Mafia Queen

Chapter Twenty

Luca

"Nice place you've got here." Serena snickered, slamming the car door.

I winced. "Would you keep it down? It's the middle of the night. The kids are probably sleeping."

Serena smirked. "You know you get even hotter when you talk about your children. I'm sure you're an incredible dad."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her comment. I dealt with women like Serena my entire life. Most of the time, these ended up working in my clubs, or clubs like mine. She'd been burned by every man in her life from a young age, and was now latching on to me because I was the first one not to treat her like shit. The only way she knew how to show affection or gratitude was sexually, because it had practically been beaten into her for her entire life, and that was why I didn't take her advances personally. "You know, you're about to convince my wife we're not having an affair. You could have worn a little more clothing."

"You didn't exactly give me much notice." She chuckled, following me up the front steps of our porch. "And besides, I left most of my stuff at Niko's. I don't want to have any reminder of him."

"Let's just get this over with." I slid my key into the lock and opened the front door for her.

"Fancy." Serena said, spinning around and admiring the house.

"You can wait in here." I took her into the kitchen and flipped the light on. "I'm going to go get Charlotte. Don't touch anything."

"Yes, sir." She smirked seductively, perching herself up on one of the barstools at our island.

I sighed, shaking my head. I could overlook Serena's bullshit, but if she pulled something like that was Charlotte in the room, I wouldn't be able to help her.

I padded up the stairs quietly, not wanting to wake the kids. Our bedroom door was closed, but the lamp next to the bed was on. Charlotte had passed out reading, trying to wait up for me. The book was splayed out on her chest, and her glasses sat on her nose. She was so fucking sexy in her glasses, but rarely wore them.

I didn't want to startle her and make her scream, so I gently shook her.

"Char?" I whispered. "Wake up, baby." She was sleeping soundly, so I shook her a little harder.

She gasped as her eyes flew open, staring at me wildly.

"It's okay, baby. It's just me."

"What is going on?" She asked, propping herself up on her elbows.

"I have a surprise for you and I didn't want to wake the kids." I gestured to the door. "Come on."

Charlotte stared at me hesitantly for a second. "I'm still mad at you, you know."

Like I could forget. "I know you are, but you're about to get over it. Now come on." I narrowed my eyes at her.

She still didn't look convinced, but followed me willingly. I grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Luca, it's the middle of the night. What is—" Her eyes widened, and she stopped mid-sentence when she saw Serena sitting in our kitchen.

Charlotte was dumbfounded, glancing at me and then at Serena and back to me. The tension in the room was overwhelming, even for me, and no one wanted to be the first to speak.

"Hi." Serena smiled sheepishly, breaking the ice.

"Char, this is Serena. She has something to tell you." I said, wrapping my arm around Charlotte protectively and waiting for Serena to explain. I said my piece and now she needed to hear it from her. I could only hope Serena wouldn't screw this up.