Chapter 44

Chapter 44
|| KIERA STEVENS'S POV||
A big smile creeped on my lips when I saw my son, running towards me eagerly. I barely managed to catch him before he pounced on me,
" Mommy...I missed you.."
Kissing his cheeks, I mouthed, smelling his freshly showered hair,
" I missed you. Did you meet your great-grandpa, baby?"
I haven't seen Luca ever since I woke up in my bed. Last night was amazing for me. For the first time, I felt that he was making love to me, the sincerity in his tone when he told me that Cassandra meant nothing to him. Was he scared of these feelings like me?
Ryan's gambling voice snapped me back to reality,
" That. Great-grandpa doesn't like me. He always tells me..to speak properly..or try learning something else..I...I don't like him.."
My heart was clenching painfully after my son was speaking. I didn't expect him to like Ryan but at least, he could have treated him well. I guess, only Luca had a soft sight for Ryan and sometimes David. Matteo didn't go well with Ryan or me from the beginning.
Still, I smiled down at my son to comfort him,
" Still..you should respect him, baby. He is your great-grandpa.."
Ryan nodded his head in agreement and melted in my arms, probably becoming bored after staying one night with the old man. The door behind us opened loudly. Without looking back, I knew who it was.
Luca entered without knocking, wearing a gray suit which was quite unusual in comparison with his favorite dark attire. He teased softly, standing behind us,
" Mm..am I interrupting mother-son time?"
I looked back at him, smiling a little when I saw him, watching us with a pair of doting eyes. Ryan exclaimed, already throwing his arms to go over him,
" Daddy...hug me.."
He took back Ryan happily and kissed his cheeks until our son was giggling. I couldn't avoid the warmth in my heart. Every time he acted warm in front of me, I pictured a happy family just..the three of us.
He spoke in a cold voice, holding Ryan in his other hand,
" I want you to come with me tonight. Grandpa should see you."
I was a little surprised honestly. Even last night, David was telling me that it was a bit risky. But he was the Don here and could make it exceptional. I replied without delay,
" Okay! When is the time?"
He replied in a deep voice, his eyes looking at my neck where he left love bites last night,
" Tonight! 9 P.M. I will pick you up!"
___________
" Do you... really think that.. it's appropriate to meet him?", I asked him nervously, sitting inside his car as we were on the way to the mansion of his grandfather.
He snapped his eyes at me deeply,
" Trust me! It's better than being late."
I nodded without arguing and hugged our son closer who was fast asleep. Not long after that, his car finally entered into a mansion. I swore it was bigger like a castle, hundreds of uniformed bodyguards were standing on both sides. As soon as Luca got off, they bent their heads as a sign of respect. He helped me, came out, and led me through the big entrance.
No one even talked loud. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by a grand table, full of delicious foods. An old man came over to us, scrutinizing,
" Who is this?"
Luca blurted, squeezing my hand slightly as if to tell me that everything was going to be okay,
" Ryan's mother! She is here for a visit."
The old man's expression turned dark in a second. He stammered pointing at me,
" You..you dared to bring her here..how could you.."
Luca responded firmly, looking straight into his eyes,
" I brought here to show you that Ryan isn't an illegitimate child. Besides, she wished to meet you. She is a guest here, Grandpa!"
His grandpa wasn't pleased with my arrival. I had never felt more embarrassed in my life because he was the owner of this mansion who didn't welcome me to come yet I slipped inside forcefully.
His grandpa flashed me a glare before ordering,
" She is just a guest then.. let's eat.."
______
The rest of the dinner was spent in a stiff atmosphere. His grandpa's consistent glares made me so uncomfortable that I couldn't eat properly. Luca helped Ryan with his food. So, I was practically alone and had nothing to do except eat.
His grandpa's cold voice resonated in the air,
" I would like to speak to her alone!"
I sent a glance at Luca, terrifying but he just returned a small nod, asking me to go with him. Leaving my dinner undone, I followed the grumpy grandpa to a corridor that was far away from the dining table.
I stood behind, facing his back. He blurted in a humorless voice,
" How much do you want to give Ryan's full custody to us?"
I was stunned before recovering fast. So, he wanted me here because he was thinking of ways to separate me from my son. Maybe, Luca knew it too. I was still being respectful towards him but now, I had no choice but to slam the words in his face,
" Money is never my option! Also, I didn't want full custody. I wanted joint custody but your grandson refused. I have no choice but to go through the procedures. Besides, it isn't legally allowed to bring Ryan out of the country at this moment. Still, I permitted it because Ryan deserves to know about his family. I don't lack money, Grandpa..I.."
He raised his one hand as a signal to stop talking before groaning angrily,
" I didn't hear the lecture from you. I don't like women with sharp mouths. Also, we will definitely take our blood away from you. He deserves to be here. Besides, women like you from the entertainment industry don't know how to raise a child. Look at him. He still doesn't know how to act like a superior... Rubbish..Also..stay away from my Luca. He had many whores in the past. You won't be exceptional..."
I clenched my fists hard in anger. Tears welled up my eyes but I didn't let them fall down stubbornly. Whenever I came into the mansion, he had all this intention to insult me. He was even successful. In a matter of seconds, he made me realize that I was nothing but a whore to Luca.
He kept fuming, grumbling his words out,
" Men from our brotherhood never marry women outside of our world. Whoever does it faces death. Don't think that you can tie him up with you because of this son. You still should be grateful that you are standing live in my mansion."
Tears began to pour from my eyes silently. Sometimes, words could cut hard more than a dagger could. I raised my head up to stare into his eyes deeply, and blurted not knowing where this confidence was coming from,
" I have no intention to become your grandson's mistress or wife. A murderer like him doesn't deserve me. But I must make it clear to you. I will fight for my son's custody until my last breath even if it costs everything."
He looked shocked but I gave him no choice and left with my tearful eyes. Luca was waiting for me already but I just ignored him, taking Ryan from his hand,
" Let's go back, baby. You don't have to stay here anymore."
I barged out of the mansion, not caring if Luca was chasing after us,
" Kiera.. Stop..fuck..I said..Stop.."
He finally caught me, gripping my arms to force me at my track. I winched at his touch then jerked his hands off harshly,
" Don't... touch.. me..."
His eyes grew dark but I didn't care. He was the one who put me in this situation. He kept demanding my answer,
" What did he tell you..tell me...did.. did you just cry? Kiera..fuck..tell..me... What did he say to you.."
" NOTHING...", I shouted back, my voice breaking midway. Regaining my voice, I added like a whisper,
" But.. truth.."
His eyes narrowed dangerously, probably understanding what his grandfather could tell me. I swallowed hard before continuing in a firm tone,
" From this day...you and I.. don't have any relationship, Luca. This baby is our only connection...We will face each other in court only..Do not dare to come to me.. or else..I.."
" Or else.. what?", he gritted his words out, stomping forward in rage. He sounded like he didn't want to stay away from me. But there was no way to hold onto these feelings which meant nothing to him. He was going to be married soon. His grandpa already selected the most eligible bride. In other words, he was telling the truth. Luca was only using me as his personal whore. In reality, I was nothing but a puppet for him and he was taking advantage of my feelings.
I blurted those words in my breath, tears blurring my vision,
" I will give you every reason to stay away from..me.Luca...To me, you are just..my son's father.."