I jump at the sound of footsteps on the porch. I rush to the door, yanking it open.
Luca's face is unreadable. I prepare myself for the worst.
"What happened?"
Luca runs a hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. "They voted to keep me."
I blink, certain I've misheard. "What?"
"I'm staying. At least for now." His expression relaxes some, as if he’s only just understanding what’s happened. "Valentina convinced them I'm more valuable alive than dead. They're making me temporarily part of the family again to handle the Bratva situation."
"They're not sending you away? Or handing you over?" Relief floods through me.
"No." He steps closer, his hands finding my waist. "Alessandro wasn't happy, but he knows I can help, and if I fuck it up, he has a scapegoat."
I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. "I guess that’s good.”
He laughs. “It’s better than the other alternatives.” He draws me close, one hand cupping the back of my neck as his lips find mine in a fierce kiss that steals my breath.
The sensation is so familiar yet so new.
This giddy, overwhelming rush of emotion that makes me feel like the twenty-year-old girl who first fell for him.
Back then, I'd believed in forever.
Now I'm terrified to hope, but I'm helpless to stop it.
Despite everything that's happened, despite the rational part of my brain screaming caution, I lean into him, craving more.
The world outside these walls is dangerous and uncertain, but here, with Luca's arms around me, I feel safe.
I feel like I've come home.
His hands slide down my back, pressing me closer until there's no space between us.
"Mommy?" Enzo's voice from the living room breaks through the fog of desire.
Luca pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against mine. "We’ll finish this later," he promises, his voice rough with need.
I nod. "Coming, sweetie," I call back.
Luca catches my arm as I turn to attend to Enzo. "There's something else. Alessandro's tasked me with finding the mole."
"You think there's still someone leaking information?"
"It seems unlikely your brother would have been working alone." His expression darkens. "I need to talk to Enzo about what happened when Pyotr had him. He might have seen or heard something."
My protective instincts flare instantly. "He's just a child, Luca. He's been through enough."
"I know." Luca's hand slides down to mine, squeezing gently. "I'll be careful. But if there’s someone around who’s betraying us, he’s still in danger. If he noticed something or heard something, it could help stop whoever's behind this."
I don’t like this one bit, but I know he’s right. If danger still lurks and Enzo knows something, it’s better that he share it with Luca than remain a target.
"Okay," I concede. "But I'll be there the whole time."
"Of course."
We approach Enzo together, and I sit on the floor beside him. "Sweetie, Luca would like to ask you a few questions about… what happened with Uncle Pyotr."
