CHAPTER 37 - TAKE OFF

Romeo POV:

Its about seven in the morning when I wake up, and I feel Lina's little body wrapped around mine, for the first time in what feels like years, I feel at ease and like I can breathe again. My darling is in my arms, just waking up to her beautiful face is everything I could ever have wished for in this life.

I slip out of bed careful not to wake my beauty, and grab a pair of boxers and head to the bathroom in the guest room, I don't want to wake her, not yet anyway. I relieve myself and wash my hands, brush my teeth with a spare toothbrush and paste and head into the steaming shower, spending a good twenty minutes in the shower washing my hair and body I quickly shut it off and towel myself dry. I slip on my boxers and head to the kitchen, I pick out an apron and proceed to put on a pot of coffee and make breakfast. I fry some bacon and toast some ciabatta and make poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. I'm just plating up when in walks my queen.

Lina is freshly showered her hair still wet hanging down loosely and she has on one of my black shirts and her fluffy slippers, even though she still has a full closet here. "Morning baby," I say smiling at her and those big blue eyes sparkle as she beams at me.

"Morning bello, I see you cooked? I'm not sure when last I had this beautiful breakfast, it looks amazing," she says sitting at the kitchen table and I pour her coffee and she adds sugar and cream.

"You look like you are well rested," I say winking at her and she blushes, she's so beautiful, I don't think any woman can compare to her.

"I did, better than I have slept in months, I think you might have something to do with it," she says as we start eating. "I don't know why I never make you cook, this is amazing," she says with bright smile.

"Bella, I don't mean to put a damper on our morning, but what happened last night? I mean you weren't ready and then you were, not that I am complaining but I didn't want to push you," I say a bit weary of her reaction.

"I don't know, I couldn't sleep and I looked at you, it's like a calm washed over me and I realised I had nothing to be afraid of. You have treated me like the most precious thing on earth these few weeks and the way you held me... It felt like a switch flipped in my mind and I wanted, no needed you and to be close to you in every way," Lina sighs and sips her coffee. "I finally felt ready, it felt right," she finishes and looks at me with her big blue eyes and I can't help but feel on top of the world.

"I am happy I make you feel that way bella, you are my world," I say leaning in for a kiss and at this moment I don't feel like some bad ass Mafia King, I just feel like a man in love. "Our flight is at eleven, Mari and Jake have packed for you, and Luciano and Jake will be coming," I say with a smirk.

"Those two are adorable," Lina says laughing.

"Indeed they are, Dario and Leo will be staying here to run things and Mari has the hotel, Anna will be looking after things for you so we are all set. We will have a lot of security, Italy is my home away from home so we need to be protected. Francesca is still running what's left of the Mancini empire out of Italy. So we can't be too careful, and you get to see the Italian R&L Hotel." I say trying to remember everything.

"Well I'm excited for the hotel, and I'm glad for the security I don't want anything to go wrong. We had time stolen from us and I just want to make up for that, and I should probably apologise to your family for leaving the way I did when they were here to help," Lina says looking down running her hand across her lips.

"Don't even worry about it, when they heard we are together again, they couldn't be happier, and can't wait too as my mom put it spoil you rotten," I say with a chuckle.

"Should we be getting ready?" Lina asks as she starts cleaning the table, I nod and we clean up and load the dishwasher.

"I have a few calls to make, so we should leave here by ten for the latest," I say thinking out loud, Lina nods and pulls me to the bedroom to get ready. I slip on a black t-shirt, dark blue jeans and black Chuck Taylor sneakers, I haven't been this casual in years. I head down stairs and put my leather jacket on the couch. I decide to make a few business calls and call Leo and Dario to make sure they are on top of things and them call my parents to say we will be leaving soon. I can't wait to explore Italy with Lina. As if sensing my thoughts about her she walks in as beautiful as ever in a White tee, black jeans and white Chucks, with a black denim jacket. She looks amazing, her hair in a ponytail and hardly any make-up she looks beautiful.

"Romeo, I have packed a few things just in case I might need them, are you ready? I can't wait to see Italy!" She squeals jumping into my arms and gives me a kiss.

"I'm ready bella, let's go." I say taking her hand, Tino is loading the luggage and I see Lina's other luggage is there too, and it's time to go to the airport and we sit for a bit as Tino drives. "We are taking the jet, I can't take chances with commercial," I say apologetically.

"It's fine, at least I can do what I need too on the plane and take a nap if I want, its not exactly a short flight, and I won't have people snoring around me, except you old man," Lina says jokingly.

"I do not snore Lina, how dare you, old? I'm not much older than you," I say jokingly appalled. She laughs a carefree laugh and it's good to see her this relaxed and just happy. It's not easy in our world. I can't stop thinking about last night, it was incredible. It felt different not better but different than the times before, I guess our love runs deeper now than it ever did. We pull up to the airport about thirty minutes later and I notice a slight change in Lina, she seems somewhat nervous, she's trying not to show it but I know her better than that. I hope she will open up soon, I guess I have to ask her before we set down in Italy of she doesn't tell me.

Alina POV:

Its been a pleasant morning and I'm glad I got through the wall blocking myself and Romeo. The only thing I haven't been truthful with is that I never told Romeo that I am never alone with men in a room unless it's him or Jake. I'm a bit nervous since we will be around his family and I can't have someone with me around the clock. It's not a big deal, but he's so happy today and I don't want to spoil his mood, last night was one of the best and most empowering nights of my life, I took back control after breaking down and it was such a huge step, for me and for us.

We step on the plane, Jake and Luc are already on board, at least we have some company, and I finally get to see Luc and Jake together other than the gala. It's the first time Luc is being open on front of me and Romeo, I do know Romeo will probably tease him a bit. "Jakey!" I squeal and give him a hug.

"You look amazing this morning, sleep well or should I say no sleeping at all?" Jake whispers.

I laugh, "not much sleep, only like four or so hours," I whisper back.

"I'm glad, but I do want details and I spot some new jewellery," he says squeezing me tight, and my hand goes to my neck when he let's me go and I wink at him.

"Luc, hi," I greet him and so does Romeo, and he gives us hugs, a bit stiffly but I think it's just nerves.

Romeo and I take our seats and we all speak about how excited we are to go to Italy and its time to buckle up and we hear the safety instructions and before long we are in the air. Romeo moves to sit next to me and Jake moves to sit on Luc's lap and Romeo holds my hand as we discreetly watch the two of them. Luc is smiling brightly down at Jake like he's his world, and it's so great to see Luc like that. Luc is slightly blushing when he sees us glancing his way, but smiles and returns his attentions back to Jake.

I turn to Romeo and he looks happy for Luc. I know I need to speak to him, I guess it's now or never. "Baby, can I speak to you privately?" I ask and Romeo's eyes shoot up from his laptop.

"Of course amore, let's go to the bedroom and we can speak," Romeo says looking slightly worried. We tell Jake and Luc we will be right back and Jake winks at me joking about joining the mile high club. We head into the room and Romeo closes the door. "What is it Lina, I knew something was bothering you, I even thought I would ask before the plane landed," Romeo says with a frown.

"As far as I have come with everything that happened, I still have a fear which is debilitating at times," I say looking at my fingers as I sit on the bed. Romeo kneels in front of me holding my hands and uses his one hand to lift my chin.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," Romeo says slightly more worried now.

"Well I tend to have panic attacks if I'm alone in a room with a man that isn't you or Jake. Going to Italy and having to be around all the security, and your family is giving me anxiety. I'm excited to be there don't get me wrong but I'm worried that I will be alone in a room with men I don't really know, or other men in general," I say barely taking a breath, looking back down unable to look at Romeo.

"Oh Lina, why didn't you say so sooner? I mean are you alright with Luc at least? I mean he's gay after all," Romeo asks.

"I guess so, I don't know, I haven't exactly tried, but I think because I know he's Jakes everything, I might be ok with that," I say uncertain.

"Ok, how about this, Jake, Luc or myself will be with you at all times when we are not in the bedroom unless you are with my mom or sister? That way there's always someone around you can trust,, Romeo asks.

"That sounds good,"  I answer shakily my tears running. Romeo takes his thumbs and wipes them away.

"No tears Lina, I will speak to mamma, Issy and dad and they will understand. Alright? I have a huge family so I have more cousins then I dare to admit, the last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable," Romeo says kissing my lips.

"Ok, thank you baby, I appreciate it," I answer feeling loads better.

"Lina, if anything happens, or if you are uncomfortable, or you feel in danger no matter how irrational you think it may be, you tell me or Luc,"Romeo says sternly.

"I will," I dry my tears and go splash my face and meet Romeo back in the cabin. Jake comes over to me and he says Romeo and Luc are discussing work and we have time to gossip.

This is going to be very interesting.....