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L uca woke up to the sound of his mother’s voice.

He groaned, rubbing his face before glancing at the clock. Way too early.

But he should’ve expected it. When he had told Enzo that he wasn't coming, his younger brother had immediately pushed for a reason, unwilling to let it go. At first, Luca had brushed him off, but Enzo was relentless, and eventually, Luca had admitted the truth. That was all it took. Word spread through the family like wildfire, and before he knew it, everyone was aware of Diamond. There was no point in holding back after that he had to spill everything.

The Ferraras never did anything quietly—especially not family gatherings.

By the time he made it to the living room, his mother was already there, hands on her hips, eyes scanning him like she could tell he hadn’t been taking care of himself.

“Luca,” Isabella Ferrara sighed, shaking her head, then turned to Enzo. “Look at him. He’s too thin.”

Enzo smirked, slapping a hand on Luca’s shoulder. “Too thin? You sure about that, Ma? The guy’s built like a damn wall.”

“Watch your language,” she scolded, before pulling Luca into a bone-crushing hug.

Luca let her. There was no stopping her anyway.

His father, Salvatore Ferrara, was more subtle, a firm handshake before giving him a once-over. “How’s business?”

Luca nodded. “Good.”

His father grunted in approval before taking a seat, already launching into a conversation with Enzo about some deal in Italy.

Luca had barely processed their arrival when he heard another voice—lighter, more excited.

“Oh my God, you’re awake!”

Luca turned in time to see his teenage sister, Sofia darting across the room—but not toward him.

Straight to Diamond.

His sister had always been small, but somehow she managed to pull Diamond into an embrace like she’d known her forever.

Luca saw Diamond stiffen just slightly before his sister pulled back, her grin wide.

“I knew it,” she said, eyes bright. “You are as cool as Luca made you sound.”

Luca arched his brow. “I made her sound cool?”

His sister shot him a look. “Yes, idiot.” Then she turned back to Diamond, not noticing how tense she’d gone.

Luca did.

Diamond was too still.

She was used to fights, not warmth. Not this.

She pulled away after a second, expression guarded. “You don’t even know me.”

His sister just shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Luca does, and that’s enough for us.”

Luca saw the way Diamond’s throat moved, like she was swallowing something down.

His mother had also shifted her focus to Diamond. With a warm smile, she guided her to a seat beside her. "Come, sit with me, cara," she said gently, her gaze filled with quiet concern. "Tell me, how have you been? Is Luca taking good care of you?" Her tone was soft but firm, the kind that left no room for half-hearted answers.

And just like that, Diamond was swept into the madness.

---

Luca found her later, standing by the window, breathing a little too carefully.

Luca leaned against the doorframe. “You okay?”

She didn’t turn to look at him.

“I don’t get it,” she muttered.

He frowned. “Get what?”

“All of this.” She exhaled. “I barely know your sister, but she acts like we’re close. Your mother—she met me for the first time, and she’s already making me sit with you guys like I belong there.”

He stepped closer. “Because you do.”

She shook her head, like she didn’t believe it. “It’s not that easy.”

“Sure it is,” he said. “They like you, Diamond. Get used to it.”

She hesitated.

Then, softer, almost hesitant.

“I don’t know how.”

Something in Luca’s chest tightened.

He didn’t think. He just reached for her, pulling her close.

“Then let me teach you.”

***

The Ferrara family dinner was as grand as expected—elegant table settings, the rich scent of roasted meats and fine wine, and conversation flowing effortlessly among the guests.

Luca and Diamond arrived in the midst of it, Luca his usual self, relaxed and confident. While Diamond, dressed in sleek black, perfectly composed with all her almost healed wounds but acutely aware that this wasn’t her world.

A stunning woman—a socialite, if Diamond had to guess—approached Luca with a familiar, practiced smile. She placed a manicured hand on his shoulder, leaning in too close as she whispered something meant only for him. Luca turned slightly, smirking, his expression amused rather than engaged. He wasn’t pushing her away, but he wasn’t pulling her in, either.

Diamond’s grip on her glass tightened.

The woman laughed, soft and calculated, lingering far too long.

So, this is what he likes? Polished. Poised. The kind of woman who had probably never thrown a punch in her life.

Sofia, seated beside her, leaned in, her voice low and knowing. “You’re glaring daggers, babe.”

Diamond shrugged, lifting her glass to her lips with forced nonchalance. “He can do whatever he wants.”

Sofia smirked. “Sure. If you say so.”

Diamond ignored her, keeping her attention on her plate, as if she wasn’t even aware when the woman finally let out another light laugh, squeezed Luca’s shoulder one last time, and sauntered away.

Luca didn’t watch her go.

His gaze had already shifted—to her.

Without hesitation, he pushed back his chair and walked straight toward Diamond, ignoring everyone else in the room.

Her stomach flipped.

She didn’t look up immediately, tilting her head only when he stopped beside her chair.

“Bored, Perez?” His voice was low, teasing.

She met his gaze, unimpressed. “Why would I be? You’re the one entertaining women who smell like money.”

His smirk deepened, slow and knowing. “Is that jealousy, or did you just miss me?”

She scoffed, setting her glass down with deliberate care. “I missed my patience. And you’re testing it.”

Luca chuckled, leaning in just enough to lower his voice. “She could’ve stood there all night, and I still wouldn’t have seen her.” His eyes, dark and unwavering, held hers. “Because I only have eyes for you, Bambina.”

Something inside her faltered.

His words shouldn’t have affected her. Shouldn’t have made her pulse jump. But the way he said them—with that quiet certainty, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world—left her breath hitching for half a second too long.

Damn him.

He knew. He knew.

She was jealous.

Absolutely fuming!

And she hated that he saw right through her.

Luca was barely settled in his seat when he heard the unmistakable sound of tiny, determined footsteps.

Then—impact.

A small body slammed into his side, tiny arms wrapping around his waist with surprising strength.

“Luca!”

He smirked, looking down at his cousin’s five-year-old daughter. She was grinning up at him, her curls bouncing with every excited movement.

“Hey, Aria,” he said, ruffling her hair.

She giggled, then froze mid-laugh, her eyes locking on something, or rather, someone.

Luca followed her gaze straight to Diamond.

The kid’s head tilted, curiosity sparking in her wide brown eyes.

Diamond, who had been quietly pushing a piece of bread around her plate, suddenly found herself under intense scrutiny.

Luca bit back a laugh.

This kid had zero shame.

“You’re pretty,” she announced, voice full of awe.

Diamond blinked, clearly caught off guard.

The little girl didn’t wait for a response. She climbed up onto the seat right next to her, completely ignoring the fact that she had just met her.

“And you look really strong.” She squinted. “Can you beat up the bad guys, my dad told me you did?”

Luca half-expected Diamond to brush it off. Maybe smirk, maybe roll her eyes—maybe even ignore the kid altogether.

Instead, she did something that stopped Luca cold.

She softened.

The sharpness in her expression eased, her usual guarded stance melting just a little.

“You think I am strong?” she asked, her voice lower, warmer.

The little girl nodded so enthusiastically Luca thought she might tip over.

Diamond smiled, “Thank you, and I think you are the most gorgeous little girl I have ever seen.”

The kid gasped, eyes sparkling, “Mommy, Diamond says I am gorgeous!!” Her voice silenced everyone.

Aria's mom, Brielle, passed a big smile to Diamond across the table, “See, even Diamond is saying that, you never believe me when I tell you that everyday.”

Aria grinned from ear to ear, she looked at Diamond with pure fascination. She got up and very casually took a seat on Diamond’s lap.

Luca just watched.

Watched as Diamond, the woman who had spent her life keeping everyone at arm’s length, let a five-year-old climb into her lap without hesitation.

Watched as she carefully fixed the tiny bow in the girl’s hair, asking about her stuffed animal like it was the most important thing in the world.

Watched as the little girl looked up at her like she had hung the damn moon.

“She’s good with kids,” his cousin murmured beside him, nudging his arm.

Luca clenched his jaw.

He knew.

But it wasn’t just that.

It was the fact that Diamond had never gotten this.

Not as a child. Not ever.

She had never been doted on, never had someone look at her with pure admiration and love, no strings attached.

And she didn’t even know what to do with it.

His chest tightened.

She deserved this.

She deserved so much more than she’d ever been given.

And Luca Ferrara was going to make damn sure she knew it.

The city lights blurred past as Luca drove, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space between them. He hadn’t planned on bringing it up, but the memory of her earlier with Aria lingered. After a beat, he said, “Didn’t expect you to be so good with kids.”

Diamond, staring out the window, stiffened for just a second before shrugging. “No child deserves to be treated otherwise,” she muttered, her tone casual—too casual.

Luca’s fingers tightened slightly on the wheel. He heard what she wasn’t saying. “But you were, weren’t you?”

Silence stretched between them. Then, in a voice quiet but unwavering, she said, “I don’t remember ever being looked at the way she looked at me tonight.”

His jaw tensed. He didn’t pity her—he hated that she’d been through that. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, but instead of offering empty sympathy, he simply said, “Then get used to it, Bambina. Because that kid isn’t the only one who looks at you like that.”