******* Luca winced as he stepped out of bed, his body sore in ways he hadn’t expected. The bruising grip Damien had left on his hips and the ache between his legs served as a reminder of the previous night’s intensity. He barely had time to collect himself before strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind, pulling him flush against a hard, warm chest.

"My little wife can’t even walk properly," Damien murmured into his ear, his voice dark with amusement. "Did I break you?"

Luca flushed and tried to wriggle out of his grip, but Damien only tightened his hold.

"Stop teasing," he mumbled, but Damien was relentless. He slid his hands lower, ghosting over Luca’s thighs. "If you ask sweetly, I might carry you today."

"I’m fine!" Luca snapped, pushing his hands away and grabbing his clothes in a hurry. "I have to meet Valarie today. You promised."

Damien exhaled sharply. "Tch. I should've kept my mouth shut."

Luca turned, giving him a pointed look. "A promise is a promise."

Damien only smirked, leaning down to kiss the side of his neck. "I keep my promises. But you keep testing my patience, lyubov'."

Luca rolled his eyes and continued getting dressed, ignoring the heated gaze Damien had on him.

******

Just as he made his way downstairs, a tiny figure barreled into him, wrapping her small arms around his waist. "Luca!" Ava’s voice was shrill with excitement. "Where are you going?"

He softened, crouching down to her level. "I’m going to meet my sister, Ava. I won’t be long."

Ava’s eyes widened, her lower lip trembling. "I wanna go too!"

Luca hesitated. He hadn’t expected this. He turned to look at Damien, who stood behind them with his arms crossed, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

"She’s not going," Damien said, voice firm.

Ava immediately stomped her foot. "I wanna go!" she whined louder, hugging Luca’s arm tightly.

Luca sighed, gently running his fingers through her hair. "Damien—"

"No."

"Please?" Luca looked up at him, his blue eyes pleading. "She wants to come with me. It’s just for a little while."

Damien’s jaw tensed, but seeing the way Luca held Ava protectively in his arms made something twist inside him. His possessiveness flared up, but he also knew he could never truly deny Ava or Luca anything.

"Fine," he bit out. "But take my men with you. I want eyes on you at all times."

Luca exhaled in relief, pressing a soft kiss to Ava’s forehead. "Alright, let’s get ready."

Ava squealed happily and ran off to grab her things. Damien pulled Luca to him before he could follow, gripping his chin between his fingers.

"You think you can charm your way through anything, don’t you kitten?" Damien whispered, eyes dark. "Just because I let this slide doesn’t mean I’m getting soft."

Luca only smirked slightly, placing a quick kiss to Damien’s lips before pulling away. "Of course not, Mr. Mafia Boss."

Damien growled lowly, watching as Luca disappeared with Ava. His heart clenched painfully at the sight, his possessive love growing stronger with every passing second. If Luca thought he could ever leave him, he was dead wrong.

He’d make sure Luca stayed right where he belonged.

****** Luca sat in the back seat of the sleek black car, Ava beside him, practically bouncing with excitement. Her small hands clutched onto his as she chattered non-stop, her golden curls bouncing with every excited movement.

“Aunty Val is going to love me, right?” she asked, her big blue eyes sparkling.

Luca chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Of course. She’s going to love you the moment she sees you.”

Ava giggled and swung their hands together, kicking her tiny feet as the car pulled up in front of Luca’s family home. He hadn’t been back in what felt like forever. His heart clenched at the sight of the familiar house, memories washing over him. The last time he had stood here, he had been a free man. Now, he was owned by Damien.

Before he could dwell on that thought, Ava tugged at his sleeve. “Come on, come on!”

Luca smiled softly and opened the door, stepping out with Ava right behind him. As they walked up the porch steps, the door swung open. Valarie stood there, frozen, her sharp eyes widening in shock.

“Luca?” she whispered, barely believing her eyes.

Luca barely had a second to react before Valarie lunged forward, throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. “Oh my god! I’ve missed you so much, you idiot!”

Luca let out a choked laugh, hugging her back just as fiercely. “I missed you too.”

Valarie pulled back slightly, looking him over with a mixture of concern and relief before her eyes flickered to Ava, who was clinging onto Luca’s hand, watching them with curiosity.

Valarie blinked. “And who is this little angel?”

Ava grinned and proudly announced, “I’m Ava! Luca’s daughter.”

The shock on Valarie’s face was immediate. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she burst out laughing. “Oh my god, you have a kid now ?” She bent down to Ava’s level, grinning. “You’re his daughter, huh? That means you’re exactly like him.”

Ava beamed. “Yep! Papa always says I’m just as stubborn and cute as Luca.”

Valarie threw Luca a look, arching an eyebrow. “Papa?”

Luca groaned, face heating up as he glanced away. “Damien’s daughter.”

Valarie’s teasing smirk softened a little, and she looked back at Ava, ruffling her golden curls. “Well, I can already tell you’re going to be my new favorite person.”

Ava gasped excitedly and clapped her hands. “Yay! Can I call you Auntie Val?”

Valarie’s lips curled into a genuine smile. “Of course, you can.”

Ava squealed in delight and latched onto Valarie’s hand, immediately comfortable. Luca watched them with warmth swelling in his chest. He had been so worried about this meeting, but seeing them bond so naturally put him at ease.

“Come on inside,” Valarie said, stepping aside. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

Luca followed her in, holding onto Ava’s tiny hand, feeling, for the first time in a long time, like a part of him had come home.

****** Luca sat on the couch beside Valarie, watching as Ava happily played with a stuffed bear on the floor. The sight of his little girl—because yes, she was his, no matter what anyone said—laughing so freely in his childhood home filled him with warmth. For a brief moment, it felt like everything was normal again.

Valarie studied him, arms crossed, her gaze sharp. "So?" she finally asked. "Are you really okay? Or are you just saying that so I don't make a scene?"

Luca sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "I'm okay, Val. Really."

Her eyes narrowed. "You say that, but you're living with a mafia boss who kidnapped you. That doesn’t sound like 'okay' to me."

Luca ran a hand through his hair, choosing his words carefully. "He's… changing."

Valarie scoffed. "Men like him don’t change, Luca. They manipulate. They control."

"I know what you're thinking," Luca said quickly. "And I don't blame you for worrying. But Damien—he’s been different lately. He’s… getting gentler."

Valarie’s expression darkened with disbelief. "Gentler? Luca, last time we saw each other, he nearly broke someone's arm for looking at you. Now you're telling me he's suddenly this reformed man?"

Luca bit his lip. "It’s not sudden. But I see it in the way he treats Ava, the way he treats me. He listens now. He let me come here, didn’t he?"

"With conditions, I'm sure," Valarie muttered.

Luca hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. But it’s a start. And I swear, if I ever feel like I’m in danger, I’ll find a way out."

Valarie sighed, rubbing her temple. "You know I love you, right? And I’ll always be here for you?"

Luca smiled, reaching for her hand. "I know. And I love you too."

Ava suddenly jumped up and climbed onto Luca’s lap, her big eyes looking up at him. "Luca, can I have more of your cookies before we go back home?"

Luca chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Only if Val says it’s okay."

Valarie watched the two of them, a conflicted look on her face. She exhaled sharply, shaking her head with a small smile. "You're lucky you’re cute, Ava."

Ava giggled, clapping her hands. "I know!"

Luca met Valarie’s eyes, silently pleading with her to trust him, even just a little. She didn’t look convinced, but for now, she let it go. And that was enough.

******

Valarie smiled as she ruffled Ava’s hair before excusing herself to get some cookies from the kitchen.

Luca, left alone with Ava, knelt beside her and gently took her small hand in his. “Come on, Ava. Let me show you around my house.”

Ava’s bright eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly nodded. “Yay! I want to see everything!”

Luca chuckled and led her through the warm, cozy home he had grown up in. Nostalgia wrapped around him like a comforting embrace as he guided her into the living room. “This is where my family spends most of their time together. We used to watch movies here, play board games, and talk late into the night.”

Ava gasped dramatically and ran to the couch, plopping onto it. “It’s so soft! Do you think Papa would fit here too?”

Luca laughed softly, imagining Damien trying to sit on their old couch. “Maybe, but he’d probably complain that it’s too small for him.”

Ava giggled before jumping up and taking Luca’s hand again. “What’s next? What’s next?”

Luca led her toward the staircase. “Let’s go see my room.”

As they climbed the steps, Ava hummed to herself. When they reached his old bedroom, Luca hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Everything was just as he had left it—the neatly made bed, books stacked on the shelves, and pictures of his family decorating the walls.

Ava immediately rushed to the desk, pointing at the framed photo of Luca and Valarie. “Is this you and Auntie Val?”

Luca nodded. “Yeah, we took that when I was about your age.”

Ava beamed. “You were cute, but you’re even prettier now!”

Luca felt a blush rise to his cheeks. “Thank you, Ava.”

She suddenly gasped and pointed at the bookshelves. “Wow! You have so many books! Did you read all of them?”

Luca smiled proudly. “Most of them. I love reading.”

Ava climbed onto his bed, bouncing slightly. “Will you read to me later?”

Luca sat beside her and nodded. “Of course, I’d love to.”

Just as he was about to continue showing her around, Valarie walked in carrying a tray with cookies and milk. She smirked as she saw Ava sitting comfortably on Luca’s bed. “Looks like she’s already made herself at home.”

Ava clapped excitedly. “Auntie Val, Luca said he’ll read to me later!”

Valarie handed her a cookie with a chuckle. “I’m not surprised. He’s always been a bookworm.”

Luca rolled his eyes playfully before taking a cookie himself. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Valarie grinned. “Not at all. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

As they enjoyed their snacks together, Luca felt an unfamiliar sense of peace settling in his chest. For the first time in a long time, he wasn’t looking over his shoulder or bracing for something to go wrong. He was home, with his sister and Ava, sharing laughter and warmth.

But deep inside, he knew this moment of peace was fleeting. Because sooner or later, Damien would come for him again.

****** As they left Valarie’s house, Ava excitedly held Luca’s hand, her little feet skipping as she chattered non-stop about everything she had seen.

“Auntie Val is just like you, Luca! She even smells like you! And she gave me cookies, and she said I’m pretty like you too!” Ava giggled, squeezing his hand.

Luca smiled warmly. “She really liked you, Ava.”

“I love her too!” Ava declared proudly, swinging their joined hands back and forth.

******

When they arrived home, Damien was already waiting in the living room, leaning back on the couch with his arms crossed, dark eyes watching the door like a predator waiting for his prey. The moment they stepped inside, Ava squealed and ran straight to him.

Her little face lit up with joy as she babbled non-stop about their visit to Valarie’s house.

"Papa! Auntie Val gave me cookies! And said I look like Luca when he was little!" she kept talking a mile a minute. “I love her! We should visit her again! Can we, Papa? Pleeease "she gushed, clinging to his neck while Damien lifted her effortlessly.

His sharp eyes flickered to Luca, who stood behind her with a teasing smirk.

Damien arched a brow. "Oh? So now my daughter is being compared to a pretty little lawyer?" His voice was laced with mock irritation, but the warmth in his gaze betrayed him.

Ava nodded eagerly. "Yes! Auntie Val said I have the same pouty face when I get mad. And guess what, Papa? I love Auntie Val too!" She beamed, her innocent declaration making Luca chuckle softly.

Damien groaned dramatically, his grip tightening on Ava. "Just great. First, Luca forces me to tolerate that woman, and now my daughter is declaring her love for her." He shot Luca a pointed look, but there was no real anger behind it—just the usual possessive glint that never left his gaze when it came to him.

Luca hummed, stepping closer and placing a hand on Damien’s chest. "Oh, come on, don’t be jealous. Ava’s just expanding her family. You should be happy about that," he teased, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

Damien narrowed his eyes, his grip shifting to pull Luca flush against him. "Happy? I’d rather hear you say you love me instead of talking about her."

Luca chuckled. “Jealous?” he asked, arching a brow.

Damien’s jaw tensed. “Tch. That woman is already a pain. Now my daughter is obsessed with her too?”

Ava pouted and whined. “Papa, don’t be mean to Auntie Val! She’s my second favorite after Luca!”

Damien exhaled heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable.”

Luca walked closer, placing his hands on his hips. “Oh? Should I tell Valarie you’re sulking like a child? Ava, do you think Papa’s jealous?”

Ava gasped dramatically, her hands covering her mouth before she nodded excitedly. “Yes! Papa’s jealous! Like how he was when you were talking to that boy at school!”

“Enough teasing, kitten,” Damien murmured, brushing his lips against Luca’s ear. “I don’t like sharing what’s mine.”

Luca rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the way his heart pounded. “Possessive much?”

“You love it,” Damien smirked.

Ava giggled, watching them with wide eyes. "Me too, Papa! I love you and Luca!"

Damien let out a low chuckle, feeling an odd sense of warmth spread through his chest. This was his life now—Luca, Ava, teasing, love, and an endless need to keep them by his side. No matter what it took.

He kissed the top of Ava’s head and then pulled Luca into a deeper kiss, one that promised he wasn’t done with him just yet. Luca gasped softly, pushing at his chest with a flustered expression as Ava clapped excitedly.

"More kisses!" she demanded.

Luca groaned, hiding his face in Damien’s shoulder. "God, you’re raising a little menace."

Damien smirked darkly. "Takes after me, doesn’t she?"

Luca sighed, shaking his head but smiling nonetheless. Despite everything—the chaos, the danger, the dark pasts looming over them—this moment felt right. A strange, twisted happiness in the heart of madness.

And Damien would make sure nothing ever took it away from him.

Ava, still sitting between them, clapped her hands. “Papa, Luca, let’s have dinner together! I wanna tell you more about Auntie Val!”

Damien groaned again, and Luca laughed, pressing a quick kiss to Ava’s forehead. “Let’s eat then.”