A few hours early because I see the orthopedic specialist early tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed I won't need surgery!

Also, my group for the Cliche Madness Competition opens tomorrow! Add that book to your library, look for my name and Weekend Getaway then comment why you love it so much!

Thank you for the love and support! Enjoy!
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"Papà?" I repeated breathily, the blood draining from my face.

"Please Madison," Luca pleaded, holding up both hands in surrender.  "Let me explain..."

"Papà!" came the little girls cheerful giggling voice as she ran into Luca's arms.  Luca's face lit up with pure joy, brighter than I had ever seen it, as he caught her effortlessly and spun her in a circle before pulling the girl to him in a loving embrace.

"Buongiorno, Papà!" She giggled as he tickled her tummy and squirmed.

(Daddy!...Good morning Daddy!)

"Buongiorno Principessa!" Luca laughed heartily, covering her pudgy, rosy cheeked face with kisses.

(Good morning, Princess!)

The girl was adorable. She had raven black hair similar to Luca's, the Luciano aquiline nose and same bright smile.  She looked just like him.

As if that wasn't enough of a blow, a slender, attractive woman entered next, calling the little girls name.

"Carina! Oh, eccoti!" The woman laughed and joined Luca in tickling the giggling girl's sides.

(Oh, here you are!)

"Ho trovato Papà!" Carina announced proudly.

(I found daddy!)

"Sì, l'hai fatto!" The woman chuckled then she finally noticed me and stopped, withdrawing her hands from the girl.  Her eyes travelled over my lingerie clad body and her cheeks reddened. "Oh, mi dispiace, Luca. Pensavo fossi solo."

(Yes, you did!)  (Oh, I'm sorry, Luca. I thought you were alone.)

"No, he's not alone," I grumbled angrily, crossing my arms over my chest to cover what I could.

"Madison, don't," Luca warned in a harsh tone then he turned back to the woman.  "Martina, portala a colazione. Saremo giù a breve."

(Martina, take her for breakfast. We'll be down shortly.)

The woman, Martina, nodded and took Carina after Luca gave her a kiss on the cheek.  Martina...M. That's what the tattoo stood for. Once the two of them were gone, Luca closed the door again then turned back to face me.  I was seething.

"You are married?" I snapped in a low tone taking several steps away from him.

"No," Luca promptly answered, shaking his head with hands out in surrender again as he slowly approached me.

"Mistress?" I quirked an eyebrow.

Luca scowled and snapped a quick, "No!" as he continued towards me.

"Then what, Luca?" I yelled, stepping away from him again but the back of my legs hit the bed and I lost my balance tumbling backwards.

Without missing the opportunity, Luca lunged.  I scooted back, fearful for the second time since I've known him but, as always, Luca was much faster.  His knees straddled me and large hands that could set my body on fire grabbed my wrists, pinning me down to the bed. I flailed and bucked, trying desperately to escape but his hold was too tight.

"Madison!" Luca yelled as he hovered over my fighting form. "Madison!" his tone softened.  "Madison..." he hushed softer still, his soft lips finding my collarbone, grazing softly on the flesh using the spot like an off button. "il mio gattina, dolce e esuberante."

(my kitten, sweet and feisty.)

Slowly I calmed at Luca's soothing voice like a spell only he knew how to cast.  My chest heaved for air but my body soon relaxed beneath him. When I finally completely stopped fighting him, he raised his face to peer down at mine.

"Martina," He sighed, trying to steal his expression.  Was that a smirk?  "Is Dom's wife.  Not mine."

My eyes widened.  "What?"

"She helps take care of Carina," He smirked wider with a sprinkle of smugness. My eyes widened as I inhaled a sharp breath. "Carina is my neice."

"Oh..." was all I could say. 

"Mhmm," Luca groaned.  One knee lifted to wiggle its way to spread mine, easily making way for the other so he could situate himself between my now trembling legs.

"B-but she called you...Papà," I  countered, my voice shaking as those lips found my collarbone again.

"Mhmm," he hummed smugly against my neck now that he gradually eased my arms down, still holding both wrists next to my head. I spread my fingers silently prompting him to continue his explanation.

Luca lifted his head to hover over me, rubbing the tip of his nose over mine.  "That...was my other complication."

"Oh..." His eyes lifted to meet mine, shimmering with emotion.

"Brayden was killed in the attack on the club," Luca explained, pain clear in his voice.

"I'm so sorry..." I whispered, cupping his cheek with my hand, just realizing he released my wrists.

"I went to find his wife, Maria," Luca winced, pressing his eyes closed  as he shook his head. 

"She was..." I tried to finish for him and he nodded slowly.

"Luckily, somehow Maria had gotten Carina into the panic room.  That was where I found her."

"So Braydan is..." Slowly, I was putting the puzzle together. "Your father?" 

"He's dead, too, Gattina," Luca confirmed.

My mind was spinning.  That means... "That means you are..."

"Yes," He sighed.  "I am the Don."

Heart racing again, I didn't know what to say.  One thought did flash through my mind. I swallowed, licked my lips nervously and toiled in my head over if I dared ask it.  Would Luca be upset?  He solved my biggest problem for me.

"What is going through that pretty head of yours?" He asked, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.

"I-...was just..." Rolling my head back, I let out a soft groan as Luca's lips grazed my jaw effectively distracting me.

"You were just," He chuckled lightly against my pulse.

"Uhh!" I groaned in frustration, making him chuckle louder.  "I can't think straight when you do that!  Do you want to know or not?"

"Alright, alright," He chuckled but paused his attentions and leaned up to peer down at me.  "Ask."

"What about...my debt?" I winced, prepared for his anger again. His scowl alone made me nervous.

"That was forgiven when I let you go, Madison," Luca answered in a gruff voice.

"Oh...ok..." I stammered, looking away awkwardly.

"You don't have to stay, Madison," Luca explained cautiously but it seemed painful for him to say those words.  "If you go, they will come for you and won't stop until you are dead. You will never be safe but I will leave you be if I knew that's what you really wanted."

"But..." I sensed there was more he wanted to say.

"But...If you stay," That smug smirk of triumph made an appearance as those lips grazed my jawline down to my collarbone. I let out a soft whimper.  "You won't be totally safe either," Luca growled seductively on my shoulder.

"Ohh...?" It came out more like a moan as Luca's hand slid down my side and teasingly pushed my chemise up higher.

"Hmmm, nope," He hummed, languidly peppering kisses over my chest leaving searing heat in each spot he touched as he spoke. "You would be...tortured...teased...touched and...made to scream."

"Is that all?" I quipped breathily. 

"Oh no," Luca chuckled, pressing lingering searing kisses down to the quaking valley of my chest.  "You would be fed well...held when you cry...or when you sleep..." Green eyes watched my face as he kissed his way down the center of my now exposed stomach travelling lower and lower. "You would be hunted...and found..." I writhed under his touch. "Thoroughly devoured and shattered...every day...and every night...and maybe...when you ask nicely."

I chuckled at his last comment and dug my fingers into his hair.  The spell he put me under made me want to agree to anything.  If only it didn't sound exactly like when I agreed to be his Elite.

"So...things wouldn't...change much..." I asked breathlessly as he kissed over my belly button. He stopped just above my panties.

"Madison," His gruff voice broke the spell.  I sat up on my elbows to look at him  "Everything would be different.  Don't you realize that?"

"What you just described is exactly like what we were underground!" I argued.  "I leave, I die.  I stay, I'm right back being your Elite, to use for your pleasure anytime you wanted. Except we'd probably actually go farther this time."

Lightly Luca's fingers played with the top hem of my panties, pulling them down on the left side.  My breath hitched watching this movement. Luca was revealing my tattoo, my permanent reminder of our agreement shortly after I was first introduced to him.

"This mark," Luca softly spoke, grazing the tattoo with his fingertips. "Carries so much more meaning than you understand, Madison."

I inhaled sharply, rolling my eyes closed and head back deeper into the pillow as he casually pressed his soft, warm lips to that spot.  He gently massaged with languid open mouth kisses over its tenderness. I lightly squirmed and let out soft moans in response.  My core was pulsing with hunger and need. Then it stopped and I was was met with those orbs and their raging battle.

"Stay, Madison," Luca asked softly, silently begging with those enrapturing eyes.  "Please stay...and let me show you."

Nodding and licking my lips, I sealed my own fate.  "OK."

****

"Are you sure she's going to like me?" I asked nervously.

Luca chuckled and kissed my temple.  "She will love you."

I turned and rested my hands on Luca's hips, pivoting him to look at me. "Promise?" I smirked up at him.

"Promise," He smiled back, gently gliding his knuckles down my cheek.

We had each showered and dressed before coming downstairs to meet up with Carina.  I was amazed that Luca had a walk in closet full of woman's clothes that, as Luca explained, had been set aside for me.  When I asked him why, he just kissed my forehead and told me I would find out soon enough.

I had to trust him.  So I chose a pair of dark tan shorts and a pleated white blouse to match with brown flat sandals. Luca emerged looking fabulous as always in a beige suit, white dress shirt and dark blue tie.

"I feel severely underdressed," I commented dryly, eyes taking in his form.

"You look beautiful as always."

Now he led me downstairs through this beachhouse toward the kitchen to properly meet Carina.  I was falling quickly in love...with this house.  The walls were all white, the hardwood floors all a sandy gray, the furniture was blonde oak, everything felt so light and airy.

Luca's penthouse had been gorgeous but felt dark and masculine.  This house felt light, airy and more like a home. The only thing it lacked was some decorations and splashes of color. A woman's touch.

We passed through the bright, open living room with light beige furniture and pillows of white and teal. The oceanfront view was on full display in every room with floor to ceiling windows.  Then we entered the kitchen and it took my breath away.

White walls, white cabinet doors over a blonde wood base. Teal frosted glass on the uppers gave it a very luxurious look.  The turquoise subway tile gave a simple pop of color to the room. 

"Papà!" The joyous voice of Carina called as soon as we walked into the room. 

"Principessa pittore!" Luca laughed, crouched and wiggled his fingers as he scurried across the room. "Sei coperto di vernice! Non dipingermi!" He added in a high pitched voice, feigning fear of Carina's threat.

(Princess painter!) (You're covered in paint! Do not paint me!)

"Ti ho fatto una foto," Carina proudly announced.

"Ahh! In inglese per favore," Luca scolded playfully.

"I made you a picture."

"It is beautiful!" He praised.  "Just like you Princess. Now, go wash your hands, please.  There is someone special I want you to meet."

"Ok, Papà!" Carina giggled, squirming off the chair then running off to a bathroom. Her tight raven curls bounced freely around her cherub face as she ran. I couldn't help but smile watching her run off in her frilly pink dress.

"She's adorable, Luca," I told him.  He was watching her run away too, with his fists in his pockets and a sad, distant look on his face.

"She looks just like him," He sighed with the faintest of smiles.

"But prettier," I tried to joke.  It earned a small scoff from Luca.

Closing the small distance between us, I wrapped my arms around his middle and leaned my cheek on his chest.  The feel of his arms going around me was sweeter and more comforting than I remembered.

"Oooo, kiss her Papà! Kiss her!" Carina giggled and clapped from hiding around the doorway.

Luca exhaled and shook his head but I could guess he was smiling. The thumbs up wasn't subtle, though.  Shyly I stepped out of his hold.

"Come here, Princess," Luca beckoned as he squatted down to her height.  "I want you to meet someone very special to me, Tesoro."

Carina leaned in toward Luca's ear and cupped a hand to cover her mouth but she whispered very loud, probably adorably ignorant that I heard her say, "She's pretty, Papà."

"Yes she is, Tesoro," Luca chuckled then looked up at me.  "This is Madison.  She will be staying here with us."

I squatted too when Carina padded her way up to me.  She reached out and ran her tiny fingers through my hair, smiling softly in a miniature version of Luca's smile. When her eyes looked up to mine, I saw the most beautiful version of Brayden's eyes with flecks of gold and hazel.

"Are you going to be my new Mommy?" She asked me with hope brimming in her eyes.

Luca shifted and opened his mouth to interject but I held up a hand to signal I could handle it.

"Dolcezza, I could never replace your Mommy," I started cautiously. "What I would absolutely love is..." I paused and tapped my chin thoughtfully. "To have tea parties with you, we could do mani/pedi's. I bet your Papà isn't too good and painting nails, is he?"

(Sweetie)

Carina giggled at that and we both wrinkled our noses. Luca stood up and scoffed.  "Forgive me for not going to beauty school!"

"I forgive you, Papà!" Carina chimed.  I covered my mouth to hide my laugh.  This kid was hilarious!

"Are you going to marry my Papà?" Carina asked, now fixated on a different question.

I glanced up at Luca who was covering his mouth with a fist, hiding his laughter.  It was adorable how red his cheeks were turning though.

Turning my attention back to this clever little girl, I crooked my finger for her to come closer.  With a broad smile, she scooted closer and turned her ear to my mouth.

"Let's see if he behaves first, ok?" With a wide grin, Carina nodded.

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