Book 2 in the 'Beautiful' Trilogy.
Niccolo De Luca, now 26 years of age and next in line to take over as The Don of the notorious De Luca family Mafia in New York. A respectable son, an admired brother, a loyal friend, and family member; but holdin...
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Sierra's POV
I had my head on his shoulder, feeling the rise and fall from his erratic breathing. I wasn't sure what he was about to tell me but I knew I would listen and love him none the less. Today has been the most beautiful day of my life. Today has meant so much to me, more than anything anyone could give me. Today I had someone think about me, put me first for once and that alone was the epitome of it all.
I began running my thumb over his knuckles reassuringly. His breathing calmed a bit before he eventually gained the courage to speak.
"5 years ago I met Veronica at The Phoenix. She caught my attention with her exuberant ways before she noticed me. When she did, she was determined. I had never met a woman that forward and persistent before. At the time I found it hot, now I just find it desperate. A couple of months in and I was convinced I was in love with her. Now, I'm not so sure I even knew what love was back then."
He paused and took a deep breath, grabbing his beer bottle and downing the remaining contents of it. I knew this whole situation was hard on him.
"She seemed perfect. She said the right things, she did the right things. She fit into my life and around my family perfectly. Never once did it occur to me that it wasn't real. Everybody in my family admired her, except for one person. My mother. Mamma wouldn't have any of it. She never entertained the thought of us, never socialized with her, never accepted us. It drew a massive wedge between my mother and I. It tore us apart completely and it divided the family as my mother stood her ground."
"I basically walked away from my mother and family, for Veronica, thinking I was walking towards my future." I heard him scoff as it all came back to him. "As time went by, the longer we were together the more her true self emerged. She became obsessed with the money. Obsessed with what I could give her or buy for her. I was so blind to see it but Santino and Elena were not. They then began realizing what my mother had meant all along. Eventually, the wedge in my family grew wider as it now encompassed my sister and cousin."
"Still, I was convinced that everyone was jealous. I was convinced everyone only wanted the worst for me so that they could hold onto me and control me. Mold me into their image. At least those were the things she fed me to believe. I said such horrible things to my mother, Sierra. You have no idea how that haunts me."
He paused and bowed his head in shame. It broke me to see him like this. I've seen him with his mother, he holds such respect for her. Their bond is like no other and she is an amazing woman. He let go of my hands and ran them through his hair in a rough manner that immediately indicated to me that he was beating himself up inside. I got up, maneuvering myself to a kneeling position in between his legs. I placed my hands on his thighs and squeezed, making him give me his attention.
