Chapter 257 THE HONEYMOON.

Chapter 257 THE HONEYMOON.
\~~~LUCIANO.

Every single thing was ready.

The cars, the security detail, the luggage, the private jet waiting for us, and even the staff had lined up to see us off.

For once in my life, an operation involving dozens of people was running exactly on schedule.

Everything was prepared. Everything and everyone except my wife.

I stood in the middle of the hallway with my hands in my pockets and stared toward the staircase.

Nothing.

Not even a glimpse of her.

A week ago, this woman had practically declared war when the subject of a honeymoon was brought up.

She had argued, complained, threatened, and had listed every possible reason why she couldn't leave work.

But now?

Now I was beginning to suspect she had secretly been replaced by another woman.

Because for someone who supposedly didn't want to go on this trip, Raina had somehow managed to shop like she was preparing for a permanent relocation.

Over the past week alone, boxes had arrived almost daily.

Clothes, shoes, bags, sunglasses, swimwear, more shoes, and even more bags.

At one point, I was fairly certain she had purchased an entire boutique.

By the following day, I became convinced she had moved on to supermarkets.

I had watched delivery men struggle through my front door carrying enough skincare products, snacks, and travel essentials to survive a small apocalypse.

The woman had become unstoppable.

And the cutest part?

She had gotten more excited about this honeymoon than everyone else.

Including Alessia, Viktor, and the people who had practically forced us to take the trip in the first place.

Every evening I came home to find another suitcase open on the bed, another shopping bag, and another package.

By the third day, I had stopped asking questions.

By the fifth day, I had started fearing for my credit card.

And now, on the actual day of departure, the same woman who had insisted she didn't want to go was upstairs, still packing and still rearranging.

She had been deciding which of her thirty-seven nearly identical outfits deserved a place in the suitcase.

God help me.

I had faced assassins with less stress.

The entire room looked like a luxury boutique had exploded by the time I entered fully..

I stood there silently counting.

One, two… and by the time I reached twenty-three, I gave up.

There were definitely more.

At the center of the chaos stood my wife holding two nearly identical dresses.

And somehow looking completely serious.

"Raina."

She looked up.

"What?"

I spread my arms.

"What is this?"

She blinked and then looked around.

"The packing."

"The packing?"

"Yes."

I stared at the mountain of clothing.

"We are leaving for two months."

She nodded.

"I know."

I pointed at the bed.

"You packed enough clothing for two years."

Her mouth fell open immediately.

"I did not."

I laughed and she looked offended.

"You are exaggerating."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

I picked up one of the dresses.

"You have five versions of this."

"They are different."

"They are black."

"They are different shades of black."

I rubbed my forehead.

God help me.

A month ago she had stood in front of Gabriel with a hidden gun and today she was arguing about shades of black.

"You need options."

I stared at her.

"Options?"

"Yes."

"Raina."

"What?"

"We are going on vacation."

She crossed her arms.

"And?"

"You are acting like we are relocating permanently."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You are making fun of me."

"I absolutely am."

The glare she sent me would have terrified most people.

Unfortunately for her, I was immune.

I stepped closer and she immediately pointed one of the dresses at me.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't kiss me."

I smiled then kissed her anyway because I could.

Her argument died instantly for approximately three seconds.

Then she pushed against my chest. "We are going to be late."

"We own the plane,” I shrugged.

"We can still be late."

I kissed her forehead this time.

Then took the dresses from her hands. "You are overpacking."

"You are underestimating how many outfits a woman needs."

"I assure you I am not."

She rolled her eyes.

Then continued packing anyway.

There was no winning. Not that I expected to anyway.

An hour later, we finally made it downstairs.

The luggage had already been loaded and the security team was ready.

Waiting near the entrance were Viktor and Alessia and the moment Raina saw them, she smiled.

Alessia immediately opened her arms and the two women hugged tightly.

I watched quietly.

The last few months had changed both of them yet somehow strengthened their friendship even more.

"You'd better call me."

Raina laughed.

"Obviously."

"I mean it."

"I know."

"Every day."

Raina pulled back slightly.

"You act like I'm disappearing forever."

"You are leaving for two months."

"Which is not forever."

Alessia pointed a finger at her.

"Still."

Raina laughed again and hugged her one more time.

The sight made me smile slightly.

When they finally pulled apart, Alessia rested a hand against her stomach absentmindedly.

Then looked toward Raina.

"Go enjoy yourself."

Raina blinked.

"What?"

"For once."

Alessia smiled softly.

"Stop fixing everyone's problems."

For a second, Raina went quiet.

Because the truth was, she always did.

Everyone's problems somehow became hers.

Mine, Alessia's, the empire's, the company's.

Everyone.

She carried people without even realizing it.

A small smile appeared on her face. "I'll try."

"No."

Alessia shook her head. "You will do it."

That earned another laugh.

Then Viktor stepped forward.

He hugged Raina briefly like an older brother would.

"Take care of yourself, ma’am.”

"But when will he stop calling me ma’?”
Raina groaned and everyone laughed.

“You are my…”

“Family!” She snapped, cutting Viktor short.

“Okay… sister-in-law.”

She rolled her eyes, and then groaned, “I’ll take that.”

"You should ."

She smiled then he looked toward me and immediately the friendliness disappeared.

Typical Viktor.

We embraced quickly then he stepped back.

"Don't answer work calls."

I frowned. "I won't."

"I am serious."

"So am I."

He narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced, and then he looked toward Raina.

"Take his phone if necessary."

She immediately nodded.

"I can do that."

I stared at both of them.

"What exactly is happening here?"

"A precaution."

"Against what?"

"Against you."

Alessia burst out laughing.

I pointed toward Viktor.

"I am beginning to regret promoting you."

"No, you're not."

Unfortunately, he was correct. The annoying bastard.

Raina laughed beside me and honestly, the sound alone made this entire trip worth it.

She had laughed more during the last week than she had during most of our marriage.

There was no fear, or danger, just happiness.

The way it should have been from the beginning.

Eventually, the driver cleared his throat politely.

A reminder that it was time.

Alessia hugged Raina one final time and then me.

Viktor shook his head.

"You two had better enjoy yourselves."

"We will."

"I mean it."

I smirked.

"Why does everyone keep repeating that?"

"Because we know you."

Raina laughed under her breath and then slipped her hand into mine.

My fingers immediately tightened around hers as the gates ahead were already opening.

I looked back one final time at Viktor, Alessia, and home then turned forward again.

Raina squeezed my hand lightly and I glanced down to look at her smiling face.

My wife looked happy, peaceful, and God I would destroy entire countries to keep that smile on her face.

The thought made me chuckle.

"What?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"Maybe."

She laughed again.

Then rested her head against my shoulder as we walked toward the waiting car.

And for the first time in a very long time...

There was nowhere we needed to rush.

Nobody to rescue.

Nobody is trying to kill us.

No war waiting around the corner.

Just me, my wife, and the honeymoon we should have had a year ago.