ELENA’S POV:

The morning after the coronation, the grandeur of the previous night still echoed in my mind. The opulent hall, the sharp glances of power, and the unexpected intrusion—it all felt surreal. Luca had been my anchor, his presence a blend of reassurance and dominance.

Luca’s parents decided to stay in our mansion after the coronation-intrusion. We were seated at the breakfast table, the atmosphere calm yet filled with anticipation. Luca’s parents, Don Giovanni and Elisabetta, joined us. Don Giovanni’s expression was as stern as ever, but there was a glimmer of something else in his eyes—a sense of pride.

“Good morning,” Don Giovanni greeted us, his voice steady. “Elena, you handled yourself remarkably well last night. We are proud to welcome you into the family.”

“Thank you, Don Giovanni,” I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me at his acknowledgment. “Oh, don’t with this formality!” He refused with a smile. This man can smile huh?

Elisabetta smiled, a rare softness in her eyes. “Luca, Elena, we have a surprise for you both.”

Luca raised an eyebrow, something flickering across his features. “What kind of surprise?”

Elisabetta leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. “We’ve arranged a honeymoon for you. An escape from all this, to celebrate your union and give you both some time away from the pressures here.”

My heart skipped a beat. A honeymoon? I hadn’t even considered it amidst the chaos. “That sounds wonderful,” I said, glancing at Luca. He seemed intrigued but cautious. Oh my, what did I got into!

“Where are we going?” Luca asked, his tone curious yet controlled.

Elisabetta’s smile widened. “A private island in the Maldives. That’s actually a present from your father to your marriage.”

The Maldives. The name alone conjured images of crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and luxurious villas. I felt a rush of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness. This would be our first real escape together, away from the constant demands and threats.

Don Giovanni nodded. “Everything is arranged. You’ll leave tomorrow morning. The island is equipped with everything you might need, and security will be discreet but effective.”

Luca’s eyes met mine, a spark of something intense passing between us. “Thank you, both of you. This means a lot.”

Elisabetta reached across the table, her hand resting on mine. “Enjoy this time, Elena. You both deserve it.”

The following morning, we were whisked away in a private jet, the epitome of luxury and comfort. The cabin was adorned with plush leather seats, polished wood accents, and a bar stocked with the finest liquors. As the plane soared above the clouds, I felt a sense of liberation, the weight of recent events lifting slightly. Luca was by my side, his hand wrapped around mine, a silent promise of protection and companionship.

We settled into our seats, the hum of the engines a soothing backdrop. The pilot, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and a distinguished demeanor, approached us. “Good morning, Mr. DeLuca, Ms. Moretti,” he greeted us with a respectful nod. “We’ll be cruising at 35,000 feet, and the flight to our destination should be smooth.”

Luca returned the pilot’s nod. “Thank you, Captain Russo. I trust everything is in order?”

“Absolutely, sir,” Captain Russo replied. “If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

As the pilot retreated to the cockpit, a flight attendant approached. She was stunning, with a mane of blonde hair, perfectly applied makeup, and a uniform tailored to accentuate her curves. Her eyes lingered on Luca a moment longer than necessary, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips.

“Good morning, Mr and Mrs DeLuca,” she purred. “I’m Vanessa, your flight attendant for today. Can I get you anything to drink? Perhaps a glass of champagne to celebrate your journey?”

Luca’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, a subtle reminder of his possessiveness. He glanced at me, his eyes softening. “Would you like some champagne, Elena?”

I nodded, appreciating the gesture. “Yes, please. That sounds wonderful.”

Vanessa’s smile widened as she reached for the champagne bottle, her movements graceful and practiced. “Coming right up,” she said, popping the cork with a practiced ease and pouring two flutes of the sparkling liquid. She handed one to Luca and one to me, her fingers brushing his hand in a manner that was anything but professional.

I took a sip of the champagne, the bubbles tickling my throat. Luca’s eyes never left mine, a silent communication passing between us. He leaned in, his voice low and intimate. “How are you feeling, Elena? After everything that happened last night?”

By the intensity of his voice, I knew he wasn’t just talking about the coronation. He was referring to the events that followed. That night, he had taken me with a fierce passion, fucking me hard and relentlessly. His words had been a mantra, a raw and possessive chant about how hot I looked standing beside him, how proud he was of me for asserting myself as his queen. Every thrust, every growl of approval, had ignited something primal within me. It was only our second time being together physically, but it felt like we had known each other in this way forever. Thinking about that night, the way he had consumed me entirely, made my legs go weak and my heart race.

Luca’s eyes darkened with anticipation, his jaw clenched as he waited for my answer, his gaze bore into me, a silent challenge and promise intertwined, ready to fulfill my every need.

I swallowed hard, feeling my cheeks heat up. Words failed me as the intensity of my emotions overwhelmed me. Instead, I waved him off, my hand trembling slightly. Luca’s expression softened for a moment, his lips curving into a knowing smirk as he understood my unspoken desire.

Vanessa returned, this time with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. “Can I offer you some caviar or perhaps some smoked salmon?” she asked, her eyes still locked onto Luca.

Luca’s expression hardened slightly. “We’re fine, thank you,” he said curtly, dismissing her with a nod.

The flight attendant’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, turning her attention to me. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call,” she said sweetly, before retreating to the galley.

As she walked away, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Luca’s world was filled with beautiful, confident women, and while I knew he chose me, the insecurities still lingered.

I glanced at Luca, his strong profile outlined against the window, and felt a flutter in my stomach.

Luca caught me looking and a mischievous smirk played on his lips. “See something you like, Mrs. DeLuca?” he teased, his voice low and playful.

I felt her cheeks flush. “Maybe,” I replied coyly, surprising myself with my boldness.

Luca leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Just wait until we’re alone on that island. I have plans for you, Elena.”

A shiver ran down my spine at his words. “Oh? And what kind of plans would those be?”

Luca’s eyes darkened with desire. “The kind that will make you forget your own name,” he murmured, his hand resting on her thigh.

Their playful banter was interrupted by Vanessa, the flight attendant, approaching again. Elena noticed her lingering glances at Luca but felt less threatened this time, bolstered by Luca’s attention.

“Can I get you anything else?” Vanessa asked, her voice honeyed.

“No, thank you,” Luca replied, his eyes never leaving my face. “We’d like some privacy for the remainder of the flight.”

Once we were alone, Luca turned to Elena, his gaze intense. “You know, that dress you’re wearing is driving me crazy,” he said, his voice husky. “I can’t wait to peel it off you later.”

Elena felt a rush of heat through my body. “Luca,” I admonished softly, glancing around despite knowing we were alone.

He chuckled, the sound sending tingles down spine. “What? I’m just admiring my beautiful wife. Is that a crime?”

As we stepped off the private jet, the Maldives heat hit me like a wall. I blinked, adjusting to the bright sunlight, when I noticed a tall man standing next to a sleek black SUV.

“Mr. and Mrs. DeLuca, welcome. I’m Zayn, your-” the man began, but Luca cut him off with a curt nod.

I felt Luca’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me firmly towards the car. His touch sent shivers down my spine, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. Without a word, he ushered me into the backseat, sliding in beside me.

I caught a glimpse of a young woman in the driver’s seat, her eyes meeting mine briefly in the rearview mirror before quickly looking away. It was clear that Luca’s presence commanded a certain... respect? Fear? I wasn’t quite sure.

They stopped in restaurant on the way. Luca and I had lunch and got back in the car. As we drove, the man - Zayn - attempted to brief us on the island and staff. I tried to listen, but Luca’s proximity was overwhelming. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear.

“You look ravishing in that dress,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

I felt my cheeks flush, acutely aware of our company. “Luca,” I whispered, embarrassed but thrilled by his boldness.

He smirked, clearly unconcerned about our audience. His hand found its way to my thigh, squeezing gently. My breath hitched, and I saw Zayn pointedly look away.

At the marina, we boarded a speedboat. The beauty of the turquoise waters was breathtaking, but Luca’s intense gaze never left me. I felt exposed, vulnerable, yet strangely powerful under his scrutiny.

As we approached our private island, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of our villa. It was more luxurious than anything I’d ever seen. On the dock, I noticed two people waiting - probably more staff.

Luca, however, brushed past them without a glance. “The villa,” he stated simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As we walked, his hand never left my back. He leaned in again, his lips brushing my ear. “Finally,” he growled softly.

I looked up at him, my heart racing. The intensity in his eyes made me weak at the knees. I managed a small nod, unable to form words.

The moment we were inside the villa, Luca pulled me against him. “Now,” he said, his voice rough with desire, “where were we?”

As Luca’s lips met mine, the world seemed to fade away. His kiss was intense, passionate, a perfect blend of tenderness and raw desire. One of his hands tangled in my hair, while the other pressed firmly against the small of my back, drawing me impossibly closer.

I could feel the heat radiating from his body, his heart pounding in time with mine. The scent of his cologne, mixed with something uniquely Luca, enveloped me. My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath his shirt.

The kiss deepened, and I felt as if I was drowning in sensation. Luca’s lips moved against mine with a practiced skill that left me breathless. There was a hunger in his touch, a possessiveness that both thrilled and intimidated me.

When we finally parted for air, I felt dizzy, my lips tingling. Luca’s eyes were dark with desire, promising so much more. The intensity of his gaze made me shiver with anticipation.

“Elena,” he murmured, his voice husky. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I could only imagine what the rest of our honeymoon would bring, and the thought both excited and nervous me. This was a new chapter in our lives, and I was eager to see where it would lead.

Little did she know, how she will be left shattered by him...

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