Luca's POV
I sat in that diner till the morning sun began to shine through the frosty windows and people began to fill the booths. My back was stiff from sitting at this counter and pushing around the hashbrowns and eggs on my plate for so damn long.
I love Keeley, and I know she loves me, but can she really love me if I've not shown her my life before she walked into it? Will she still love me after seeing what my life is like, my life away from her? I've never allowed myself to be open with her about what I do out of fear she'll leave me. But, Keeley's got demons of her own. And if she's not willing to accept me for mine when I'm willing to accept hers, is the relationship really worth it?
I've sat in this diner since the stranger left, thinking to myself about what I could do to show her I'm all in and that she doesn't have to protect me from the horrors of her life. I had finally come up with an idea, but I'm not sure how well it's going to go over.
I pay my bill and leave, already planning out how to get this past her father. Is there a chance Dominic will say no? I'd be surprised if he didn't, but it's worth a shot.
When I pull up into the driveway fifteen minutes later, I turn the ignition off and take in a deep breath. The sun is low in the sky, but you can already tell it's going to be blue skies all day.
I finally work up the confidence to exit my car and go into the house, making it a point to go straight to her father's office. The halls are oddly quiet and it makes my nerves skyrocket. You'd have to be stupid to ask Dominic for anything, much less to take his daughter away for the weekend and introduce her to another mafia's group who handles the dirty work. But lucky for me, I'm sort of madly in love with someone who is worth looking stupid for.
I knock on the heavy door three times and wait for him to invite me in. The moment he does, I ease open the door and slip in. I shut it behind me, and when I turn to face him, I nearly shit my pants.
Now, I handle hard situations very well. Being in the line of work we are, you have to be. I can kill without blinking, I can negotiate agreements with drug lords, and I can appear deathly if I choose. I've been trained to handle all of those things. What I have not been trained for, however, is talking to my girlfriend's mob-boss father about taking her away to a different state only a week and a half after a drug cartel tried to kill her.
He sat behind his mahogany desk with his arms folded across his chest. A fire crackled in the fireplace and the shades behind his desk had been drawn open so sunlight could flood the room.
"Yes, Luca?" he asked motioning for me to sit down. I walked towards one of the leather chairs situated in front of his desk and took a seat.
"As you know already, Keeley and I got into a pretty big fight this morning," I began, my voice surprisingly calm and collected.
He leans back in his chair and rests his right ankle over his left knee, his hands folded in his lap.
"Yes, I was there," he spoke. I couldn't gauge how he was feeling as I shifted in my seat.
"Well, I got to thinking, and Keeley doesn't know that much about me. She's never asked, but I've also never offered up any details. I love her, and I want to show her my life."
"What are you getting at?" Dominic asked like he already knew I was going to ask him something he wasn't going to be on board with.
My father has a strict set of rules he has placed since we've been living in America. The first rule? Don't frustrate, piss off, or anger Dominic. The Capos have given each other permission to stab any of their kids should there be a good reason, although I had a feeling this rule did not apply to Keeley. I also thought this last part was just for a good laugh, but it's all I can think about right now.
"A few of my friends are getting together in Las Vegas this week. I planned on going by myself, but I think it would help Keeley get to know me if she tagged along."
The silence that surrounded us made me extremely uncomfortable. I sat there, in Dominic's expensive leather chair, in sweats, a sweatshirt, and boots. I looked terrible from getting no sleep, and all I could feel were his eyes analyzing me. Dominic Harris intimidated me more than I knew was possible.
"These friends of yours, you work with them, correct?" I nodded my head.
"Are they older?" I nodded my head yet again. I was the baby of the group even though I had the most field experience, but it didn't change the dynamic at all. I trusted those people with my life, and they did the same. We had all seen and done some pretty messed-up shit together. I sometimes trusted them more than I did myself.
"So, let's just make sure I've got this correct." Shit. "You think that taking my daughter to meet people you kill other people with, not even two weeks after somebody had tried to kill her, is a good idea?"
Dominic leaned forward and rested his forearms on the desk between us, not once taking his metallic eyes off mine. I swallowed hard before answering.
"Yes."
I heard him huff before responding. "Luca, I get that you and Keeley have a lot to work through concerning opening up to each other, but I don't think that this is the best way to go about it."
"But-" I tried to intervene but he held a hand up.
"There is a price on Keeley's head right now from the Chavez cartel, a big one. She almost died, Luca. Do you understand that? What you're asking me is very big. We both know she's been having a hard time lately with everything that has been going on, not only with her friends but with her brothers. She needs to fall back into a routine before an impromptu trip in the middle of winter."
He looks at me like it's the end of the discussion, but I won't take that as an answer. Keeley needs this, I need it.
"With all due respect, Dominic, I don't agree," I state quietly but without any hesitation. He cocks an eyebrow at me and gestures his hand as an invitation to continue.
"These past weeks for Keeley have been hell. I think, if anything, an impromptu trip would help her relax. I would never let anything happen to her. She's the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't take those words lightly. She can handle her own, but I'll handle anything for her. As for the people, they're only a couple of years older than me, and if Keeley can relate to anybody, it's them. I trust those people with my life, and I wouldn't even fathom introducing Keeley if I didn't know we all had each other's best interests at heart.
"I want Keeley to be a part of my life, hell, I want her to be my life. I can't do that though if she doesn't know much about me. Those people? I've grown up with them. They mean a lot to me and I think Keeley and I can learn a lot about each other if we were to take this trip."
I looked at Dominic as he stared back at me. I wanted this badly. I've met her friends, I have an idea about her past. She has none of that from me. I want to show her.
"If I were to say yes," Dominic began. I tried to hide my excitement. "I would need to talk it over with your father. Not to be mean, but I trust his judgment more than I trust yours. Secondly, I would need to know that there would be no funny business between the two of you."
I could feel my ears instantly heat up as I cleared my throat. I could see a glint of humor mixed in with the seriousness of his stare.
"Um- you wouldn't have to worry about that. We haven't um- you know," I stuttered while wiping my palms on my pants, increasingly aware of how tense the from had become.
"Oh," he spoke like he was actually surprised. "I just assumed due to the hickies you sometimes leave on her neck that she doesn't always seem cover-up that you two had evolved to that stage of your relationship."
Dominic's words came out a bit bitter, but I was too horrified to say anything. I could feel my neck starting to clam up and I'm not sure my eyes could open any wider if I wanted them to.
"Nope, we uh- anyway," I spoke trying to change topics. I don't think I had ever been more embarrassed in my life.
Dominic's cold demeanor broke as a small chuckle escaped from his lips. Although, when he looked at me again, there was no sign of humor in his eyes, only sincerity.
"I need to know that she'll be safe, Luca. Her life is kind of a wreck right now and I don't want to put her in a situation where it could get worse."
"I understand and completely agree, Dominic. I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't confident she would be taken care of."
He looked long and hard at me, internally debating on whether or not this is okay. I prayed it was.
After a moment, he sat up straighter in his chair and adjusted the collar on his shirt.
"When would you leave?" I almost squealed.
"Well, they are arriving later this afternoon. I was originally leaving today, but I can put it off until this weekend if need be," I spoke hoping he couldn't hear the desperation in my voice.
"I want her back by Sunday, Luca. And I promise you this: if something happens to her, I will personally deliver you to your hell. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, of course." I can't believe he actually said yes.
"Go talk to her and I'll get the information I need from Stefano. If you think she needs this, then you leave today. Got me?" he asked with his voice coming out a bit forced.
I nodded my head profusely and left the room not even waiting for him to have the chance to change his mind. Things are going to change for Keeley and me starting today. I just hope she opens the door when I knock.
***
Keeley's POV
I'm just stepping out of the shower when I hear three knocks at my door. I wrap my towel around me tightly and shuffle out into my bedroom. The knocking picks up again just as I turn the door handle.
I'm surprised to see Luca standing there. I thought he would want nothing to do with me after I yelled at him this morning.
"May I come in?" he asks me softly. I nod my head and watch as he walks in and sits on the end of my unmade bed next to Gus.
"I'm just going to slip on a robe real quick," I tell him while walking into my closet and slipping on my black robe. I take in three deep breaths and remind myself of what I need to tell him.
I need to tell him that I was unbelievably sorry. I was sorry for yelling at him, for pushing him away, for assuming untrue things about him. I was sorry for never asking about his life and not being a good girlfriend to him. I was sorry for not treating him as he deserved.
I pause in the doorway to my bedroom and look at him sitting on the edge of my bed, his back to me. I can't mess this up. I love him too much to mess this up.
He turns to find me staring. Luca pats the bed and I sit down beside him. He opens his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.
"I am so sorry, Luca, for everything. I've never asked about your life outside of this house and I am so terribly sorry. I'm sorry for not being there for you like I should and I'm sorry for pushing you away earlier."
I turn my head to him and place my hand in his. "And what I said about you never being the hero-"
"Keeley, you don't have to-"
"But I do, Luca. I do," I cut him off. He never asks for explanations, and I appreciate that, but he needs to know.
"You have saved me from myself more times than I can count. I feel safe around you and you made me believe in love again. I'm sorry I ever told you differently and made you feel less than you really are. I love you, Luca, and I'm really sorry."
The dark blue of his eyes was intense as he gazed at me and cupped the side of my face with his palm. His thumb smoothed over my cheekbone as he leaned his forehead against mine.
"I forgive you, Keeley, and I love you too."
He pressed his lips softly against mine as a lone tear fell from my eye.
"You shouldn't forgive me. I was a total bitch to you this morning when you were only trying to help."
"Well, you were a bit bitchy," he whispered as I scoffed and shook my head. "But, to be fair, I haven't given you any reason to believe different. Which is why," he spoke while moving from me to stand up from the bed, "I'm taking you to Vegas."
I openly stared at him.
"So, you're taking me to Vegas because I was a bitch to you?"
"No, I'm taking you to Vegas to meet some of my friends. These are the people I not only trust with my life, but the people I consider my closest friends. I've talked it over with your father already, and he gave us the go-ahead. It's just up to you now. Do you want to go?"
I couldn't form any words at the moment, I was still trying to wrap my head around everything. Luca was giving me a chance to step out of my world and into his. He was willing to offer me this, even after I acted as poorly as I did this morning.
I looked up and into his deep blue stare. He held his calloused hands pressed into his stomach as his shoulders hunched forwards. He looked apprehensive like I would say no, and I thought about it. I was almost killed not more than two weeks ago and the fight with Nick did more than just hurt our relationship, it hurt me. But on the other hand, I haven't had a chance to breathe. Everything is so thick with tension in this house it makes me feel like I'm drowning.
I stood up from the bed and reached up to run a hand through his thick, ebony hair. He looked exhausted with the dark circles under his hopeful eyes and the morning stubble across his jaw. The dim lighting of my bedroom and Gus's soft snores did nothing to help offset the sleepiness I'm sure he was feeling. And if he was that tired and still wanted to take me on a trip because he thought I needed it, who was I to say no?
"Okay, Gnocco, I'll go," I gently smiled. A grin crossed his face as he leaned down and kissed me. "But what about school, and I promised Ryder I'd help babysit his sisters this weekend. And how will your friends feel if I just show up? I don't want to step in the middle of whatever you guys have planned."
"Keeley, baby," he began while wrapping his arms around my waist. "You can graduate at any time with the number of credits you have. Ryder Bannett can kiss my ass for all I care, but I'll get the twins to cover for you. And my friends have been bugging me to introduce you. They'll be more excited to see you in Vegas than they will me."
"Yeah, I doubt that," I laugh while stepping back and scratching Gus's ears. "I've never been without Gus for more than two or three days, though," I whisper sadly.
I've been a little paranoid lately thinking that Adrik is going to show up and either whisk me away or he's going to start killing people I care about, maybe even both. Gus helps me relax and feel grounded.
"Then bring him with. The hotel we're staying at has a doggy-daycare. When we're out, he can stay there, and whenever we're at the hotel or sleeping, he can stay with us."
"You mean it?" I asked softly as I turned my gaze back to Luca. A sincere smile had graced his face.
"Of course, Tesoro. Whatever you need, but you should start packing. Its..." he paused while pulling out his phone to check the time, "7:30 and I want to be out of here by ten."
"What should I pack?"
"Everything really. You'll need some nice dresses, some training clothes I'm sure, casual wear, and it wouldn't hurt to have a bathing suit."
I froze with my hand in the middle of Gus's head. I don't swim, I hate it. Ever since Adrik killed me in that tub, I haven't been able to swim or even take a bath. I can't even let the water in the shower stay on my face for too long without having a brief moment of panic.
"Keeley, are you good, baby?" Luca asked worriedly as he sat beside me and placed a hand on the center of my back.
"I don't swim," I spoke stoically.
"You don't know how to swim?" He sounded surprised, and when I turned my face to his, it was written all over his face. It bugged me that he looked almost humored. "So you do have a downfall, a weakness per se? I never thought that I would find-"
"I drowned once," I horrifyingly spat out in an effort to get him to stop talking, but I think I did just the opposite. His hand freezes from where it had been mindlessly running up and down my back, and it's like I can almost feel his body go rigid in the silence.
I cleared my throat to give an explanation before he asked questions I did not want him to ask.
"I can swim, and I used to love it. But I got trapped underwater once and I've hated the idea of water ever since. I don't swim, I don't take baths, and I can't even wash my face without feeling like I'm drowning. I'll bring a swimsuit, but I can't make any promises.
"After what Nick said, any eyes on my back will feel judgemental and I simply don't like being in the water."
His mouth opened and closed as he tried to figure out what to say. It took him a minute, but when he finally got it, he pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head.
"Of course, my love. This trip is to help you relax and get to see a glimpse into my world, not make you uneasy. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
"Thank you," I whispered before kissing his cheek. "Now, go. If you want me ready in less than three hours, you have to leave."
He smiled before telling me he'd come and get me when it's time to leave. He shut the door on his way out and left me and Gus on my bed, the morning sun creating a small sliver of sunlight through my curtains.
"Well, Gus, looks like you and me are going on a little trip."
***
"Are you sure they're going to like me?" I ask reluctantly as I hold Luca's hand tighter and step into the elevator.
We had checked into the hotel a little less than an hour ago, but not before my father made sure I had packed a minimum of five guns, my favorite knives, and other assorted weapons. He also gave me a stern lecture on how I am to behave in public and in private, although he said this last part while staring dead at Luca whose ears were bright red.
The flight was only about two hours, and when we got to our hotel, I could barely speak. We were on the top floor of the most luxurious hotel in Vegas, fit with pretty much anything I could ask for. I had put Gus's bed in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows where he had been laying ever since.
It took me a little bit to freshen up and determine that my outfit was perfect. Luca said that he wanted me to wear something scandalous, but I settled for something a bit milder. Luca was wearing dark blue dress pants with a white button-down, so I opted for something somewhat matching.
I wore a long-sleeved dark blue dress with lacy sleeves. It hugged my body and ended about mid-thigh, but it also had a deep neckline that made me feel a bit more confident. It was long enough to where I could have a couple of knives holstered to my thighs, and it went perfectly with a pair of heels in the same color. Luca had asked that I wear my hair pulled back so he could look at my tattoos, and I did this gladly.
The bracelet he had bought me sat on my right wrist, and my clutch could fit my gun in it. I felt pretty confident about my outfit, and when Luca openly stared at me for a solid thirty seconds before saying anything, I knew it had been the right choice.
"Keeley, they're going to fucking love you. Plus, you can hold your own. There's nothing to worry about."
He smiled softly at me as we stepped off the elevator and headed towards the hotel restaurant where we were meeting them. I straightened my spine and put on a brave face as the hostess led us through a maze of tables and to the very back. The restaurant was dark and furnished with hardwood tables and leather chairs. I felt like I was at a supper club in the forties.
Laughs filled my ears as we walked through a door and into a private room. In it were four people who I presumed were his friends. Luca didn't say anything at first, but rather accompanied his smile with a raised eyebrow as he watched them.
The one girl or woman was arguing with a dark-haired guy as the blonde and the red-headed friends sat laughing. Luca's smile only grew as the volume of their laughter rose.
"Spero che tu non stia ridendo a mie spese," Luca sarcastically called out. All of their heads snapped to us at once.
(I hope you're not laughing at my expense)
"Luca!"
Everyone was out of their seats in seconds as they ambushed Luca and wrapped him in hugs. I stood just outside of their circle, admiring the way they all clung together and smiled.
"And this must be Keeley," the girl smirked. To put it mildly, she was flat-out gorgeous. For one, her hair was more beautiful than I could ever hope mine to be. Between its carmel color and the way it was curled, I thought it was something out of a commercial. Her height accentuated her natural hourglass figure, and the dress she was wearing was something I would never be able to pull off. Her full face and natural accent had even me swooning over her.
"Hi, nice to meet you," I spoke kindly while reaching out my hand. She shooed it away and pulled me in for a hug instead.
"It is so great to meet you too, Keeley. I'm Ilaria." The smell of her perfume made me never want to let go, well that and she was a great hugger. And the way her r's rolled off her tongue, I never wanted her to stop talking. What's going on with me?
Luca luckily stepped in and pulled me away from her, successfully getting me out of her trance.
"Ilaria, for once in my life, can you not take my girlfriend for yourself?" Luca laughed while looking down at me. The three guys agreed with Luca and started a new debate on how she always steals all the women.
"Luca, I-"
"I know, Keeley," he laughed while kissing my head. "She has that effect on everyone. I'm immune to it, but even my Nonna gets swept up in it when Ilaria visits."
I nod my head slowly as I turn back to the group.
"Children," Luca chuckles to get their attention back to him, "I would like to introduce the rest of you."
The three guys smiled and stepped forward.
"Keeley, this is Diangelo." Diangelo greeted me with a small smile and a handshake. He was rather handsome, and no doubt Italian. His sharp features gave him a sense of danger, and his perfectly styled dark hair only enhanced that. He was tall, only an inch or two shorter than Luca, and a heavy gold watch sat on his wrist.
"This is Emile," Luca introduced. When Emile spoke, his voice was heavily accented with French. He was a smooth talker, and his long blonde hair was tucked neatly behind his ears. His eyes were a dark, dark brown, and even with his good looks, he gave off an eerie vibe. Emile was the only one dressed in a full three-piece suit.
"And this fucker, is Ferg."
"My name is Fergus, you stupid whore," Fergus spat out with a thick Scottish accent but still with a devilish grin across his face. He was most definitely the tallest in the room, and I thought it was rather comical he was wearing jeans and a hand-knit sweater. His hair was a deep, intense shade of red, and his spine was stiff as a board. He shook my hand rather tightly and I had a feeling he shared my love for smartass remarks.
"It really is great to meet all of you," I laughed lightly while looking at all of them. I felt Luca's hand rest on my hip.
"A girl with manners and class, that's new for you, Luca," Fergus laughed. Everyone but Luca laughed, he was only feigning his hurt. We all sat down at the large wooden table in the room.
"Manners? Keeley? Yeah right," he scoffed. My mouth fell open at his comment as everyone ooo'd  at him.
"Do you really want to play that game... Arturo?" I asked, my voice full of suggestion. He raised an eyebrow at me as a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He rested an arm on the back of my chair and I met his eyes.
"Wow, is there always this much sexual tension when you two are in a room together?" Diangelo asked while taking a sip out of his martini glass. My head fell back in a fit of laughter as Luca's ears, yet again, turned bright red. Only this time, his neck was the same shade.
After the laughter died down, easy conversation picked up between the six of us. It was fun getting to meet his friends and learn more about Luca. They all got along so well and you could physically see the trust between them. I took part in the conversation as well, but for the most part, I listened and absorbed everything I could.
Lunch was eaten as Frank Sinatra sang in the background and as drinks were served. It was probably the most fun I'd had in a while.
"You've got to be kidding, Emile," Diangelo spoke wildly. "I would kill you in fight!"
"Absolutely not. The only people I can't beat here are Luca and Ilaria. Fergus's ass? Hit em' in the knee, he's done. You? One punch to your pretty teeth and you'd be out for the count."
"Bold of you to assume you could beat Keeley, considering you said the only people in this room that can take you on are myself and Ilaria," Luca confidently spoke from beside me. I choked on my glass of water as all attention turned to me.
"Well," I began at a loss for words, "I'm sure you're a great fighter."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emile shouted. The table burst into laughter at his comment. Well, everyone except for myself.
"Keeley," Ilaria smirked, "are you a good fighter?"
"Of course she is. Look at her," Fergus smiled. "She looks like she could take on anybody here and win."
"She has beaten me once," Luca spoke slyly while drinking from his glass.
I'm not sure of how much weight those words held coming from Luca, but by the shocked faces around the table and belly laughs from Fergus, I'm sure they meant a lot.
"You've got to be shitting me," Ilaria murmured.
"I would have beaten him twice," I brag thinking back to when we had family day and the two of us had to wrestle in the backyard. It was the day after Tommy nearly strangled me to death.
"Why didn't you? Beat him the second time, I mean," Diangelo asked, suddenly very interested in me rather than his martini.
I could feel Luca's eyes burning into the side of my face. He still doesn't know that it was Tommy who did that to me. But you know what, this trip was for learning more about each other. And he couldn't kill Tommy if he was here... right?
"I had gotten into an altercation the night before. I was caught off guard, and unfortunately, the um- the guy had gotten a pretty good hold on my neck. My throat was purple and black for a couple of weeks."
"You were strangled? Do you know who did it?" Ilaria questioned.
I tried not to look at Luca, but I couldn't help it. His face was stoic, but I could tell by the way his eyes zeroed in on mine that he was fuming inside.
"It was Tommy, wasn't it?" he asked while sitting up straighter. "That's why at Axel Carter's New Year's Eve gala, you danced with him. That mother fuck-"
"Luca," I cut him off while placing a hand on his arm, "now is not the time. Everything has been taken care of. Do not lose your shit over some little bitch."
"I like the way she talks," Emile mumbled to himself as he took a drink.
Luca shot him a look, but after a short stare down between the two of us, he backed down.
"I want to see some fighting. I know we just had lunch, but to be honest, did any of us really eat that much?" Diangelo motioned to our mostly full plates.
"I'm down. There's a full gym in the basement, specifically for us, thanks to some strings I pulled earlier. Why don't we meet back down there in fifteen minutes?"
Everyone immediately left the table, and it wasn't until Luca was at the door he realized I wasn't behind him.
"Keeley?"
I turned my head to face him, but I still made no move to stand up. "I should have told you about Tommy. And I'm nervous about fighting. They're going to see, you know."
"My love," he whispered while coming back to me. He tilted my chin up with two of his fingers. "I've chosen to forget about that fucker Tanner for the time being, and if you don't want to fight, that's okay. But if it's any consolation, these are good people. They aren't assholes like Nick who are going to make you feel bad about yourself. trust me, when Emile sees those scars, he's going to shit himself and ask himself what he's gotten himself into."
I let out a soft chuckle as I stood up and kissed him. I pressed my lips to his slowly as one of his calloused hands grasped onto my neck and the other settled much lower. I pressed myself closer to him as his tongue slipped into my mouth and swirled with my own. I tugged on the waistband of his dress pants, successfully eliciting a deep moan from his lips. He pulled away slowly and rested his head against mine.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me, you little tease?" I noticed throughout dinner that Luca's accent was more present than it normally is at home. And just now, when he called me a tease, it had to be the sexiest thing I'd ever heard.
"I only did it because I know that we have to be going before your friends come looking for us," I whispered while stepping out of his arms. His eyes were filled with hunger as his tongue darted out to wet his lips.
"Then I guess we should go."
***
Fifteen minutes later, the two of us met the others downstairs. Fergus and Diangelo were already in the ring throwing punches and sending empty threats each other's way.
"There are our two lovebirds," Ilaria called out. The two in the ring came to a halt as we approached. Luca held my hand in his own as we stopped.
I was wearing a pair of running shorts and a sports bra with a hoodie over me. I had a small pocket knife stuffed into my bra just in case. I was wearing shoes, but those would come off before I actually fought anybody.
"I do believe that it is only fair we start with the two people we came here to see fight. You sure you want to take her on, Emile?" Ilaria spoke with ease as she turned towards the blonde.
He walked over to where we were standing, only stopping to take his shirt off when he got to us. A grin was spread wide across his face.
"Oh, I'm ready. The question is if Keeley's ready or not."
His physique was impressive, but it was nothing I haven't seen before. That happens when you're in a mafia family as well as dating Luca Moretti.
I took a deep breath and put a confident look on my face before pulling my own hoodie off.
"Je ne serais pas si inquiet pour moi, Emile. Je ferai très bien."
(I wouldn't be so worried about myself, Emile. I will do very well)
I hopped in the ring as the other two stepped out, and when I turned back to face them, Luca was right: Emile looked like he was ready to shit his pants. I followed him with my eyes as he climbed into the ring, the sound of muffled snickers filling my ears.
"Where in the fucking hell did you find her, Luca?" I heard Ilaria whisper.
"The first time I saw her, she was covered in blood with a black eye and a gunshot wound to the neck. How could I not grab her?"
I smiled thinking back to the first time we met. It feels like so long ago, when in reality, it has only been a little longer than three months.
"You ready?" I ask Emile as we begin to circle each other. It looks like he had regained his composure, but I could tell he wasn't as confident as when we were at the table earlier.
He opened his mouth to respond, but I didn't give him the satisfaction of responding as I sent out a jab to the side of his face followed by a kick to his head. I could feel the blood start to pump through my veins as I watched him spit blood onto the floor. The voices around us were screaming and cheering as he began to charge.
I side-stepped him at the last moment. His body flew past me as he tripped over his feet. The moment he started to bend over, I sent a hard right hook to his kidney. I heard Luca wince as Emile hit the ground and groaned in pain.
I waited for him to stand back up, but when he didn't, I crouched down by his side.
"You're confident, which is good, but you think you're invincible. None of us are invincible, and when things don't go your way, you act out of anger. Fix those two things, and I think you'll be fine."
I push myself back up and walk over to the other side of the ring.
"Well, that was boring. Does anyone else want to go?" I asked as I leaned onto the ropes. Diangelo and Fergus took minuscule steps back as they both voiced how they were sore from their fight earlier and had to go get Emile out of the ring. I looked at Ilaria.
"I think I would rather see you and lover boy go at it," she responded while nudging Luca with her shoulder. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Fine, but no more kidney punches. I can't take any more of those. I still have my bruise."
I watched as he pulled his t-shirt off by the neck and climbed into the ring. Ilaria let out a low whistle, voicing exactly what I was thinking.
"You know what I think this needs? Music." Fergus turns on some music and I can physically feel the anticipation in the room grow. Luca and I stand chest to chest, staring hard at each other.
"Want to make this interesting?" he whispers. I feel my insides turn in yearning for what he's about to ask.
"Of course I do," I respond while my chest begins to rise and fall.
"Loser has to do whatever the winner asks of them."
I smirk to myself. I don't know what I'll ask of him yet, but I will win.
"Deal."
The first thing he did was swipe his leg into my knees. I stumbled and that was when the first hit came: a solid punch to my rib cage. Something was different about this though, the pain didn't bug me. Instead, it made my blood pump even faster.
I let Luca hit me again, and again. He hit me three times with no defense before he stepped back and looked at me warily.
"Why aren't you fighting back?"
I took in a heavy breath and met his gaze.
"I haven't truly let go in a while, you know? Not full-blown murder mode, but giving it literally everything in me until exhaustion. Like I'm in the field, not the ring."
"Keeley, what's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm letting go."
I pushed off of my right leg and put full force into my shoulder. The two of us went tumbling down and across the mat, Luca groaning in pain. We stood up quickly and I immediately sent a left hook into his jaw and maneuvered my body to miss the kick he was sending my way. I stepped back and let him regain his balance, but then it was on again.
I watched something in Luca snap, and I wasn't ashamed to say it did things to me. This is what he looked like in the field, what a match we are. I saw a kick coming, but I should have been smarter to know that it was just a distraction. A nasty left jab met my mouth and sent me flying back. I met the mat and Luca was on me, getting a hit in at any place he could.
I bucked my hips hard enough for him to lose his balance enough to give me a way out. I rolled to my side and out from under him. Luca's hand grabbed my ankle to pull me back, but I managed to kick up my other foot and connect with his nose. I sat up with my ankle still in his hand and managed two hits to his neck and one to his jaw.
He let go of my ankle and I was up in a second. He didn't let the blood flowing from his mouth stop him as he stood back up.
The two of us immediately began going back and forth sending kicks and hits to each other. This was the Luca I've always wanted to fight. I could see for the first time why he was as good as he was.
Luca's arm came at me again, and instead of blocking it, I grabbed his wrist and bent down. I yanked down as hard as I could. His body tumbled over mine and into the floor. I dove for him, my elbow successfully hitting his gut and causing a groan. Before he knew what was happening I reached into my bra and drew the knife.
"When did we discuss knives?" he asked while rolling back up onto his feet.
"We didn't."
I jumped. I used his momentary surprise to latch my arms around his neck and swing my legs around his torso. I try to push the knife against his throat, but his head is suddenly flying back and catching me in the nose. The knife goes cluttering out of my hand and as I drag him to the floor with me.
I hit the floor with a groan, and he sends an elbow back to my temple. I feel the skin break and my vision is suddenly clouded with red. He chases the knife across the floor, and when he does, I stand back up and ready myself.
The knife is in his grasp for not even a second before he's back at me. I dodge his swipes because I know the first person to break skin with the knife or get it to the other's neck first wins. When he goes at me again, I slide between his legs and hop up. In his moment of confusion, I pull him to the ground where once again, the knife clutters to the floor. His arms are longer than mine, and he reaches it first.
He pulls me into him with his free hand, the knife moving towards me quicker than I'd like. I'm suddenly beneath him. I can tell by the glint in his eyes that he's confident. So when his hand is nearly to my neck, I snag his wrist and buck my hips again.
I twist us so I'm straddling his torso and using all the strength I have to push his hand closer to his own neck. It's only an inch away, and neither of us will budge. On to plan B.
I lock eyes with his and let a sly smirk cross my face as I lean down.
"You know, I don't think I've ever been more attracted to you than I am at this moment, Arturo," I whisper as I press a kiss to his mouth and put more weight on to my hips.
I open my eyes and see that his are hooded over. Taking my opportunity, I use the momentary distraction to finish pushing the knife down till it kisses his skin.
His eyes fly open as I laugh.
"That had to be the hottest thing I've ever seen." My head snaps to Diangelo, who honestly, I forgot was there. In fact, I had forgotten any of them were here.
"I can't believe she beat you!" Ilaria hollered as she jumped up and down. The others joined in as I turned my attention back to Luca.
"Guess I won," I murmured as I pressed another kiss to his mouth. When I pulled back, I felt his hands grab onto my waist and squeeze.
"You really are a little tease, my love," he spoke while shaking his head. "And I don't know when you started calling me by middle name, but I wouldn't be upset if it left those pretty little bloodstained lips a little more often."
I know we both looked crazy at this moment: the both of us bloodied and bruised with my legs straddling his hips, but I didn't care.
If this is how our trip is going to go, I think I'll like Vegas just fine.
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Hey readers! Sorry for the late update, but I'm in the middle of final exams so it's been a bit hard to write. This is a longer chapter, and I hope you love it!
As always, tell me what you think, and Happy reading!
Final Word Count: 7525