Chapter 9: No divorce

LIAM'S POV

I stepped back like I’d been burned. Anger rose fast and violent at myself. What was I doing?

“Don’t,” I snapped, dropping my hand from Luciana’s face when she moved to touch me. Her cheeks heated in embarrassment but she dropped it anyway.

My jaw clenched so tight it hurt. “Did you plan to run away again?"

Her eyes flashed. “Excuse me?” confused. I am confused too. What was I saying?

She looked like she wanted to argue, but I turned away before she could say anything. I needed space. Anything before I did something I wouldn’t be able to undo.

I went back to the park where the girls were laughing, oblivious to the world her mother and I have let drift apart. I love the way Lucia and Lyla are alive in a way that made my chest ache.

Lucia spotted me first. “Daddy!” She ran over and grabbed my hand. “Come push us!”

“You want me to push you?” I carried her in my arm. Her giggles like heaven in my ears. “Yes daddy"

“And what do I get in return?" I asked. Putting a finger on my chin. Putting a show as if I was thinking hard. "How about a kiss" she giggled

"If you push us first, I will kiss you"

“Aren't you my little negotiator" I tickled her, her giggles filling the space.

Lyla came over too. " Carry me too daddy” I carried her too on my other arm. Both of them giggling hard as I put them on the swing. “Mama!!!” Lucia screamed.

Luciana’s smile was instant. Gone was the confused anger on her face. I focused on the girls not wanting to see how her smile lights up her eyes that makes her the most beautiful.

I pushed them both gently.

“Mama push us too"

She hesitated but was beside me. Pushing Lyla while I pushed Lucia.

We stood side by side behind the swings. Pushing gently.

I wrapped my hands around the chains, pushing Lucia forward. Her laughter filled the air. She kicked her legs harder, demanding more height.

I could still taste the almost kiss. I could still smell her clean skin, something citrus and soft. My body remembered her far too easily, and the realization made my stomach knot with fury.

Get it together, Liam.

Luciana was awkward and stiff. Clearly aware of the space between us. I was rigid, every muscle tight, my mind betraying me with images I didn’t want.

Her lips. Her breath. The way she hadn’t pulled away.

My phone vibrated breaking my thoughts.

I stepped back and apologised to the girls. Who protested but let me go

I answered without looking. “What.”

“Romano just landed,” my assistant said. Cameron. Who has been by my side ever since I started this business through it all. “It looks like he came for a visit. But something is fishy. He brought way more men than necessary for a simple visit. He is being a snake”

My jaw tightened. “Where.”

“He’s moving quietly. But down at a luxury hotel"

“just make sure you watch him closely.” I said after a beat. “Nothing more.”

A pause. “You sure?”

I glanced at the girls, hair flying, faces bright. “I’m sure.”

I ended the call.

“Daddy!” Lyla yelled. “Ice cream!”

Lucia clapped. “Yes! Ice cream!”

“Ice cream it is" I nodded, all sign of the danger away form my face. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Luciana glanced at me but said nothing. Better.

We stood in line, the air thick with sugar and heat. The girls were debating flavors loudly. Lucia wanted strawberry and Lyla wanted cookies and cream. Luciana kept stealing glances at me like she was searching for something.

I refused to look back. She will know something Is wrong.

My thoughts kept circling the same forbidden place, her throwing a knife, fearless and lethal; her body pressed close; the way my control slipped around her.

I wanted her.

And that was the problem.

Her phone dinged.

I noticed immediately. The way her shoulders tensed. The crease between her brows.

“What is it?” I asked. Trying to come off nonchalant. But it came out sharper than I expected.

She startled. “Alyssa. She, uh…it’s a fashion emergency.”

I arched a brow. “A what.”

She laughed, awkward and thin. “You know Alyssa.”

I didn’t. Not really. But I nodded anyway. “I’ll drop you.”

"No need. I will just take a taxi"

"No, if you don't want me to drive you. I will get a driver for you"

"That's okay" she laughed nervously, but I was already calling one of my men and giving him instructions to drive her.

Suspicion coiled in my gut, but I let her go.

For now. I am not going to let her hide things from me anymore.

At home, I gave instructions quickly.

“Don’t let them out of your sight,” I told the cook. “Not even for a second.”

She nodded. A big smile on her face. Reassuring me that I shouldn't worry. While the girls enjoyed a cartoon and their Ice cream.

Then I got in my car. And followed Luciana.

The tracker blinked steadily on my screen, leading me straight to her.

She stopped at a warehouse district. The same place Cameron just informed me thirty minutes ago that Romano went to.

My chest went cold. I parked, drew my gun, and moved quietly.

That’s when I saw him.

The Italian underboss. Romano. Their don is dead courtesy of my wife. I was so proud of her when I found out about it. The man was a terrible human being and deserved to go. It was ruled as an accident but I knew better. In fact everyone knew who killed him.

Luciana stood opposite him, her stance relaxed but lethal. Guns were drawn. The air crackled with tension.

He laughed. “You’re bold, bella.”

“Put it down,” she said calmly. “Before you make a very stupid mistake.” I raised my gun, heart hammering. Anxious for when everything will go to shit. But I willed myself to be still.

And just as I predicated, he moved. And not wasting time, I fired.

The shot rang out sharp. He screamed as he dropped, clutching his knees.

Chaos exploded.

Gunfire erupted, but Luciana was faster.

She took them down one by one, clean and ruthless. I watched, stunned despite myself.

She was incredible. The way she moved effortlessly like she was born to do this.

Focus.

I stepped forward, gun trained on the underboss. “You’re in my territory,” I said coldly. “Without permission.”

His face was chalk-white. “You... How dare you! Do you know who I am.”

"I know. And I don't care" he grunted in pain. Still clutching his broken knee.

“If you don’t want your already crumbling mafioso to fall apart completely,” I continued. “Not when there’s no leadership back home. Leave my wife alone. And drag your sorry self back home"

He swallowed hard.

His driver rushed forward, dragging him away.

They left.

Silence fell.

Luciana turned to me. “What was that?”

I ignored the question. “Why do you love putting yourself in danger?”

Her eyes flared. “Please stop asking me questions you know the answer to. It is getting exhausting"

"At least I care" I snapped.

She laughed, bitter. “And you have a really good way of showing that”

“What are you hiding?” she demanded. “What have you been lying to me about since we got married?”

I stared at her. “Like you were honest too?”

“At least I had a valid reason!”

“So mine isn’t valid?” I shot back. My voice rose despite myself. “You think I did all this for fun?”

She stepped closer, furious. “You never trusted me enough to tell me the truth!”

“And you trusted me?” I barked. “You ran. You disappeared. You left me with nothing!”

“This is exactly why we should divorce!” she yelled. “We can never be the same again!”

I opened my mouth

My phone rang.

“If you think you can escape me again. You have something coming. I will tie you to my side. Even if I have to kicking and screaming”

I answered without looking. “What.” my voice was clipped. My annoyance showing.

Her voice on the other end was shaking.

“Sir,” the cook sobbed. “Lucia and Lyla…

they’re gone.”

“What do you mean” I said quietly.

“The kids. They’re missing.”