CHAPTER 37

Lucius's POV.

I watched her as she slept, a habit I could say I was loving more and more by the day. The only difference is that this time I lay right beside her gently tracing the features of her face lightly with my thumb.

A tight protective urge in my chest uncurled towards her. If I had put it into thought that she was here I wouldn't have come after Monterio and his gang so strongly. I knew they were planning an attack in retaliation since I had killed their men including their leader.

Now the man's son would be after me, weirdly I never knew the man had a son till this incident, the guy sort of just appeared out of nowhere. Monterio headed one of the most powerful Italian mafia not as strong as mine but it could pose a problem.

I rubbed my temples trying to figure out my next best possible move. I had to find out the hidden identity of Monterio's son and kill him before he could cause any problems.

The reason I killed his father is because he started an alliance to overthrow my mafia syndicate as the head and strongest despite our agreement to not engage in such coups or fights.

I had no choice but to nip it in the bud, from one of the men I had interrogated yesterday I found out he has an heir and his location is in Italy. I had to find him and fast.

Anna stirred in her sleep, her eyes slowly opening, “ have you gotten any sleep at all? ” she asked in her sweet sleepy voice.

I drew her close. “Why?  Are you worried?”

“ You lost a good amount of blood earlier, you need to rest so you won't be dizzy during the day ”.

“ I didn't Know I married a nurse, ” I said lightly.

She sat up, stretching slightly. “I wanted to become a pediatrician, I considered it a lot but I guess that isn't going to happen anymore.” Her voice revealed a hint of sadness.

I sat up taking her hand “ I promise you, you'll have a beautiful life and you will get to be all you want to be . I won't stop you, I'll hold your hand in encouragement all the way ”.

I could see how much my words affected them as she tried to blink away the fine sheen of tears “Thank you ” she muttered in a tight voice.

The digital alarm went off loudly causing Anna to jump, it flashed at 4:00 am in an almost angry red color Anna put her hand on her chest “That just scared the shit out of me, why is the alarm set for 4 am though Isn't it quite early?  ”.

I stood up from the bed “ Not quite, we need to leave for Italy immediately, I have an early meeting I have to attend to . Sorry, I didn't inform you how early we would have to leave ”.

I hated lying to her but I didn't want her to be afraid and if she knew the real reason was because I feared we may be overwhelmed by an attack she might shit her pants.

I wasn't scared for myself, I can handle it perfectly but I can't act recklessly now that she's here. I knew I couldn't risk it and act carelessly.

She didn't seem to think much of my explanation “Oh that's fine, I'll throw on something more convenient and we could head out ”

As she stood up from the bed I noticed she had discarded her robe in her sleep and her milky skin was largely exposed, her short satin nightwear doing very little to help her cover up.

My eyes raked up and down her body several times, she noticed my gaze and shyly ran to the closet to change, making me laugh. How could a girl be so brave and yet so shy and sweet, she showed minimal fear during all the tasks but ran when it came to intimacy.

She came out dressed in a casual jogger and tank top, “ you know I've seen every inch of your body already, you don't have to be shy of me. You have no idea how much I want you and make no mistake the reason I haven't touched you again is for lack of opportunity. It will happen over and over again till you can't get enough”.

I walked into the closet to dress up leaving her blushing bright red and speechless. 'Good ’ I thought to myself it was good to see she is affected by me as much as I am by her.

Before we left the room, I sent a text to Bruno to make sure it was safe. He responded almost immediately ‘The coast is clear sir, I have stationed men at every point ‘

I took her hand and led her out of the room, “What of our luggage, I just got some nice stuff I don't want to leave behind ”.

“Women,” I said under my breath.

“Hey I heard that,” she said.

“ Don't worry about it, everything will be delivered to the house by this evening, I promise . Now let's leave before we'll be late ”. I said sensing a sense of urgency the last thing we needed to lose was the cover of the night.

“ Okay,” she said, allowing me to lead her to the already waiting car.

Luckily we left Paris in good time and I breathed a sigh of relief when we were in the air, she noticed my relief.

“ You seem relieved, is everything okay?” It wasn't the question per se that tugged at my heart but the concern in her beautiful grey eyes and the tone of her voice.

“ Everything is fine,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. She didn't look too convinced but I was glad she didn't press the issue.

Finally we arrived in Italy and were almost back at the house, I took a deep breath glad to be back in my terrain. I would get to work immediately and find the son of Monterio before he racks up trouble for me.

Entering my estate I frowned slightly as I noticed four different cars parked in my parking lot, two I recognized to be Aunt Selena's and Matias's.

Could I catch a break at all, my brows creased in worry what were they all doing here? The car came to a halt, I got down quickly and helped Anna out.

“ Thank you,” she said, I didn't want her to know what was going on, if this was about marrying Eloise it wasn't going to get pretty for Matias if he was pulling another stunt and I didn't want her to see me lose my temper.

Her maid came out of the house with the butler, “Welcome back Mr and Mrs Moreti ” Before he could say anything I spoke, “ Thank you please escort my wife to her room and see to her needs ”

Anna cast me a confused look, “ I'll be right up soon, I need to check on something quickly ”.

“ Okay ” she responded and turned to leave with them

I angrily marched to the meeting room, I knew they'd be there waiting for me. I pushed the door open and clenched my fist in anger when I set my eyes on Matias, my teeth grit in anger.

He looked very pleased with himself, “ what the hell are you doing here again? Why are you always trying to run my life for me !” I saw through my teeth trying to control my anger.

“ I urge you to take a seat Lucius “It was then I noticed the whole family, the person who spoke to me was the eldest sibling Aunt Linda.

Reluctantly I took a seat and she continued in a stern voice “ Matias informed myself and Demicia of your decision to marry Rossi's daughter. Despite our feelings, no one is going to force you to do what you don't wish to ”

“ Then what's this meeting about ”.

“ You will exercise patience, you may be the mafia lord but we are still your elders ”  Aunt Demicia spoke. I disliked her a lot. She was like the female version of Uncle Matias, very ruthless and controlling.

I clenched my fist even harder seeing Matias' satisfied smile. Aunt Linda continued “ As per the rules the only exception for marrying outside the mafia clan is that the wife in question must bear an heir male or female during the first year of marriage or at least be with child ”.

My heart skipped a beat, I had forgotten all about that. I always thought that rule to be archaic and stupid a woman shouldn't be reduced to her childbearing ability.

“I am aware of the rule, ” I said sternly.

“ Good if your wife can't meet this requirement you would have to take a second wife which would be the second runner-up”.

The anger in my chest burned even hotter, I clenched my fist impossibly even tighter this had Matias's fingerprint all over it. Not that I thought Anna had any problems but Matias was capable of anything and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

I could easily lash out but I decided to take a breath and not let them know how unsettling their words made me feel. “I am aware of the Mafia clan rules and I strictly observe them. We can all reconverge on this in a year”

They nodded in agreement, only Aunt Selena had a worried look on her face.

I couldn't stand to be in the same room with them, so I stood up “If that is all I'll take my leave ”.