My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

Ashley narrowed her eyes, half her face submerged in the water, questioning her life decisions. As she did, she blew bubbles that popped softly in front of her.

Ugh...

She rolled her eyes, already exhausted from last night and this morning’s exercise. Her soreness felt worse, especially down there.

I should’ve known, she thought. I really should’ve known he’s insatiable! Why did I even agree to one more? God damn it.

Ashley’s face twisted when she felt a hand crawl up to her stomach before that same hand reached her bosom. She deadpanned, looking back lifelessly at the monster tracing her spine with his nose.

For some reason, seeing him smile so victoriously made her eyes light up with rage.

"You!" she shouted, jumping away from his hold and sliding across the tub.

She pointed at him accusingly, making his brows snap up in surprise. "Do you think I’m not human like you?! Enough is enough! I’ve already agreed three times! I can’t—no more! I’m tired!"

"..." Lucian blinked innocently, watching her get so worked up across the tub.

A shallow breath escaped him before he nodded.

"Okay," he whispered, reaching for her pointing hand. He gently pulled her back, taking advantage of the water and the slippery surface of the tub to slide her toward him.

"No more," he said, wrapping his arms around her again. "I’ll stop now."

Ashley arched a brow, narrowing her eyes suspiciously as she felt his arms carefully sneak around her body under the water.

"Really?" she asked. He nodded, resting his head on her shoulder. "Is that a promise?"

"Mhm," he hummed. "No more."

Hearing that, her lips curled into a smirk as she leaned against him. Her satisfied smile, however, was short-lived as she recalled how the second and third rounds had happened.

Ashley complained, and he coaxed her. Then he kept her caged in his arms, planting soft kisses and brushing her skin with hot, slow breaths. Before she knew it, he was already hard, and she was already melting under him.

"Scam!" she harrumphed, pushing his chest away as she glared at him. "Lucian, do you think I’ll fall for this trick for the fourth time?!"

Still wearing an innocent expression, Lucian leaned back against the end of the tub. He rested his arms along the rim, watching her grumble and glare as if she might actually strangle him.

"Morning is almost over, and I haven’t done anything! Do you think I don’t have things to do?!" she scolded as she climbed out of the tub. "One more and I’ll be paralyzed on the bed! The last one already felt like forever—I thought I was going to die!"

Ashley went on and on, scolding him while standing bare before him. As for Lucian, he propped his temple against his knuckles, watching her stop and point a finger at him.

"Stay away from me, Lucian De Luca!" she warned, eyes narrowed. She pointed two fingers at her eyes before jabbing them in his direction. "Or... you’re dead!"

She huffed, turning away and walking to the shower to rinse her body.

Meanwhile, Lucian tilted his head slightly, watching her under the showerhead through the transparent glass.

What a view.

His eyes darkened with desire, his gaze lingering over her body down to her curves.

Too bad... she’s already caught on to my modus operandi. Otherwise, there would’ve been a fourth round.

Once she finished, she wrapped herself in a towel, not forgetting to glare at him once more.

"Behave!" she warned as she walked past the tub, fleeing the bathroom before he lost his mind.

Lucian kept his eyes on the door, amusement clear in his expression. With one arm resting over the tub, he ran his fingers through his hair, combing it back. He leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.

"I’m... losing it," he whispered, closing his eyes as memories of last night—and this morning—played vividly in his mind. It was all he could think about, even in his sleep—her. If possible, he would spend the rest of the day with just the two of them. But clearly, she had things to do.

He groaned, rolling his neck in a slow circle.

"What a bother."

*****

When Ashley stepped into the walk-in closet, she stopped in front of the full-body mirror. Facing her reflection, her face twitched at the sight of hickeys and love bites littering her skin. She was almost covered in them.

"That pervert..." Her chest swelled with frustration as she thought about what to wear to hide everything. "I wouldn’t have a problem if I were staying here, but... Primo will ask."

Besides, she had promised Shyaan she would send her off to the airport today.

As Ashley bitterly took in the sight of her body, the door suddenly flung open. She turned, already glaring at Lucian as he walked in with a small towel around his waist. He glanced at her before heading to the other side of the closet.

Her anger, however, subsided when she noticed the marks and scratches on his body.

Just like her, he was covered in them, and he couldn’t have done that to himself.

Shit!

Ashley clicked her tongue and mentally groaned. Now she couldn’t even berate him about what he had done to her when she had clearly done the same to him.

As she thought about it, she peeked at him. Lucian’s back was turned. This time, her thoughts halted as she noticed the scars on his back—some so deep they were impossible to ignore.

She knew he had many scars, especially on his back. But with everything that had happened, she had almost forgotten. Now that she was staring at them, she couldn’t help but think...

They were reminders of how many people had stabbed him in the back. After all, there were far more scars there than on his front. Unlike Marshal, who didn’t have a single visible scar.

Her heart ached at the stories those scars must carry.

"Hmm?" Lucian arched a brow as he pulled out a shirt, turning slightly.

The moment their eyes met, Ashley cleared her throat and smiled.

"Boo." Her voice softened as she skipped toward him. She hugged his waist, smiling sweetly as if she hadn’t been glaring daggers at him moments ago.

"I’m heading out today."

Lucian blinked, biting his tongue before he could ask, Where?

He didn’t want to seem like he was monitoring her again, so he simply nodded.

She frowned. "You’re not going to ask where I’m headed?"

He wanted to, but he had to be careful.

"Where?" he asked, watching her smile.

"I’m sending Auntie Shyaan off at the airport!" she intoned, letting go as she turned to look for clothes. She paused and glanced back at him. "By the way, can I borrow a few of your men?"

Lucian tilted his head. "Why?"

"I’m a little worried about the guards who kicked out Isabella and Carmella," she explained with an awkward laugh. "Since Marshal can’t touch the other guests—or me because of Dominion—he’ll probably take his anger out on them."

She shrugged. "He has a habit of misdirecting it."

Lucian nodded in understanding. "I’ll send a team to protect them temporarily."

Ashley smiled, satisfied, not questioning his response. One team was more than enough for anything Marshal might send.

With that, they prepared for the day in peace, neither dwelling on the shift in their dynamic after last night.

But one thing was certain: things had already changed.