A/N: There's some potential triggering info in this chapter. There's descriptions of domestic abuse. Please read safely, Little Bees ❤.

Luca trailed his fingers over Nadia's legs that were draped over his lap as they read quietly on the couch together. They've become accustomed to spending their evenings like this. 

It's been two weeks since they came back from Japan and things couldn't have been better. They found it easier to hide their growing relationship, although the office was still keen on their union and the bet was going strong, but that didn't matter.

Ciara hadn't started any issues with Nadia being appointed to the director position or the new nickname the office gave her. Matter of fact, Luca hadn't been getting any messages from Ciara's various numbers either. It was a nice feeling, but he knew it wouldn't last. She didn't give up so easily and definitely not without making a fuss.

For now, I'm going to enjoy the peace.

Especially when he had someone as enticing as Nadia to delight in and oh how he loved to hear her screams. His hand slowly inched down her thigh. His fingers dipped between the warm crevice between her legs and gently massaged her clit through her leggings.

She moaned and slowly rocked her hips against his wandering hand. "Stop being a tease. You know I have to go soon." 

He checked his watch and grinned. "We have plenty of time." He put his book down and gripped the waist of her pants and slowly slid them down her legs. He stopped at her knees and looked at her sensuous green orbs. "Unless, you don't want me to?"

"He says with her pants halfway down her legs," she rolled her eyes and threw her book to the side. "Yes I want you to," she growled.

That growl in her voice rolled over his skin and sent a zing straight to his groin. He pulled her pants from her legs, threw them behind him and spread her legs over his shoulders before he devoured her delicious snatch.

His hands found their way under her shirt and he rolled her nipples between his fingers as she teased his senses with her melodic moans and mewls. She dug her nails into his hair and ground her hips against his face. She cried out as he pinched her nipples and shuddered beneath him. He hummed and groaned into her as he lapped up her sweet addicting nectar. He had never craved anyone like this. He was home between her thighs and he wanted all of her, all the time. 

He watched her face contort into one of sheer pleasure and shivers raced down his spine. They didn't have to be in a session or do anything sexual for him to be enamored by her, but God he would do anything to keep her satisfied like this.

Yes, ma petite fleur, I am in love with you...

Luca walked Nadia to the door after they took a quick shower. She was kitted in a black leotard and sheer purple ballet skirt that did nothing but make him want to take her back to the damn bedroom.

Calm that second brain in your pants, Luca...

She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm going to my place tonight. It's closer to the studio and our practices tend to run a bit late now. I don't want you to wait up for me." 

"That's fine, baby," he kissed her softly and touched his knuckles to her chin. "Call me when you get home."

She frowned. "But that defeats the purpose of you not waiting up for me."

He chuckled, "as if I'd go to sleep without knowing you were home safe."

"I have bodyguards for that reason." 

"Mm-hm, but they're not me. I still like to hear it from you that you're safe." 
She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Fine, Mr. Underworld. I'll humor your protective antics."

"Thank you," he said and kissed her forehead. "Have a good practice. Tell Minerva and Raquel I say hello."

"I will," she grinned and leaned up on her tiptoes to peck him on the cheek before she stepped onto the elevator. "Good night," she waved as the doors closed.

Luca sighed and went in the kitchen to make a cup of tea. He leaned against the counter and waited for the water to boil. His eyes scanned his penthouse and stopped at the vivid bursts of color from the growing greenery that pierced through the ebon decor. 

A smile tugged at his lips. Nadia brought life into his home and it felt so empty without her. He never realized how empty he felt without her. 

I never thought I'd feel like this for anyone.

He wanted to let her see all of him and let her into the darkest parts of his soul. He slid a hand over his heart and let out a slow breath. 

Slow down, Luca.

Nadia might not be ready for that. They had more to learn about each other before spilling their souls or making any serious commitments to each other. He sighed and tonight would be the perfect time to read that file on Jonathan.

He turned to the whistling kettle and poured the boiling water into a mug. He hadn't had a moment to himself like this to go through it and it was probably time that he did.

He padded down the hall to his office, sat in his chair and opened the drawer next to him. He slowly sat the mug on the desk and stared at the thick manila folder with J. Hatch written on the label.

He tugged it out and placed it in front of him. Nadia already told him what happened to her but he knew from his own case that the evidence was going to unnerve him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Jonathan's men were still watching her and he needed to know why Jack refused to confront them.

He opened his eyes and peeled the cover of the folder back. He scanned Jonathan's information. Forty-two year old, white Caucasian male, son of Marcus Hatch of Hatch Engineering. Net worth sixty-five million. Member of S.A.F. 

Luca's blood ran cold at those three letters that graced the page. 

Syndicates of American Fulfillment. 

They were a group of wealthy business moguls that were highly nationalistic and believed in a pure American society. They were powerful and held a lot of influence over the government. 

They also ran a secret and successful child kidnapping ring. The one that kidnapped him as a child. They took children who were academically gifted with good physical genes from white underprivileged and low income families. The families they knew couldn't afford to keep looking for their child.

S.A.F. agents snatched him from a park when he was five years old. They tried to 'indoctrinate' him into their xenophobic teachings and re-home him to one of their qualified families. They didn't know he was the grandchild of a Rodawson, a prominent member of S.A.F. - Former member.  His mother took care of that. She threatened to out their disgusting operation if they didn't return him.

Luca was one of the lucky ones, but there were so many kids in that facility that never made it home. He slid a hand over his face. "Fuck," he whispered.

No one messed with S.A.F. 

Even though his grandfather was an influential member, no one dared impeded on the supremacy of the Ringleader, the unnamed benefactor of the organisation. Whoever that person was, they were feared and revered by a lot of powerful people in this country.

How the hell did Nadia put someone like Jonathan in jail?

Luca thumbed through the pages of Jonathan's personal information. He skimmed over the poly BDSM ring he was involved in and the ten-plus 'kittens' he acquired and shared. 

Luca's lip curled into a snarl as he turned the page and his heart thumped. His hands shook slightly as he read the title of the police report from the night Jonathan attacked Nadia.

Rage coursed through him as he read Raquel's scribbled handwriting of the assault. 

What a fucking coward...

He turned the page and poured over the court case. He studied every word of Jonathan's defense that claimed what he did to Nadia was consensual. That the way he handled her was part of their agreed contract of submission. 

Luca smirked. 

The idiot's lawyers should've known that wouldn't hold up in court.

Jonathan was, rightfully, sentenced to - Luca's eyes grew wide - fifteen years in prison. How the fuck did Nadia's lawyers swing a conviction that steep for someone as connected as him?

Luca thumbed to the next page and his heart sank at the evidence that answered his question. Nadia's face was barely recognizable. Her eyes were black and blue and swollen shut. Blood ran from her nose and mouth.  

Tears rolled down his cheeks and he slid a hand over his mouth as he looked through the pictures of what Jonathan did to her. There was a gash across her forehead, cuts and bruises littered her body. Her lower half was covered in dark black bruises the size of a fist and blood pooled between her thighs.

Why...H-how could someone do this?

His hand shook as he turned the page to a picture of blunt objects of various shapes and sizes that had traces of Jonathan's sperm mixed with Nadia's blood on them. Luca's stomach lurched. He closed his eyes and pushed the folder away from him. 

He leaned forward and slid his hands over his ears to calm the panic rising in his chest. He heaved a few deep breaths before a sob choked out of his mouth and he broke down in tears. His heart raged and mourned for Nadia and what Jonathan did to her. Jonathan was never a dom to Nadia. He was just a sick and twisted fuck who collected women to feed his demented ego.

Nadia was lucky she was still alive after the torture Jonathan put her through. She was lucky she was still sane. 

Luca took a deep breath and wiped his hands over his face. He would never make her feel trapped and helpless like she described in her statement. Nadia deserved so much more than that and he would do whatever he needed for her to know that. He would remind her what it felt like to be cherished for who she was. 

And it was time he figured out how to get Ciara out of his life. If Nadia was strong enough to put her abuser in prison, he needed to be strong enough to do the same. He wanted a life with her and he couldn't do that if he didn't face the demon holding him back.

Luca sat up, closed the folder and picked up his phone to call Jack. He got up and stalked out of the office as he waited for Jack to answer.

"This is Jack," he mumbled and stifled a yawn.

"Set up a meeting with Raquel and I want an update on any movement on Jonathan's parole," Luca said as he slipped on a pair of Nike sliders and plucked his keys from the counter.

"Mm, you read the file." 

"Yes. I don't want those fucking S.A.F. goons around her and I know one of them is working at Shola. Find them," he growled as he stepped onto the elevator. 

"Yes, sir. We're on it. I'll keep you updated," he said and there was a slight pause before he continued, "are you okay after reading that?"

Luca closed his eyes and let out a breath. "Not really, but I will be."

"Mm, okay. I know what happened to her was traumatic and you're feeling anxious but Miss Nadia still has practice for another half hour, sir. Don't go interrupting her just because you want to talk. They have a big show they're preparing for." 

Luca chuckled softly, "I know, Jack. I'm alright. I just...I just need to see her," he said and blinked back the tears stinging the corners of his eyes.

"That's understandable, but remember she doesn't know you have that file."

"Yeah, that's why I need to talk to her. I need to tell her my connection to Jonathan before someone else does," he sighed as he walked through the garage to his car. 

"Fair enough. I'll get a security update on your employees tomorrow," Jack yawned.

"Thank you," he hung up and slid into the car. He promised he wouldn't keep secrets from Nadia and he wouldn't do that again. She needed to know how he knew Jonathan even if it scared her.

I want her to know I'd do anything to keep her safe and help her feel whole again. 

A/N: My heart...😭 Jonathan shouldn't be sitting in prison, that fucker should be 6ft under...but I'm glad Luca's keeping his promise to tell Nadia.