Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 79: Chapter 79

LUCA
I’d seen Alina angry, seen her happy. I'd also seen her twisted in pleasure under me.
But I had never seen her like this.
She was pale, quiet and shaking.
I gripped the steering wheel with one hand, holding her fingers with my other hand. She wouldn’t let go, not even to fix her hair when the wind blew it into her face.
“I’ll call Elena, tell her we won’t make it to the gala and she can cancel with the Talciros.” I said, eyes on the road as I drove home.
“No.” Her voice was soft but sharp. “I’m not hiding. I’m going. I refuse to let myself be scared into hiding.”
I glanced at her, anger thrumming under my skin. I wanted to find who had done this to her and skin them alive. And I would.
But for now, I needed to make sure she was mentally fine. “Alina, I don't know if that's a good idea.”
“I think it’s my uncles,” she muttered suddenly, looking out the window. “Maybe they haven't stopped. Maybe Enzo told Uncle Alberto something.”
I shook my head. “It’s not them.”
She looked at me sharply. “You don’t know that.”
It wasn't her uncle. This wasn't something her uncles would do. This person hated her deeply. This wasn't a fight for power. This was hate. “I do. Don’t call them.”
She turned toward me, mouth open like she was about to argue, but something in my voice made her stop. She clamped her lips shut and looked away.
Smart girl.
When we got to the estate, I didn’t waste time. “Marco,” I barked as we entered.
He came from the hallway immediately. “Boss.”
“Get Darion. Now. I want him here in five.”
He nodded and disappeared.
Alina stood in the foyer, arms crossed, still clutching herself like she hadn’t woken completely from the shock.
I hated seeing her like that.
Darion arrived minutes later. I took the box out of the car myself, set it on the office desk and called him in.
“Find me fingerprints, hair, fabric, DNA. I want it all. This box doesn’t breathe again until it’s talking. I want to know where it came from and who sent it.”
“Yes, sir.” Darion’s expression was hard and focused. He knew this was personal.
I glanced at the door. Alina was standing just outside, watching us. I walked over, reached for her hand.
She didn’t speak. She just placed her fingers in mine. Her skin was cold.
We went upstairs.
I led her to the shower, turned the water on hot. She didn’t say a word when I stripped her dress off. Didn’t resist when I pulled her under the spray.
I washed every inch of her, hoping to distract her from what had just happened.
I couldn't allow myself to become distracted by what had just happened. The Talciro ball would be as much a distraction for me as it would be for her.
She didn’t flinch when my hands turned from gentle, to needing.
When I finally pressed her into the glass and made love to her from behind, it was loud and desperate.
She spread her legs and held me tight, biting my fingers until I pulled them away from her lips and wrapped them around her neck.
She came hard, gasping and panting as I pulled out of her and came all over the tiles, groaning as tongues of fire and ecstasy showered down my back.
The second we stepped out, her phone rang. She found it inside her bag and answered, still wet from the shower.
“Hello, Analide?”
“Your dress is ready. I was hoping you would come here so we would dress up together.”
Alina grinned, and I felt relieved, my shoulders loosening slightly. She didn't look so frail anymore.
Alina dried her hands and answered. “I’ll be there.”
She looked at me as she hung up, chest still rising and falling with the aftershock.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I promise I am fine.”
I didn’t believe her. But I nodded anyway. “Okay. Let me know the second you need to leave the ball. I'll get us out of there.”
She got dressed and left with the driver, Lorenzo, and two armed guards.
I changed into the black suit that had been sent earlier.
When I reached the Talciro estate to pick her up, I was still pissed, but the second I saw her, my fury stopped cold.
Alina looked like a goddamn goddess.
She was wearing a fiery red dress, the diamonds catching the light. Her hair was styled in curls like a flame.
I got out of the car and opened the door for her.
“Ready?” I asked.
She slid in, her scent hitting me first. She smelled like lilies.
“More than ready.” She smiled, waving goodbye to Analide who was also dressed and ready for the ball.
You would never guess someone had left her a bomb from the wide smile on her face.
But I knew better.
I saw the tremble in her fingers as she smoothed her dress.
And I swore whoever did this would pay. In blood.
The drive to the exquisite hall where the ball was holding was fast and Alina spent it telling me about preparing with Analide.
Apparently, they were fast becoming good friends. I didn't know how to feel about that yet.
A large black door was opened and we were led in after submitting our invitation at a desk in front.
“Oh. This is so beautiful. I've never been to any place this stunning.” Alina said nervously as she took my arm.
The hall was decked out in gold to show the wealth of the Talciros. I whistled and smirked as I kissed her hair. “Yet, none of it compares to your beauty, My Sunshine. You shine brighter than any gem.”
The people closest to us were already whispering.
“Oh, she looks so beautiful!”
“She's so lucky to be married to him!”
“Oh, I wish that was me.”
Alina straightened her shoulders, doing her best to ignore the whispers. “Should we find our seat?”
I led her forward. “Certainly.”
We moved into the room, greeting the people that we knew as we went. The room was filled with the richest people in Chicago.
Even the governor of the state was in attendance. Alina swallowed nervously as we finally found our seat.
I was proud to be seated beside her. Every man was craning their necks, trying to get a good look at her.
“Shit!” Alina swore suddenly, turning to me with a disgusted look on her face.
I didn't need to ask what was wrong, because a moment later, an arm landed on my shoulder.
I looked up to find Victoria smiling down at me. “Oh Luca, I didn't expect to find you here today.” She said, looking shocked.
I wanted to shake off her fingers, but I could see other guests looking in our direction. My eyes clouded with dark anger when I saw who she was with.
“Have you met, Mr. Alvarado?” Standing beside Victoria with his hand wrapped around her waist was Riot Alvarado.
He looked between Alina and I, his lips thinning with distaste and anger.
One look at Riot's narrowed eyes and I knew the night wouldn't end well.