Married for His Secret Heir

Luca felt the initial tightening of Elena’s hand. He willed her to stay calm. He knew she didn’t want to marry him but that she would do it for the love of their child.

“I have,” Elena said softly.

“I have, too.”

And so the minister went through the ceremony. Luca didn’t know what he expected to feel, but as the minister said, “Until death do us part,” Luca felt the walls go up around him. He knew he shouldn’t shut down, but he couldn’t help it. The devastation of his mother’s murder still had lingering effects.

He’d witnessed how his father had utterly withdrawn from their family after his mother died. His father had always been working and never had time for his children—children who were hurting, too, and left to find their way through the darkness alone.

Luca couldn’t imagine giving his heart to Elena—if she even wanted it—and then losing her. It was better to keep a wall between them. It was safer. For both of them.

But above all, this marriage would allow Luca to claim his heir—the future of the DiSalvo name. Luca’s father would have no choice but to recognize that Luca was now all grown up and responsible—responsible enough to take over the family business and turn it around. Where he’d once felt a family obligation to fix things when his father asked for help, Luca now felt driven to keep the business and the title viable. It was a new experience for him.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Elena looked at him with a wide-eyed stare. It wasn’t exactly the passionate look that he’d expected to find on his bride’s face. Still, it was up to them to convince people that the marriage was real—no matter how temporary.

His gaze dipped to her pink, glossy lips. Her mouth had tormented him each night in his dreams. Her sweet kisses had left him longing for more. And now he had the perfect excuse to kiss her once more.

But he hesitated. Common sense told him to make it a quick peck. He could feel the minister’s expectant gaze on him.

Luca pulled Elena close. And for a moment, he stared into her eyes. They were the most beautiful shade of forget-me-nots. The name was most fitting, as her eyes were quite memorable. In fact, they were totally unforgettable. Every time he stared into her eyes, it was like she spun a spell over him. Just like now...

His head lowered and he claimed her lips. And then, forgetting about this being a quick peck, he drew her even closer. In that moment, nothing mattered but them. Forgetting that they were still in the church, he deepened the kiss. Elena opened her mouth, welcoming him inside. Her kiss was extraordinary, and he didn’t think he would ever take it, or her, for granted.

He didn’t want to let her go. Because once he released her, he knew that the wall dividing them would immediately come back up. And though it might be safe behind that wall, it was also cold and lonely. But with Elena in his arms, there was a warmth growing and spreading within his chest.

Just then Elena pressed her palms to his chest and pulled back from him. Reality came crashing back in, popping the bubble of happiness that had momentarily encapsulated them. Luca glanced away, not wanting her to realize how that kiss had moved him.

Luca realized that going forward he had to be careful around her. Happiness didn’t last. He’d learned that lesson the hard way. First, with his mother dying. And finally with his father hiding within his work and ignoring his children.

Luca had done the only thing he knew how to do at the time—let loose and lived life to its fullest—even risking life and limb routinely. But now he knew how to curb those urges. He knew how to tuck his feelings into that little box in his chest.

He could do this—he could be the public husband Elena needed. And he could be the father to his child that his father had never been to him.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SO NOW WHAT?

Elena sat next to Luca as their chauffeured car made its way across the city. She stared at her bridal bouquet. She was now Mrs. DiSalvo.

With the shock of what they’d just done starting to wear off, reality was hitting her hard. A whole gamut of emotions warred within her, leaving her stomach in a knot.

Elena DiSalvo. Mrs. DiSalvo. Mrs. Luca DiSalvo.

And what was up with that kiss at the altar? If that had all been for show, it was quite convincing—too convincing. There was more to that kiss than Luca doing his husbandly duty. If he was hoping to change her mind about sharing a bed, it wasn’t going to happen. No matter how many heart-fluttering kisses he plied on her.

She glanced over at Luca, but he appeared preoccupied with his phone. She wondered if this was what their future would be like if they were to stay together—awkward and quiet. The funny thing was, before they’d slept together, their relationship had flowed easily. Before that night, they’d been able to laugh and joke around. But now, post-sex, things were so different.

She gazed out the window at the passing cityscape. This definitely wasn’t the way back to the palace. “Luca, where are we going?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“But your sister will be wondering where we went.”

“I’m certain my sister is well distracted by her new fiancé.”

Elena couldn’t argue with that statement. Annabelle had never looked happier than she had this week. She was practically glowing.