thing he’d been actively working to avoid while he was here. But as his defenses began to crumble, the cracks opened and let in the unbearable.

A beautiful lady with a wide-brimmed hat.

A smile that could make any day brighter.

And a little girl bouncing on her lap, giggling at something her mamma had just—

“Dom?”

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