The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Leonardo’s fingers gently intertwined with Sofia’s as they embarked on the somber journey. The car came to a halt, and Leonardo remained steadfast by her side, his grip on her hand unwavering. The solemn atmosphere of Ricci’s graveyard enveloped them, and as they stepped out of the vehicle, their bodyguards formed a protective ring around them, a visible shield against the world.

As they stood before the grave, Sofia’s eyes were drawn to the engraved name of her grandmother, Lady Valentina Ricci, accompanied by the dates that marked her existence in this world. A wave of melancholy washed over Sofia as she took in the reality of her grandmother’s passing.

Mark stepped forward, handing Sofia some flowers. Sofia knelt by her grandmother’s tomb, her fingertips tracing the engraved letters, as if trying to bridge the divide between the realms of the living and the departed. Tenderly, she placed the flowers on the grave, a token of her affection and remorse. The weight of her absence burdened her as she whispered her apologies, hoping her grandmother could somehow hear her ethereal words.

“I am sorry, Grandma,” Sofia’s voice barely reached the air, heavy with regret. “I could not come to meet you last time. Please forgive me, and I love you. I miss you so much. Why did you also leave me?”

A solitary teardrop escaped her eye, a testament to the depth of her sorrow. With closed eyes, Sofia offered a silent prayer, her thoughts weaving through the spaces of remembrance.

“I’ll come and meet you again very soon, grandma,” Sofia whispered, her voice carrying a flicker of determination.

Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, opened once more, revealing a resilience within. A delicate swipe of her hand brushed away the evidence of her grief, and she rose from her kneeling position, turning to face a concerned Leonardo.

Standing silently behind Sofia, Leonardo’s gaze held a mixture of emotions, his forehead creased with a worry only he comprehended. His eyes, usually a window to his soul, now shielded a layer of mystery. Lips pressed into a firm line, they refused to reveal the thoughts that stirred within him. Slowly, Leonardo took a step forward, his hand reaching out to tenderly caress Sofia’s cheeks, wiping away the remnants of her tears.

Cupping Sofia’s face in his palms, Leonardo studied her countenance intently, as if trying to decipher the complexities that danced across her features. Concern mingled with an unspoken affection, a silent promise to be there for her, even in the darkest of moments. Sofia found solace in the warmth of his touch, a beacon of support in a world marred by loss.

“Are you okay, baby girl?” Leonardo’s voice quivered with a mix of worry and tenderness, as if his very heart depended on her response. Sofia, still reeling from the events that had transpired, slowly nodded, appreciating his genuine concern.

She felt a warm surge of affection for him as he asked, “Do you want to stay for some more time, or can we go and catch the flight?” His desire to make her comfortable tugged at Sofia’s heartstrings.

“Let’s go,” Sofia replied, her voice soft but determined. She appreciated his protective grip on her hand, finding solace in his presence as they navigated the crowd of bodyguards surrounding them. With their support, they made their way towards the waiting car, a shield against the outside world.

The journey to the airport was filled with a heavy silence, the weight of recent events hanging in the air. Leonardo’s hand never left Sofia’s, offering her a comforting reassurance. His thumb gently caressed her knuckles.

Finally arriving at the airport, they passed through the security check, the tension easing slightly. Leonardo led the way, his purposeful strides guiding them towards the private jet waiting on the runway. Sofia’s eyes flickered over the aircraft, noticing a change in the staff. She observed how they greeted Leonardo and herself, recognizing the shift in familiarity.

With Leonardo as her guide, Sofia stepped onto the jet, her senses immediately greeted by the plush interior and the scent of luxury. The new staff welcomed them warmly, their smiles tinged with professionalism. Leonardo, ever the gentleman, guided Sofia towards their seats, and she chose the one by the window.

“So, Angel, last time we flew to Rome, was that your first flight?” Leonardo inquired, his voice laced with curiosity. Sofia nodded shyly, her eyes glimmering with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

She bit her lip nervously, her gaze fixed on Leonardo as he continued, his voice gentle and soothing. “And this is your second. I hope this time you will take it well.”

Sofia’s nervousness was palpable as she looked at him, her eyes searching for reassurance.

She couldn’t help but voice her fears, her words trembling slightly. “You aren’t scared of flying in an aircraft? What if it fails in the middle of the sky? What will you do?”

Leonardo chuckled deeply, his laughter carrying a hint of amusement.

“No, baby girl, I have been flying in a jet since I was a baby. And all our jets are equipped with the latest technology and the highest security features,” he reassured her, his shoulders nonchalantly shrugging.

He continued, his voice carrying a trace of pride. “For my business, I practically live in a private jet. You will come to know my lifestyle within a month of living with me.”

The realization hit Sofia like a bolt of lightning. If Leonardo’s business required him to frequently fly in jets, it meant he wouldn’t be able to spend much time with her in Genoa. A tinge of disappointment washed over her, visible in the flicker of her expression.

“Don’t think that way. You will come with me whenever I travel. I am not going to spend a single day without you,” his tone turned stern, a hint of warning lacing his words

Sofia’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening in astonishment. How could he read her mind? Did she unintentionally speak her thoughts aloud? Embarrassment flooded through her, a delicate blush creeping up her cheeks.

Sofia’s face flushed crimson.

Leaning closer, Leonardo’s warm breath caressed Sofia’s ear as he whispered, his voice a seductive melody that resonated deep within her. “Angel, I have a mile-high club fantasy about you. Would you like to know what I envision when we soar through the sky, hundreds of kilometers above the ground?”

Sofia squirmed in her seat, a delicious shiver tingling down her spine. His words held an irresistible allure, leaving her yearning for more. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him, her curiosity piqued, desperate to uncover the depths of his desires.

In the midst of their enchantment, their reverie was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the air hostess. Reality came crashing back, grounding them in the present. “Sir, ma’am, please fasten your seat belts. We are about to take off,” she announced, her voice jolting them back to the confines of the aircraft.

Leonardo swiftly assisted Sofia in fastening her seat belt, his touch gentle yet possessive. As the plane commenced its journey down the runway, Sofia’s heart mirrored the increasing tempo of the engines. Nervously, she closed her eyes, clutching the seat with a fervent grip. Her lips silently formed a prayer, seeking solace and courage within her racing thoughts.

Sensing her apprehension, Leonardo’s hand found hers, providing an anchor amidst the turbulent currents of her emotions. With tenderness and reassurance, he peeled her fingers off the seat, intertwining his fingers with hers.

“Open your eyes, angel, and look at me,” Leonardo’s voice cooed in a seductive tone that sent shivers down Sofia’s spine. Slowly, she obeyed, opening her eyes and turning her face towards him. The intensity in his gaze overwhelmed her.

“Are you scared, babe?” Leonardo asked, his fingers gently stroking her cheek. Sofia’s embarrassment washed over her, causing her to bow her head in response. She scolded herself internally, feeling foolish for still harboring fear like a young child.

Leonardo cupped her face lovingly, tilting it upwards. Lowering his face, he initiated a passionate and deep kiss that consumed Sofia’s senses. In that moment, she forgot about everything else, her mind and body fully captivated by him.

Thoughts ceased to exist as Sofia’s body instinctively responded to the mind-blowing kiss, her core growing warm and wet with desire. Time became irrelevant as they sat there, lost in the intoxicating embrace of their lips. Eventually, Leonardo broke the kiss, revealing a smile as he gazed at Sofia’s dazed expression.

“We are up in the sky, Sofia,” he stated with amusement lacing his voice, bringing her back to reality. Sofia looked around, realizing that the plane had settled into its cruising speed. Peeking through the window, she beheld a stunning vista of clouds and blue sky stretching endlessly. It dawned on her that this was Leonardo’s clever ploy to distract her during takeoff.

Suddenly, her interrupted thoughts returned to the mention of the mile-high club before being interrupted by the air hostess. Sofia’s curiosity piqued, prompting her to wonder what this mysterious “club” meant and urging her to seek an answer from Leonardo.

“What mile-high club were you talking about before the plane took off?” she asked him innocently.