Luca’s hand rested against the small of my back as he guided me upstairs, his touch steady, grounding me in a way I didn't want to think about too hard.

When we reached the bedroom, he opened the door and let me walk in first, following close behind. 

He didn't say anything — just moved to the window, staring out into the darkness like it held all the answers he didn’t want to give.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and full of unsaid things.

Finally, I spoke — voice small but steady. 

"Luca... can I ask you something?"

He didn’t turn, but I saw his shoulders stiffen slightly.

"Anything," he said, after a beat.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my heart thudding louder than it should’ve. 

"Your family. You never talk about them. Do you have anyone?"

This time, he turned — slowly — like he already knew the conversation would cost him more than he wanted to give.

"I had parents," he said, voice rough, low. "Good ones."

I swallowed, the ache in my chest growing.

He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. 

"They died the night I became Capo. A fire. It wasn’t an accident."

The words hit me like a punch. I couldn’t imagine losing so much in one night — the people you loved and the life you thought you’d have.

"And you?" I whispered. "You survived?"

A bitter smile curved his mouth. 

"Most people thought I died too. That was the plan. My uncle spread the story to protect me while I took over in the shadows." His jaw tightened. "Only a few knew the truth."

He wasn’t just hardened by power or violence — he was built from the ashes of everything he lost.

I shifted closer, drawn by something deeper than pity, something rawer.

"I’m sorry," I said, the words useless but all I had.

Luca finally looked at me — really looked at me — something open and wounded flashing across his face for a second before it disappeared again behind steel walls.

"You’re the only one who’s asked," he said quietly.

Before I could even think, I reached for his hand.

He caught mine halfway, fingers curling tightly around mine like he wasn’t ready to let go.

"You’re not alone anymore," I said softly, surprising even myself.

His eyes darkened — with something fierce, something almost fragile — and then he pulled me into his chest.

"I know," he murmured against my hair. "I have you."

And somehow, that scared me more than anything else had — because I knew, deep down, 

he had me too.

The same night after Ashley went to sleep