My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

Ashley yawned, raising a hand to cover her mouth.

"What time is it?" she muttered, feeling slightly sleepy.

She glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Then she looked down and noticed Primo had already fallen asleep on her lap.

She smiled and chuckled lightly, taking the controller still in his hand.

"He was just milking the cows," she murmured. "I guess the milk still did its job and made him fall asleep."

With that, Ashley leaned back.

The family room had been set up so that they could sleep comfortably. The couch was extended into something like a bed—big enough that even ten people could lie on it without feeling like sardines in a can.

Surely Nolan had thought of this, and Ashley was grateful he was the type to plan ahead.

"Are you sleepy?" she asked, turning her head to Lucian, who was still playing quietly.

Lucian cast her a sidelong glance. "A bit."

But clearly, he wasn’t sleepy yet. He was distracting himself. Lucian had plans of his own tonight, but with Primo here, he wasn’t sure what else to do. Even though gaming wasn’t something he usually did, he had no choice.

It was the only way to keep his mind off certain things.

"I’m also a bit sleepy," she muttered. "But not enough to knock out right away."

For a moment, silence filled the air as she watched the large screen, where Lucian’s character continued doing all the work on their farm.

She tilted her head, then glanced down at Primo again, gently stroking his hair. Her lips curled into a soft smile.

Now that I think about it... Silvestre is like Primo...

Her smile stiffened for a second as the memory resurfaced. She turned to Lucian, clearing her throat.

"Right, Lu, I told you I met someone from the White Serpent today," she said, making Lucian’s fingers pause on the controller. "I know this might not sit well with Dominion, but... I guess I’m partly at fault here."

Lucian blinked, his brows knitting slightly.

"How do I explain this?" She scratched her cheek with her forefinger, searching for the right words. "The person from the White Serpent is actually... someone I know."

She forced a smile. "He used to be a good friend of mine."

"You had a friend?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "I had one."

Her smile brightened for a moment, only to fade just as quickly. She sighed heavily, thinking about everything.

She treasured that boy from her past because he had been her only friend. They had shared a life together, albeit briefly.

Although their living conditions—under bridges, begging in the streets, doing whatever they could just to buy bread—were harsh, it wasn’t as suffocating as living with the Di Carpios. At least on the streets, she had freedom... and someone who wouldn’t hurt her.

He may have been reckless, always picking fights, but he never hurt me. If anything, he would protect me no matter what.

Her eyes softened at the memory before a trace of regret replaced it.

"He used to be my friend," she said quietly, lifting her gaze to meet Lucian’s. "Unfortunately, I’m with Dominion, and he’s with the White Serpent."

She forced a smile, pressing her lips together. "So, for old times’ sake, I thought it’d be better to let him off for now. But I also warned him not to enter Dominion’s territory without reason. Otherwise... I won’t be able to do anything if he gets into trouble."

I don’t want him to die, she thought. But it’s been so long... he might not even be the same person anymore.

Lucian remained silent, his jaw tightening as he watched the fleeting expressions she tried to hide. For a brief moment, he saw her eyes soften in a way he had never seen before.

As if she truly cherished this person.

It left a bitter taste in his chest.

He didn’t like it, especially since she was talking about another man. Still, he swallowed the tension rising in his throat, forcing his emotions down before they could flare out of control.

"I see," was all he said, looking away as he resumed playing.

"Thanks."

"Don’t."

"Huh?"

Lucian kept his tone cold as he explained, "I won’t go after this old friend of yours for your sake. However, I’ve already sent a warning to the White Serpent... and the job is already done."

For a second, Ashley lagged, her brows drawing together. That was fast. Dominion moved quickly, but she had only told him not long ago. She hadn’t expected results already!

She studied his expression and realized something felt... off.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Nothing."

She frowned. "Lu, I told you about this old friend of mine from the White Serpent. How can you keep things from me?" she complained, clearly displeased.

Sure, Ashley had considered keeping it to herself, but she also knew Lucian had the right to know. It was also to avoid misunderstandings.

"..." Lucian studied her frown, but his thoughts drifted back to the softness in her eyes earlier.

It left him torn... and uneasy.

What if he told her the truth and she didn’t believe him? Compared to this old friend she clearly had history with, they were only beginning to fix their marriage. Even if he wanted to trust her, part of him feared her reaction.

"Fine, don’t tell me then!" she clicked her tongue, kicking the air lightly without disturbing Primo. "I won’t ask unless—"

"A serpent spiked my drink last night. Aphrodisiac."

Ashley froze, her brain taking a moment to process it. She turned to him slowly, brows knitting together.

"Ah? Spiked your drink?" she repeated. "Last night?"

He nodded. "Gustav investigated. It leads back to the White Serpent. They infiltrated the event—"

But before he could finish, Ashley suddenly exploded.

"That motherfucker!" Her eyes blazed as if she had been the one wronged. She clenched her fists, her face twisting as a vein popped on her forehead.

"...Screw friendship! I’m going to kill him. Skin him alive and debone him."

Lucian blinked, surprised. Then, a second later, a smile replaced it, followed by a quiet chuckle. He reached out and tapped her temple with his forefinger.

"It had nothing to do with my actions last night," he said, his finger brushing her hair as he idly twirled a strand.

She flinched and turned to him, watching his eyelids droop lazily as he added,

"It would’ve been the same performance—with or without it." Then Lucian fluttered his eyelashes, locking eyes with her.

"Do you want proof?"

Ashley gulped, immediately understanding what he meant. She shook her head vigorously, pointing at the boy on her lap.

"Lucian, there’s a kid here," she whisper-yelled. "That’s abuse if he sees that!"

"Then the other room."

"Demon, begone!"

He chuckled, pulling her closer as she resisted. Even if nothing would happen tonight, his heart still felt full.

It made him think...

If this continued, he would still thank the heavens for giving him at least five good years in this lifetime.