Page 31 of Sexted By a Stranger

Luca

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the bedroom, bathing Sheila in soft, warm gold. She leaned against a pile of cushions, a thick Jewelry Design Annual spread across her lap, her deep chestnut hair casually pinned up with a few loose strands falling along her pale neck.

She wasn't reading—her gaze followed me instead.

"Boss, Connor's dead." Ragnar's voice crackled through the comms. "Frat's most troublesome lieutenants signed permanent retirement agreements—non-compete clauses included.

Lennox personally escorted them aboard the Sydney flight.

Asset lists for their accounts and properties are hitting your inbox. "

A beat of static. "Also handled two stubborn Queens captains. They signed transfer paperwork... after a visit."

"Now go to Ireland," I commanded. "Ensure Connor's operation there gets a thorough housecleaning."

The line hissed. "Understood, Boss."

Sheila suddenly coughed and frowned slightly.

I immediately cut the call and crossed to the bed in a few quick strides.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," she patted the back of my hand gently. "Just a dry throat, really. I'm much better. Williams said this morning that my recovery speed is remarkable."

I studied her carefully. Her face had indeed regained some color, but the faint shadows under her eyes and the exhaustion in her brow still revealed her weakness.

"Williams' exact words were 'at least a week of complete rest,'" I corrected her, my gaze settling on her still-flat belly. "You both need time. We'll take it slow."

"What about you?" Her voice softened. "From when you found me until now, dealing with all this cleanup—have you slept at all? Luca, your dark circles are practically down to your chin."

I caught the hand she'd placed on my cheek, wrapping it in my palm.

"Connor's finished, but the mess he left behind needs thorough cleaning.

The new territory and personnel need quick integration to prevent anyone from stirring up trouble.

As for threats…" I made a cutting gesture.

"They need to be eliminated completely, root and branch.

Not one thorn can remain. Only then can we ensure real safety. "

Sheila didn't argue further. She just shifted to the right side of the bed and patted the empty space. "Either way, you need to rest. Or handle things from here—it'll be more comfortable, and I can keep an eye on you. That gives me peace of mind, too."

Her thoughtfulness always struck right at the softest part of my heart.

I didn't refuse her kindness. I stood, grabbed my laptop from the desk, and settled beside her.

She immediately curled up like a kitten, pillowing her head on my shoulder.

Her faint floral scent mixed with the slight bitter smell of medication soothed my tense nerves, and my rigid shoulders gradually relaxed.

A notification popped up on my computer—Lennox had sent the final briefing:

[Morrison, Frat's last lieutenant with real power, boarded a flight to Cape Town. Freezing procedures for his personal and associated accounts complete. Real estate transfer lists under his name have been taken over by our people.]

"Done." I stared at the screen, murmuring to myself. Connor's network had been completely eliminated.

Sheila, resting against my shoulder, let out a soft laugh.

I turned my head, my chin brushing her soft hair. "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking," her fingertip traced around my cufflink, "Connor basically did us a favor by being so reckless. If he hadn't snatched me, you wouldn't have known about the baby for days."

I chuckled. "Only you would call your kidnapper a wingman."

"Hey, as long as it worked out." She lifted her chin, her tone light.

Looking at her bright eyes, I decided to tell her something else.

I put away my smile and spoke seriously. "There's one more thing—I bought Celestial."

Sheila was clearly stunned, complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

That place held too many painful memories for her—humiliating strip dances, desperate struggles, and the dark moments of Connor's imprisonment.

"Why?"

I gripped her hand tighter.

"Because that's where we first saw each other, Sheila."

"In that place filled with desire and money, I saw the pure you for the first time. For me, it's where fate began."

"I know that place means pain to you. I'm not trying to romanticize it. But it's the opening chapter of our story. I don't want it to continue bearing Connor's mark. It should be given new meaning."

"So what do you want to transform it into?" Sheila looked at me curiously.

"That depends on you, stellina." I cupped her face. "It's our place now. Its rebirth, its soul—that should be yours to give."

I held her hand. "Its new life is your decision."

Her eyes immediately lit up. She broke free from my grip, wrapped her arms around my neck, and pressed her warm lips to the corner of my mouth.

"Luca…" Her breath brushed my lips. "Then let's make it into something beautiful."

Her eyes sparkled. "I want to transform it into an arts center. The top floor would be a jewelry design studio, the middle floor a gallery—Leon's paintings could be exhibited there in the future, and the bottom floor a coffee shop, so ordinary people can experience the beauty of art too."

Sheila's face was full of anticipation. "We could host design exhibitions there, invite young artists to showcase their work. Maybe even establish scholarships to help talented kids who don't have opportunities…"

"Good," I murmured low, swallowing her unfinished words with my mouth. Her body became soft in my arms. I deepened the kiss, feeling her gradually quickening heartbeat pressed against my chest.

Silent desire filled the air.

We didn't separate until we were both breathless.

Sheila's cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy as we pressed our foreheads together. I lovingly traced her moist lips.

"From that night," I held her tighter, "I knew you would change everything about me."

"But most importantly," I whispered against her ear, satisfied to feel her subtle shiver, "I belong to you, Sheila. From body to soul, every inch belongs to you."

In this quiet harbor, we held each other, silently exchanging heartbeats for the future we would paint together.

Sheila rested in my arms, her finger unconsciously drawing circles on my shirt front, seemingly sketching blueprints for Celestial's rebirth.

"Luca…" she suddenly called my name softly.

"Yeah?"

Sheila adjusted to a more comfortable position in my embrace. "Have you thought of names for the baby?"

"I have." My hand gently caressed her belly. "If it's a daughter, Luna. You're my star, so our daughter would be the moon."

"That sounds beautiful. What if it's a boy?"

"Solé," I said. "My star, our moon, and our sun—a complete sky."

Sheila's eyes immediately welled with tears. She sniffled. "Such perfect names."

"Just like you." I kissed her forehead lightly. "They'll be the happiest children because they have the best mother in the world. And I'll use everything I have to protect you all."

The peaceful atmosphere was broken by knocking at the door.

"Sir, your painting has arrived." Butler Wilson's voice came from outside.

"Come in."

Wilson entered with two workers carrying a beautifully framed artwork—Leon's award-winning painting.

"Oh my God!" Sheila sat up excitedly. "Let me see it!"

With my support, she walked quickly to the painting, her fingertips lightly tracing the frame's edge, her gaze carefully taking in every detail, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifting. The warm moment of their garden walk was perfectly captured by Leon—his talent was truly remarkable.

"You must have put a lot of thought into this." Sheila turned to me, her eyes full of emotion.

"I just wanted the framing to match Leon's talent and the beauty in the painting."

She leaned against my shoulder, her voice soft. "Luca, you always make beautiful things in life even more precious."

"Let's hang it on that wall." I pointed to the wall opposite the bed, which had an excellent position. "That way, the first thing you see when you wake up each day will be our happiest moment."

Wilson immediately understood, directing the workers to begin measuring and positioning. Sheila watched enthusiastically from the side, occasionally offering suggestions, her face glowing with satisfaction.

In the study, Lennox was reporting the latest developments.

"The three Brooklyn docks have been fully received. Core personnel have been reorganized under Tony's leadership. The accounts for two underground casinos and one loan shark operation in Queens have been tallied—funds will be transferred to the main account within a week."

I set down the documents and leaned back in my chair.

"Lennox, I'm considering gradually shifting our core operations toward legitimate business over the next few years.

" I looked directly at him. "Sheila's concerns are valid.

I don't want our child growing up in the shadow of guns and conspiracies. "

The study fell into brief silence. Lennox pondered thoughtfully, his expression grave.

"Boss, I understand your and the missus's concerns. But the resistance will be enormous—the family elders will see this as betraying our heritage, potentially causing internal splits."

He continued his analysis. "Other families, especially the Angelos and the Bravatis, won't sit by and watch us go legitimate. Transitioning right after absorbing Frat might invite coordinated retaliation."

I listened silently, my knuckles lightly tapping the desktop.

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open.

Sheila peeked in, carrying two cups of tea. "Am I interrupting? Brought you both something hot."

"Perfect timing." I gestured for her to come in, taking the cup and setting it beside me. "We're discussing legitimizing the business. Want to hear your thoughts?"

Surprise, hesitation, and finally determination flashed through Sheila's eyes as she lifted her head to meet my gaze. "Luca, I understand your intentions, but if the cost is too high, I'd rather maintain the status quo. The baby's safety matters, but you matter more."

"Sheila…"

"I'm serious." She gently touched her belly, her gaze steady. "I worry because I want to be with you for a long time. But if this actually puts you in greater danger, makes me the one pushing you toward a bigger storm, that's not what I want. At least now you're safe."

"And about the child," she continued, "maybe we shouldn't decide their future right now." Her gaze moved to her belly, her hand lightly covering it. "Perhaps we shouldn't be the ones deciding for them now."

"Oh?" I set down my teacup, intrigued by her perspective.

"What we can do is give them a safe starting point. As for what path they'll take later, that should be their choice." She smiled slightly. "Who knows? Our child might be born loving adventure and find this kind of life interesting."

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.

"Even if they do choose this path, having you as a father would be an advantage, right?"

I nodded.

"We're still young, and the baby is still sleeping peacefully in my belly. The future is long—we don't need to rush into decisions that might create huge waves. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Why limit ourselves now?"

"La mia stellina." Warmth flooded my heart as I pulled her into my embrace. She always brought new perspectives when I was confused.

"You're right," I kissed her hair softly. "We won't preset their life. They have the right to choose their own sky."

I looked up at Lennox. "This matter is shelved for now. First, stabilize Frat's territory and business, establish proper rules, and don't let Connor's bad habits linger. Also—" my tone turned cold, "make sure there's no possibility of resurgence."

"Understood, Boss."

After Lennox left, I continued handling documents while Sheila read magazines on the sofa. She got up to refill my tea, and we exchanged a glance before returning to our respective tasks.

Late at night, I closed the final document. Sheila had fallen asleep on the sofa. The magazine had slipped to the carpet, and she was curled sideways on the sofa, breathing evenly.

I walked over and carried her back to the bedroom.

She hummed softly in my arms but didn't wake.

I laid her down, tucked her in, then lay beside her, my arm encircling her waist. Her back pressed against my chest, her heartbeat gradually syncing with mine, her hair's fragrance seeping into my heart with each breath.