While I was still lost in my thoughts, Luca suddenly walked up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me firmly against him.

I gasped softly as my back pressed against his chest. My body froze instantly when I felt the unmistakable hardness in his jeans pressing against me. I gulped nervously, aware that he was smiling behind me.

Slowly, his lips brushed against my neck.

My breath caught.

He began trailing soft kisses along my skin, and without even realizing it, I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access. His lips lingered there as he began to suck gently on my neck, clearly trying to leave a mark.

A quiet moan escaped my lips before I could stop it.

He continued what he was doing, and embarrassingly enough, I was enjoying every second of it. Part of me even wished he would do more.

After a moment, he turned me around so that I was now facing him, my back pressed against the large window behind me. His dark eyes studied my face for a second before he leaned down to kiss me.

Just as his lips were about to touch mine, a knock sounded at the door.

The sudden interruption snapped me back to reality.

I quickly stepped out of his hold and hurried back to my chair, trying to calm my racing heart. Luca straightened himself and calmly told the person outside to come in.

I sat down nervously, glancing toward the door to see who it was.

It was Gina.

She stepped inside the office and asked Luca if he would like to have dinner downstairs at the dining table since Leon had requested everyone eat together.

Luca shook his head.

"No. Just bring my dinner upstairs when it's time," he said casually.

Gina nodded before leaving the room again.

Once the door closed, Luca returned to his desk and sat down, his eyes immediately settling back on me.

I quickly looked away, suddenly feeling shy.

The silence between us felt awkward.

Trying to break the tension, I looked back up at him.

"So... Luca," I began hesitantly, "why don't you tell me how you built all this? Or maybe how the Italian mafia even started?"

He leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Well," he said with a small sigh, "that's a long story."

"Good," I replied quickly. "Because I have all day to listen."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Well, unfortunately I don't. I have things to handle later. But I can tell you a little while I'm still here."

"Deal," I said.

He paused for a moment as if deciding where to begin.

"Our family originally came from the Sicilian mafia," he finally said.

I leaned forward slightly, listening carefully.

"The first Don of what later became the Italian mafia was once just an errand boy for the Sicilian boss many years ago. He was extremely loyal and carried out every task perfectly. Because of this, the Sicilian boss trusted him deeply."

Luca paused briefly before continuing.

"When the boss decided it was time to step down, everyone expected him to pass the throne to one of his two sons. But instead... he gave it to the errand boy."

My eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

Luca nodded.

"He believed the boy would be a better leader than his sons. He still left his sons with large amounts of money, properties, yachts, and businesses. One of them accepted it and moved on with his life."

"And the other?" I asked.

"The other was furious."

Luca's voice lowered slightly.

"He couldn't accept that a commoner had been chosen over his own blood. So he challenged the new Don... and took the throne by force."

"So what happened to the first Don?" I asked.

"He left Sicily," Luca said calmly. "With nothing."

My eyes widened again.

"He went to Italy and started over from the streets. At first, he worked with street dealers selling cocaine. But eventually he saved enough money to start his own operations."

Luca's voice carried a strange respect as he continued.

"From there he expanded. First drugs... then weapons... then international connections. Soon he was supplying different cartels and criminal organizations across multiple countries."

"Wow," I whispered.

"He eventually built an empire," Luca continued. "And since there was no organized mafia structure in Italy at the time, he formed what became known as the Italian mafia."

He leaned back slightly.

"And over time, it grew into one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world."

I stared at him, completely fascinated.

"That's... actually kind of insane."

He chuckled softly.

"Eventually he fell in love and got married," Luca added. "They had two children—a son and a daughter."

"The son became the heir," I guessed.

"Exactly."

"And the daughter?"

Luca smiled slightly.

"She became one of the most feared assassins in the world."

My jaw dropped.

"No one knew her real name or face," he continued. "She always used fake identities."

"That's actually kind of cool," I admitted.

Luca laughed softly.

"And ever since then, leadership has passed down through generations."

"So the next leader will be your son?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"But what if you don't have one?"

"Then I appoint someone capable who understands the responsibilities of the mafia."

I narrowed my eyes at him playfully.

"Well that might be difficult if a gigolo like you never settles down."

He burst out laughing.

"Well... we'll see."

After a moment I asked another question.

"If your kingdom is in Italy... why are you here in America?"

"Because Leon manages the Italian operations," Luca replied. "I oversee our businesses here."

"That explains why you weren't around last week," I said.

He nodded.

"Exactly."

He then glanced at the time.

"I should stop here. I have some issues to deal with right now."

"That's fine," I said as I stood up. "I'll just go back to my room."

"See you later," he said.

I nodded and left his office.

⸻

When I got back to my room, I collapsed onto my bed.

This mafia world was much bigger than I had imagined.

They were everywhere.

It felt like if someone ever tried to run from them... they would always be found.

I was still lost in those thoughts when I suddenly heard a voice behind me.

"So you're just going to lie in bed all day? You're so boring."

I jumped slightly and turned around.

Melissa stood at the door dressed entirely in black, smiling at me.

"Well?" she said with a playful smirk. "Aren't you going to hug me?"

I jumped off the bed and wrapped my arms around her.

"Okay, okay!" she laughed. "I said hug me, not suffocate me!"

"Oh! Sorry," I said quickly as I let go.

"But how did you get in here?" I asked, confused.

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"For starters, I knocked until my knuckles hurt. But miss Tinkerbell here was too busy daydreaming."

"Oh... sorry."

"So," she continued, clapping her hands excitedly, "get dressed."

"Why?"

"Because we're going shopping."

"I don't have any money," I said.

Melissa waved her hand dismissively.

"Relax. Luca gave me his credit card. He literally said, 'Take her shopping or whatever women do.'"

I laughed.

"Okay then. Give me a minute."

I quickly changed into a yellow summer dress and a pair of sandals before returning.

Melissa looked me up and down.

"Perfect," she said.

"Let's go."

Why did Gina interrupt Luca and Rosa your thoughts about Melissa
And Luca and Rosa's little moment
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