Julian's Torment (Mafia Heirs 3)

I wait for Francesca downstairs, checking my watch. She’s already late, so I run up the stairs to check on her, my brows furrowing when I find her locked in the bathroom. I knock on the door. “Everything okay in there?”

“I’ll be right out!”

It still doesn’t stop me from worrying, and when the door finally opens, I frown at Francesca’s pale face. “What’s going on?”

“I must’ve eaten something,” she mutters. “I felt so unwell, I was just sick.”

“Poor thing.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll get you some medicine later.”

She nods absent mindedly. I tell myself it’s probably because she has to say goodbye today and that’s going to be hard for her. I know she has gotten attached to Luciana in the short time she spent with the girl.

“Ready to go?”

She nods and we get out. This will be our last walk on campus. I know her time at the University hasn’t been easy, but I also know Francesca’s ready for a change. My hand finds hers while we walk, and I squeeze it softly to remind her I’m there for her if she needs me. She smiles back, lips quivering when I blow her a kiss. I laugh out loud.

In moments, we’ve reached the dorms and Francesca timidly knocks on the door. Luciana’s voice calls for us to enter.

We walk into the room and in a split second, Luciana’s thrown her arms around my girl, desperately clinging to her.

“I heard about everything that happened,” the younger girl cries out. “I was so worried about you.”

“Everything’s okay,” Francesca promises while the girls hug it out. Once they finally pull apart, my girl flushes, pointing at me. “This is Julian Bernardi, by the way.”

“Of course.” Luciana grins at me, and I smile back. I like she isn’t as easily intimidated by me as other people are. She seems like a fun kid. “I’ve heard a lot about you. But I have a feeling I won’t like what you’re about to tell me. Are you leaving the University?”

“Yes.” I nod at her, running a hand through my hair. “My father wants us to get married soon. Seems like my punishment is finally over, thanks for Francesca’s braveness.”

“Are you okay after everything that happened?” Luciana turns her attention back to her friend. “I heard you got hurt...”

Guiltily, I remember the many cuts now adorning my pretty girl forever. I’ll never forgive myself for those. But Francesca has been such a good girl, quickly healing both from the physical and mental pain.

“I’m okay,” Francesca nods bravely. “And as soon as we’re settled in a new home, I want you to come and visit us. Okay?”

“Of course.” Luciana’s eyes light up, but there’s a hint of sadness to them still. “But are you sure you’ll still want to see me?”

“No doubt about it.” Francesca squeezes the other girl’s hand to reassure her. “You’ve been such a good friend to me. I want you to stay in my life.”

“I would love that too.”

Both of the girls are tearing up now, and I watch with a smile as they embrace again.

“Here’s my number,” Francesca adds, handing her friend a card. “Call me anytime, and come visit if you can.”

“I can send a car for you,” I add, and she gives me a grateful smile. “We have to get going now, though.”

“Okay,” Luciana pouts. “I hope I’ll see you soon enough.”

The girls say a tearful goodbye before we file out of the room, leaving Luciana.

As we’re walking down the hallway, I see Adrianna exiting one room. I’m sure she’s heard about what happened - it’s big news on campus. Once she faces us, her lips set in a thin line and she glares at us.

“Oh, if it isn’t the happy couple,” she gets out through gritted teeth.

Wrapping an arm around Francesca’s waist, I smirk, saying, “Don’t be so jealous. It really doesn’t look good on you, Adrianna.”

“So you’re together now or something?” she hisses without acknowledging Francesca, only keeping her gaze focused on me.

“Of course,” I grin widely, pressing a kiss to my girl’s cheek. “Soon to be married, too. But don’t expect an invitation.”

She scoffs. I can tell there’s more she wants to say, but I don’t want to stick around for her pathetic begging, so I just laugh and lead Francesca away from her. My girl gratefully rests her head on my shoulder as we walk away.

“You’re so good to me.”

“Not as good as I should be,” I mutter. “But I promise you, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you’re as happy as you can possibly be.”

1 month later

I can’t believe today is the day. I’m finally marrying Francesca, and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the prospect of her becoming my bride.

After we left the university, Bruno bought us a house of our own. We moved in days later and Francesca has been busy decorating and turning it into a home while I dealt with business matters that had been unattended to while I was at the University.