Bound To The Devil

chapter 30

“Aunty Val is going to love me, right?” she asked, her big blue eyes sparkling.

Luca chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Of course. She’s going to love you the moment she sees you.”

Ava giggled and swung their hands together, kicking her tiny feet as the car pulled up in front of Luca’s family home. He hadn’t been back in what felt like forever. His heart clenched at the sight of the familiar house, memories washing over him. The last time he had stood here, he had been a free man. Now, he was owned by Damien.

Before he could dwell on that thought, Ava tugged at his sleeve. “Come on, come on!”

Luca smiled softly and opened the door, stepping out with Ava right behind him. As they walked up the porch steps, the door swung open. Valarie stood there, frozen, her sharp eyes widening in shock.

“Luca?” she whispered, barely believing her eyes.

Luca barely had a second to react before Valarie lunged forward, throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. “Oh my god! I’ve missed you so much, you idiot!”

Luca let out a choked laugh, hugging her back just as fiercely. “I missed you too.”

Valarie pulled back slightly, looking him over with a mixture of concern and relief before her eyes flickered to Ava, who was clinging onto Luca’s hand, watching them with curiosity.

Valarie blinked. “And who is this little angel?”

Ava grinned and proudly announced, “I’m Ava! Luca’s daughter.”

The shock on Valarie’s face was immediate. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she burst out laughing. “Oh my god, you have a kid now ?” She bent down to Ava’s level, grinning. “You’re his daughter, huh? That means you’re exactly like him.”

Ava beamed. “Yep! Papa always says I’m just as stubborn and cute as Luca.”

Valarie threw Luca a look, arching an eyebrow. “Papa?”

Luca groaned, face heating up as he glanced away. “Damien’s daughter.”

Valarie’s teasing smirk softened a little, and she looked back at Ava, ruffling her golden curls. “Well, I can already tell you’re going to be my new favorite person.”

Ava gasped excitedly and clapped her hands. “Yay! Can I call you Auntie Val?”

Valarie’s lips curled into a genuine smile. “Of course, you can.”

Ava squealed in delight and latched onto Valarie’s hand, immediately comfortable. Luca watched them with warmth swelling in his chest. He had been so worried about this meeting, but seeing them bond so naturally put him at ease.

“Come on inside,” Valarie said, stepping aside. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

Luca followed her in, holding onto Ava’s tiny hand, feeling, for the first time in a long time, like a part of him had come home.

*
Luca sat on the couch beside Valarie, watching as Ava happily played with a stuffed bear on the floor. The sight of his little girl—because yes, she was his, no matter what anyone said—laughing so freely in his childhood home filled him with warmth. For a brief moment, it felt like everything was normal again.

Valarie studied him, arms crossed, her gaze sharp. "So?" she finally asked. "Are you really okay? Or are you just saying that so I don't make a scene?"

Luca sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "I'm okay, Val. Really."

Her eyes narrowed. "You say that, but you're living with a mafia boss who kidnapped you. That doesn’t sound like 'okay' to me."

Luca ran a hand through his hair, choosing his words carefully. "He's… changing."