Chapter 184 TRUST.
~~~LUCIANO.
I woke up that morning feeling as new as ever, like a weight had lifted off my chest overnight. The sun filtered through the curtains in soft rays, warming the room and casting a golden glow over everything. For the first time since all the hell broke loose, I had slept past an hour.
In fact, this was the first time I'd clocked over eight hours of real, deep sleep. No nightmares jolting me awake, no racing thoughts about revenge or Raina's safety pulling me under. Just peaceful rest, and tangled up with her in our bed.
I held the sleeping woman tightly against me, her body fitting perfectly into mine like she was made for it. Raina breathed softly, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that matched my own. I snuggled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist as if the world might try to snatch her away again.
I remained that way for another hour, content just to watch her. The sheets were soft against my skin, and the faint scent of her lavender shampoo lingered in the air, grounding me. She looked so peaceful, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, lips slightly parted. My fingers traced lazy circles on her back, feeling the warmth of her through her nightshirt. I wasn't going to wake her as she needed this rest as much as I did. The past weeks had been brutal on her and here, in our bed, she was safe. I was her shield now, more than ever.
Finally, she stirred, a soft murmur escaping her lips as she shifted closer. Her eyelids fluttered, and then those beautiful eyes opened, meeting mine right away. I smiled softly, the kind of smile that came from deep inside, not forced.
"Trust you slept well, wifey," I said, my voice low and rough from sleep.
"Absolutely, hubby," she replied, cradling me even closer, her hand resting on my chest. Her touch sent a spark through me, reminding me how much I'd missed these simple moments.
She tilted her head, studying my face with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Your face looks better this morning," she chuckled, her laugh light and genuine.
"I know, right?" I groaned playfully, and we both laughed softly, the sound filling the room like music. It felt good and normal. Like we were clawing our way back to who we used to be.
"I was able to sleep well, also," I added, pulling her in for a quick kiss on the temple.
"I could tell immediately," she said, her fingers tracing my jawline. "You didn't toss and turn all night."
I rubbed her back in slow, soothing strokes, then moved to her hair, threading my fingers through the silky strands. I kissed her forehead, lingering there, and breathing her in. "I'm hungry," I admitted, my stomach rumbling on cue.
"Then we'd better get you down there for breakfast," she said, nodding with a smile.
We untangled ourselves reluctantly, and I watched as she slipped out of bed first, stretching with a yawn that made her nightshirt ride up just enough to show a glimpse of her smooth skin. I followed, pulling on a pair of sweatpants while she grabbed a robe. Hand in hand, we headed to the kitchen.
The house was quiet, the staff knowing to give us space after everything. I had given all of them a break for a couple of days.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, highlighting the marble counters and the fresh flowers in a vase of lilies, my favorite for her.
We moved around the kitchen together, like a team. I brewed coffee, the rich aroma filling the air, while she sliced fruit and toasted bread. It was simple, domestic, but it healed something in me.
She looked radiant in the morning light, her cheeks flushed, and for a moment, I forgot the scars and about the bruises that had faded but the emotional ones that lingered.
Once our plates were ready, we carried them to the dining room. The long oak table was set just for two, the food still steaming. I pulled out her chair, kissing the top of her head as she sat. We ate in comfortable silence at first, the clink of forks the only sound. I watched her for a while, savoring how she took small bites, her appetite returning bit by bit. It was a good sign, after days of barely touching food.
Then, she stopped eating midway through her eggs, setting her fork down. Her eyes lifted to mine, serious now, searching.
"What, baby?" I asked, concern creeping in. Has something shifted?
She hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. "What are you gonna do with them?"
I swallowed hard, the bite of bacon turning heavy in my mouth. I dropped my fork, the metal clattering against the plate. The question hung in the air, pulling me back to the dark thoughts I'd shoved aside.
The plans I'd been turning over in my mind with Viktor were gruesome and calculated and I couldn't drag her into that filth. Not when she was just starting to smile again.
"You don't wanna know," I said quietly, reaching for her hand across the table.
But she didn't back down. Her voice was steady, eyes fierce. "Kill him."
That surprised me, hitting like a punch. It was understandable as she'd been through hell because of Marco.
But never had I thought a day would come when she'd advocate for someone's death.
Raina, my gentle sunshine, talking like this? It showed how deep the scars ran, and how they'd changed her.
"Baby," I started, squeezing her hand.
"I want you… to kill him… and Talia…" Her words came out raw, laced with the pain she'd been holding back.
I leaned closer, my heart twisting. Raina's own blood, her twin, the one who'd betrayed her for power and revenge. The thought of what I'd do to her was even darker, and even more personal. I wouldn't spare any of them. They would pay for every tear, every bruise, and every moment of terror. But seeing Raina like this, advocating violence, it hurts. She wasn't built for this world, not like me.
"It's better you don't think about what I'm gonna do with them, baby. Especially Talia, because I'm not going to spare any of them." My voice was firm, but gentle for her.
She nodded, her eyes glistening as she sniffed back emotion. "I trust you."
That trust was everything. I smiled at her, a real one that reached my eyes, and leaned closer across the table. I picked up her hand, fondling it gently, my thumb tracing the soft skin of her knuckles. Her fingers intertwined with mine, warm and reassuring. In that moment, with the breakfast forgotten and the sun warming our faces, I felt a surge of love for her.
How had I come to love a person this much?