Chapter Ten

I woke in shock or rather was awoken from fear. My chest heaving with sweat pickling from my forehead to my chest as if I was soaked in water. My shaking hands clung to the sheets in an attempt to calm my nerves.

It had been this way for three days now since Luca had murdered that waiter in cold blood before me. My body was going into overdrive. It was one thing to watch the love of your life die and another to witness a second death in just few weeks. I couldn't handle the killings.

Everytime I would be awoken from a replay of both deaths. My mind was playing a terrible trick on me.

Each time I woke up drenched in sweat with my heart beating with such intensity like I had just ran a marathon.

Luca had however never once woken along with me neither did he question about it. I guess he wasn't aware of the sleepless nights he had given me.

The devil slept peacefully all night long while I kept a wide eye. The irony of this situation made me roll my eyes.

Looking at the alarm clock that stood on the side table, the time read 6:00am. It was a Saturday morning and from the look of things, my husband would be home today.

He lay sleeping peacefully beside me, his messy hair dropping on his forehead giving him an innocent alluring look.

Walking into the washroom and filling the bathtub, I dipped myself into the water giving out a breath at its relaxing warmth.

After finishing my business, I exited the tub. Standing before the mirror, I applied ointment on the bruises I sustained from Luca's beatings. Raffaelle had gotten it along with painkillers to which I was utterly grateful, if it were left to my husband the nasty bruise on my stomach and hand marks on my face and neck would have been left unattended to.

Moving to the closet, I slipped on a comfortable dress before walking out, sitting before the vanity mirror, I applied concealer on my face to keep the marks hidden.

A knock on the door drew my attention

"yes?" I called out to whoever was knocking.

" Mia regina, I was sent to inform Capo on the arrival of his parents"

His parents!!!??? They hadn't informed us on their arrival.

"we'll be there Shortly" I replied.

I walked over to Luca who still lay asleep. His parents were here and he wasn't even awake.

I should wake him

I thought

Don't! He'd probably hit you for interrupting his sleep

My head contributed

But he might get mad I didn't wake him

I stood beside where he slept, my mind conflicted as I stared at him.

"Are you just going to stand there staring Aimee?" Luca's groggy voice drew me out of my inner turmoil

"uhm.. I-I.. y-your parents are here" I stuttered

"I know." he replied dismissively still not opening his eyes as he spoke to me

" Okay" I went back to sitting at the dresser

"Next time just wake me rather than standing like a moron. I don't bite"

Yes he doesn't bite, he does worse than that. He takes away happiness.

____________________

"oh my goodness!! Mario she's much prettier in person" christen exclaimed just as Luca and I reached the foot of the stairs.

Luca's father - Mario was rather engulfed on the sports he was watching on the television as his wife held me in a motherly hug.

"hello Mrs Christen"

"call me mother, you're my daughter now" she replied with a warm smile forming on her lips. It was true, unlike the father and son, Christen was bubbly and nice.

"You hadn't informed us on your arrival mother" Luca said as he placed a tender kiss to her cheek. He adored his mother, maybe one day he'd see me in that light.

"your mother has been so ecstatic on paying you both a visit since she returned from her journey" Mario said now standing with us.

"I just needed to meet her. I'm sorry child for missing the wedding" she apologized.

"It's fine mom" I replied smiling at her.

"Let's have breakfast" Luca announced leading the way.

We sat at the dining table, breakfast was served and everyone dug in. I sat at the left beside Luca who was at the head of the table. While his father and mother sat at the right.

Luca and Mario chatted away while Christen contributed whenever it concerned her. I felt out of place, this wasn't my family after all even if I was married into it.

"The wedding pictures are so beautiful Aimee, you looked magnificent child" Christen commented gaining my attention

"Thank you" I smiled, I wasn't exactly sure how she got the photos but then again even the media had their personal copies.

"Luca sent them to me a few days back" she added as if reading my thoughts.

"Well I must say, your father was right Aimee. You're perfect for the Savedra family" Mario begun with a straight face.

"I know right" Christen chirped in. The woman was so bubbly.

Luca was nothing like his mother which meant his ruthless attitude must have been handed down to him by his father. This made me more afraid of the man sitting before me.

"I'm never wrong with my choices father" Luca stated proudly.

"I know that son. I also think the plans for a male child should start soon. We need a Savedra heir, he needs to be trained early"

On hearing Mario's words, I chocked on my soup. Did he just say a child?? We weren't even married up to a year and they were already talking of children!!

"Mario you shocked the poor girl" she gave her husband a stern look as I coughed. Taking the glass of water, I gulped down the liquid.

"I'm sorry, I-I just didn't expect... L-Luca we haven't talked about this" I spoke up under Luca's hard gaze.

"It's okay Aimee, no one's rushing you" Christen said chuckling at stuttering.

"Christen they need to bear children soon. Life isn't guaranteed in our line of work" he objected.

I understood what he meant, they wanted an heir as fast as possible in case Luca dies as the mafia is a dangerous game. This had me thinking as to why Luca was the only child. He should have had a brother. A single child wasn't always common in the mafia.

"Excuse me father, mother. I need to speak with my wife" Luca said rising from his seat.

He walked in front with me following behind. We didn't go to our bedroom but a random guess room.

"Is something wrong Luca? " I asked closing the door behind me.

"Why did you do that? Oppose my father" his face showed no expression

"I didn't mean to, I was just in shock" I explained

"In shock?" he repeated chuckling

"Luca children now?? Isn't it a bit too early for that. We've been married only for few months, I'm not ready to be a mother"

"And who said your thoughts mattered??"

"I don't want children anytime soon. Atleast not with you" I said whispering the last part to myself.

"You are going to have children when I want you to tesoro. I have an empire I'm running and I'll not let your stupid opinion ruin it" he yelled

"but I don't want children with you" I retorted

"you would bear my children Aimee, even if I have to force them in you" his words held all seriousness and sincerity.

This had been his plan all along, how could I not have none soon enough. He wanted an heir. Every business tycoon needed an heir, father needed one and that was my baby brother. Luca would certainly need one being an Italian capo.

That was why he violated me each time without protection. At first I didn't think much into it as I thought he was on pills or something but now everything seemed clearer. Luca was in need of a son and I would never let him have one. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of bringing forth a mini monster like him.

"You should be grateful my mom is here. Things wouldn't be this calm right now" he said before exiting the room.

I slid down the floor resting my back against the wall close to the bed. My eyes stung from the unshaded tears that were building up.

How my life took a fast turn to doom seemed to amaze me. A simple yes turned everything around. My future was already shaped by my husband and there was nothing I could do about it. It was out of my hands, out of my power. Going up against Luca was like signing my own death wish.

The tears slide down my cheeks at this point. This seemed to be the only thing I did recently - cry.

"Sorry to pry child" Luca's mother said walking into the room.

"It's fine mom" I replied quickly wiping my tears with back of my palm.

"come sit" she patted the space beside her as she sat on the bed, to which I obliged.

"you're unhappy aren't you?" she questioned. As much as I wanted to respond to her, I didn't. I couldn't break her happy spirit.

"You can tell me the truth child, it's quite obvious" at this point, I nodded affirming her question.

"I was once in your position Aimee but Mario and I eventually learnt to understand ourselves. I'm sure you and Luca can do that"

"I can't, h-hes just s-so.. s-so..." I searched for the appropriate words to describe the monster I was married to

"evil???" she guessed

"Despicable and heartless" I completed.

"Well that works too" she giggled

"You're strong Aimee, you didn't crack when he killed Maximiliano so nothing else should bring down your spirit"

She knew about Max and his death, she must have found out from her husband. I'm sure Luca must have filled him in.

"I'm sorry about his death" her arms held me in a mother's warmth. This woman didn't deserve such a wicked family.

"You're right mom, I won't let it get to me" I replied wiping the stray tears that escaped my eyes.

"Luca turned out badly, even I am aware of this" christen stated.

We walked the couple to the driveway where their vehicle was parked. The chauffeur already in the driver's seat.

"remember what we discussed son, the Moreno's are quite tricky people" Mario said to Luca

"Yes father, your idea is perfect for the situation"

"Aimee remember we need an heir soon" he moved his attention to me and I gave a fake smile.

"Don't worry, we're already working on that" Luca put his arm around my waist pulling me to himself.

"You should come over sometime" Christen's eyes twinkled in excitement making me laugh

"Definitely mom" I replied wrapping my arms around her in a quick hug before pulling away.

"Take care of her Luca" she stated sternly

"Am I not already doing that" a smirk found its way to his face. How I wish I could wipe off that smirk with a slap but that would only result to an ugly situation.

"L'hai colpita, vero? Ti ho cresciuto meglio di così "

(You hit her, right? I've raised you better than that) christen spoke in Italian to her son but he couldn't seem to reply.

"Prendi le tue pillole con precisione, ti aiuterà. Non voglio che tu uccida la ragazza innocente"

(Take your pills accurately, it'll help. I don't want you killing the innocent girl) she spoke before pulling away from him.

"Non la ucciderò"

(I will not kill her) he replied

I waved goodbye to christen one last time before they got into the vehicle and the chauffeur drove off.