Holding Vienna’s body close to mine with a strong arm, I turned and looked at Marco. “Where were you?”
“They knocked me out, sent some thugs to grab me. I’m sorry, man. I failed you.” I could hear the remorse in his voice. I couldn’t even look at him. I knew it wasn’t his fault, but the only person I needed to focus on right now was Vienna. She sobbed against my chest and I tried to keep her calm.
“You’re okay now, baby. You’re okay. I promise. I took care of it. Nobody will hurt you anymore.”
She looked up at me. “Roberto?”
I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t tell her about the body in the doorway. It belonged to her uncle. The man who had single handedly created all of this madness. His behavior had almost taken her from me. I had seen the way her eyes looked at me while I was hurting Roberto in my apartment. She couldn't handle more blood on her hands. I had to respect that.
I remained silent and she knew. She cried harder than before. “I hate everything about this. I hate it!”
“I know, I know. But it’s over now.”
Pops staggered out of the restaurant with Luis and Marco helped him. Together, they hobbled toward us. “She’s okay then?” he asked me.
“Yeah, she’s okay.”
“Good.” He nodded.
Luis spoke up, “I’ll tell the family this matter is taken care of. We can continue to do business at the docks I assume?”
Pops nodded. “Yes, as long as your family stays the hell out of our way. And doesn’t try to keep these two apart anymore.”
Luis set his lips in a thin line. “I’ll make sure of it myself sir.” He shook my hand and quickly made his exit. Vienna didn’t even realize that was her cousin. And I didn’t tell her.
“You need a doctor. Marco, take him to our regular guy.”
He nodded. “I’ve got you, boss. Let’s get you stitched up.”
“You call me as soon as he’s done. I’ll come to the house.”
“It’s just a flesh wound, son…”
“Don’t argue.”
Vienna wiped her tears and moved away from me for a moment. “Sir, I’m so sorry I got everyone in this mess. I’m sorry you’re hurt.”
He reached out and grabbed her hand. “That’s okay, honey. You’re safe now. His mother will want to see you, though. She’s missed you.”
She let a soft smile play on her lips, even though her eyes were still wet.
“Come on, baby, let me take you home.”
“I guess this means your family knows about us.” She looked over her shoulder at Marco, who was leading my father away.
I looked back at Pops and smiled. “I guess it does,” I whispered to her.
28
Vienna
After we got back to Luka's apartment, I took a shower. I had to get all the disgusting feelings off of my skin. The hot water rinsed away my fear and pain. My uncle was dead. I hadn’t seen the body, but Luka made a call on the way home for someone to clean up the mess and he said two bodies, so Armani wasn’t alone. And I didn’t know who killed him. But I didn’t need to. Whoever had taken the shot was trying to protect me.
Somewhere deep down, I knew that Roberto had just tried to do the same thing. But he got lost along the way. Luka never would. He had promised me a thousand times on the ride home that nothing would ever happened to me again, and I believed him. As long as I was by Luka’s side, I would be safe. I didn't know how I could have been so stupid to get myself into that situation.
I had almost died. And for what? The truth?
The truth wasn’t what I needed. Luka was the only thing I needed now.
I could never walk away from the Gioti family.
And I could never walk away from him.
My heart could hardly take being away from him. Luka Gioti was bad for me; he had killed my father, but I had made my choice.
Just as I was about to leave the bathroom, Luka walked in. He was naked.
Chiseled muscles were just visible through the haze I had created with the steam from the shower. I reached out and touched them. My fingers chased a tattoo on his arm.
“You're so Goddamned beautiful. How did I ever let you go?”
“I don't know.”
I moved closer to him, and as I dropped the towel, he wrapped his arms around my naked body. “I will never make that mistake again. You are mine now.”
I nodded against his chest as he tightened his arms around me. He slowly lifted my face to his and gently placed his lips on my own. I felt my whole body melt into his. The kiss grew deeper and I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He playfully bit my bottom lip, causing a shiver to rush through my body. His arms tightened around me and he reached down and squeezed my ass in his hands. He gave it a light smack, then quickly picked me up and placed me on the bathroom countertop.