Iris' Pov

I'm so bored. Horribly bored. Terribly most definitely bored.

Sitting in Luca's bland, lack of entertaining office, I sigh in exhaustion. You'd think he'd have good books to read. Maybe a board game but no, Luca Donario office only has one thing, work and more work.

I lay my head on his desk, just waiting for the doors to open and for my husband to walk through. Calling out to him mentally, I'm disappointed when he doesn't stroll in.

Why am I not psychic....

My phone rings out in the dead silent office and I jump four feet high in fright, grabbing the rectangular device I answer the call from Grace, pressing the phone to my ear.

"W-we can't find him....he's gone!" Grace all but shrieks into the speaker of my phone.

"What? Who? Grace calm down...I don't understand." I straighten up immediately, my mind scrambling.

"James, Iris. He never came back to the orphanage last night...he's missing!" She sobs. She was hysteric.

I tried to stay calm for her despite how I wanted to scream as well. "Have you tried calling his cell?" I question, brows creasing.

"It's going straight to voicemail." She hiccups.

The door pushes open and in waltz Luca, a charming smile on his face though it quickly disappears when he sees the look on mine.

"Have you informed the cops yet?" I continue, grilling her with my questions.

"Yes, but they don't consider him missing until it's been 48 hours." Grace sniffles.

"Thanks, Grace....we'll find him okay just keep me posted and I'll do the same." I sigh, glancing over at Luca who gives me a questioning look of confusion.

Gosh this week is starting to become the worst week of my life.

"What happened?" He asks worried, strolling over to me, his hands come up to cradle my face.

"James, he's missing," I tell him, my eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

What if this is my fault?

What if he's hurt? What if he was lost or something or worse?

No I couldn't think like that.

Luca's warm arms engulf me, pulling him closer I snuggle into his chest, breathing in deep his addicting smile that always seems to calm me. "He's gonna be fine, Iris. Kids do this stuff, right?"

"I guess." I swallow hard, my eyes fluttering close as I enjoy his embrace. Trying my best to only think of happy thoughts.

He was alright. He has to be.

He kisses the top of my head and I sigh. "How about we go for lunch, amore? It'll get your mind off everything even if it's just for a little while." Luca proposes, pulling back from the hug to look down at me.

Opening my eyes, I look up at him and muster up my best smile which he returns with one of his bright charming ones, it makes me feel better not a lot better but somewhat. Luca entwines our fingers and he leads me out of his office not forgetting to grab our jackets as it's cold as fuck outside.

We take his personal elevator, getting in and riding it down to the underground floor.

The doors open and we get out, Luca's Bugatti Veyron is the only car parked on the underground floor, letting go of my hand Luca opens the door for me like a gentleman.

"Such a gentleman," I comment, sliding into the car's red leather seat.

Luca winks at me and closes the door, going around to the other side, I can't help but feel my smile falter before brightening when he gets in.

The car starts up with a sexy purr, the head lights flickering on as Luca drives us out of his dark underground parking lot and unto the lightly snowing New York street.

"Where would you like to go?" Luca inquires, one hand on the wheel while the other lightly strokes my thigh as he assumes a relaxed position around the wheel.

I didn't care, really. All I wanted was to find James. Poor thing what had he had to eat?

Pushing my thoughts way, I turn to him, quirking a brow. "I don't know, where does the big, bad business beast Luca Donario usually have lunch?"

"Da qualche parte bene, you're in for a treat." He grins, briefly glancing over at me with his hazel orbs before returning his eyes to the road.

Luca drives us to a beautiful restaurant by the name of 'Rosso', it's not something I'd peg Luca Donario going to but at the same time I could see it.

The restaurant was small and cute, it was old looking yet still modern. It was painted a tan color with crimson sunblockers, it reminded me of the pictures I'd seen of Luca in Italy. It was a classy, fancy joint yet at the same time it was still a laid back and casual place.

Through the windows I could see people smiling and sharing wine, generally having a good time.

"Is this another one of your fine establishments?" I ask, glancing at Luca who's already out of the car and opening the door for me.

He shakes his head. "It's actually somewhat of a...family business," Hesitantly he says, averting his eyes to the restaurant.

Oh.

"It's nice." I smile softly as I get out.

"It is." He grins, closing the car door. "Come on."

I follow behind Luca as we walk into the busy restaurant, Luca chooses a secluded table in the far right, he pulls my seat out for me and I thank him with a smile as I sit down, pushing the blood red chair back in he grins.

My eyes wandering around the beautiful, well-lit restaurant. It had high ceilings and like outside, the inside was painted in a tan sand-like color. The floors are a shiny brown wood color and the tables covered with a white tablecloth which was contrasted by the blood-red chairs.

My nose picks up the delicious scents and I'm practically ready to dive in as my stomach growls.

Was James hungry too where ever he was? Hopefully not.

Distraction. "So, what's the story behind here? Why does the Luca Donario enjoy dining here besides the fact that it's a family business?" I question curiously, a hand under my chin as I wait for his answer.

His brows furrow slightly. "I suppose it's because it reminds me of Italia not to mention the food is delicious." He states, opening up his suit's jacket.

"Well then, what do you recommend I get?" I pick the menu up, surveying it though having no idea what anything is as everything is written in Italian.

Wonderful.

"For an appetizer, I'd go with the brushetta." He answers with a broad smile whilst undoing his cuffs and pushing the white sleeves up his bulging arms.

"What's that?" I cock my head to the side and watch him with interested eyes, though my eyes do sometimes shift down to his muscular arms.

"Grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper." He shrugs, his enthralling hazel eyes lighting up.

"Oh," I reply like an idiot, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear wanting to hear him speak even more in that delectable language. "And what about the main course?"

"You could have anything you'd like, Ravioli, fettuccine alfredo, lasagne however usually I get the linguine ai frutti di mare paired with a bottle of Masseto Toscana IGT red wine."

I think I just had a food orgasm. And it isn't just because Luca is talking about food, oh hell no, it's the way his tongue caresses each word.

"Il mio amore, are you even listening to anything I'm saying?" Luca smirks making his sexy and kissable lips become even more desirable.

"Kind of," I mumble partially dazed, shaking my head and glancing back up to his darkening eyes, I flush.

"Sei così dannatamente adorabile," Luca grins, his eyes crinkling at the sides.

"What?" I blush at the adoring look he gives me.

"Nothing." Luca winks, lifting his hand he waves over a waiter.

The waiter rushes over, a huge grin on his face, he seems to know Luca personally.

He's a chubby man, middle-aged guessing from the silver hairs that dot his hair. He has a jolly face and a warming smile with pretty twinkling gren eyes. Dressed in a red button down, gold vest and black dress pants, he's easily mistaken for a waiter on first look but with a fixated look you'd see that he holds a higher position.

"Luca, dove sei stato, figlio di puttana?" He speaks in rapid italian.

"Sono stato in giro. Come sta la famiglia??" Luca glances at him, a genuine smile on his face.

"Sono fantastici, Enzo sta giocando a football varsity e Cristina sta andando nella sua fase adolescenziale quindi devo essere pronto a combattere questi ragazzi adolescenti." Luca nods at what the man says. "Mi scuso, dove sono i miei modi. Luca, chi è questa bella donna?" They finally turn there attention to me.

"This is my wife, Sergio meet Iris, Iris meet Sergio, my fifth or so cousin on my mama's side." Luca introduces us, smiling I outstretch my hand to which Sergio takes pressing a kiss against my knuckles.

"Such a Casanova." I giggle.

"So this is the fabled wife, it's a pleasure to meet you gorgeous." Sergio smiles, his accent thick. "Anyhow, what can I get you guys?"

"My usual," Luca says before glancing over at me.

"I guess I'll have....the baked ziti." I shrug, not really knowing what to go with so why not go with something I knew and was fairly basic.

Sergio nods and hobbles away, leaving only Luca and me.

"I swear I really need to learn Italian because it's not very fun not knowing what people are saying." I pout, rolling my eyes.

Luca chuckles deeply, reaching out he grabs my hand and lightly grazes his thumb over the back of my hand.

"I solemnly promise amore, to teach you Italian. Hell, I swear to take you with me to Italia next time." He speaks, his voice deeper after having just spoken his mother's tongue. "You'll get to meet my nonna, she'll love you."

His nonna. Was he serious? Luca inviting me to meet his family?

"I'm holding you to that promise you know." I playfully sass to which Luca winks with an 'of course'.

Our food comes out not too long after and we chat a little more with Sergio before he has to

leave us to talk with other customers.

It's definitely the best lunch I've had in a while and it certainly takes my mind off the missing James even if it's for a little bit.

✨

"Hey," Luca says his smile dropping as he glances over at me.

"Hmmm." I hum, looking away from the window and over at him.

"If you want we can go look for the boy." Luca offers, watching the road and me.

"No, no, you have to get back to work." I shake my head stubbornly.

"I own the company, I can do whatever I damn well please and if it's looking for the boy then I'm sure as hell looking for that kid." Luca narrows his eyes, daring me to argue with him.

If it had been any other day and any other matter I would have but with this...

"....Thank you." I smile grabbing his free hand and braiding it with mine.

"I'd do anything for you, Iris." His eyes shoot down quickly to our hands and he lifts it up, kissing the back of my hand softly. My heart warming as he does.

I am truly grateful for this man.

We park in front of the orphanage and get out, closing the car doors behind us, we go up the stairs.

I open the door to see the kids playing around with Naomi, practically dog piling the poor girl. The room is filled with their laughter and fun, not at all what I was expecting.

"Iris!" My little munchkins squeal upon noticing me, it makes me smile brightly.

"Hey guys, look who I brought with me." I lift little Mel off Naomi and into my arms.

"Luca!" they scream, assaulting the well-dressed male.

Luca grins and ruffles the twins hair before reaching over and taking Mel from my arms which I let him do, Naomi engulfs me into a big hug and I gladly return it.

"Grace is in her office as usual." She informs me, nodding I leave them in the living room and go off, on a quest for Grace.

Once at her office door, I raise my hand in a fist to knock when I hear her whisper loudly. Despite my better nature, my curiosity makes me press my ear against the door, staring to listen.

"I'm trying my best, babe. It's a lot harder than you think....yes I know and I'll try harder....Bye, I love you L—" She sighs heavily and drags the phone away from her ear seeming to have been cut off.

I didn't know Grace was in a relationship.

I bite my lip and wait a minute before lightly tapping at her door, I can hear her shuffle a bit before she calls for me to come in.

Poking my head in, I give her a smile before stepping fully into her office.

"Iris, I didn't know you were here." She gulps guiltily, lowering her eyes.

"I actually just got here, Luca came with. I, we wanted to help with the James situation." I inform her, finding it weird that she refuses to look me in the eye.

"Oh, of course. I well, I was just getting ready to print some missing flyers and maybe even call the police once again." She fidgets with her glasses, turning around in her chair.

"Great, just tell me how I can help." I clap my hands together.

"How about you and Luca just... look around New York a bit or something?" She proposes, still acting really weird.

"Okay, will do." I nod, sending one last quizzical look at her, I leave her office and shut the door, shaking my head at her odd behaviour.

Love makes you a little weird I guess.

✨

After almost 7 hours of searching New York top and bottom, Luca and I come up empty handed and to say I am devastated is an understatement.

I am deathly worried for James.

I mean where could he possibly be?

Luca opens the front door for me and I walk in with drooped shoulders, taking my coat off I walk up the stairs into Luca and I's bedroom.

I kick my shoes off and throw my coat on the ottoman, plopping down on the bed with a heavy exhausted sigh. Luca walks in seconds later and glances at me before going into the bathroom and turning the water on.

"Come on." Luca beckons after a few moments, having appeared at the doorway of the bathroom.

Must I, I wanted to whine but I didn't.

With another long sigh from my lips, I oblige and walk into the bathroom.

Like a scene from a romance movie, Luca's run us a bath and has lit up a few stubby candles placing them around the bathroom. The warm glow of the candles bath us and the somewhat dark room in a romantic manner.

Upon going closer to the claw foot tub I notice rose petals sitting atop the surface of the water which steam rises from.

A kiss to my temple, Luca helps me get undressed and then he undresses himself, with our clothes on the floor we get in, Luca first and then me straddling him, chest to chest.

It wasn't sexual in the least.

Well kind of.

The water is warm and so is Luca, he massages my shoulders and I moan softly as he works the tension from them, he's gentle and loving and we share small passionate kisses while we wash each other.

"Do you think he's alright?" I ask, brushing my wet finger tips over Luca's chest.

He hesitates before taking my hand and whispering. "For your sake I hope he is."

When we finally get out, I dry myself while does the same for himself, wrapping a dry towel around my torso, he wraps his one around his waist. It hung so low I was worried for him that it would slip.

I blow out all the candles, the room going completely pitch black before exiting the bathroom. Leaving my towel on the floor I crawl beside Luca who is equally as naked, eagerly letting him spoon me beneath the silk sheets.

✨

Peacefully I sleep like the dead next to the warm man until I am startled awake at 2 am by the blaring ring of my phone.

A lot of groaning and grumbling, I sit up and glance drowsily at the still sleeping man, good for him, glaring at him and his ability to ignore what he wishes when he sleeps, I reach over to the nightstand for my phone.

"Hello?" I mumble quietly.

"Are you Mrs. Iris Harding-Donario?" A male voice questions sternly.

"I am." I reply still slightly out of it.

"We're very sorry ma'am for disturbing you but we'd like you to identify a body."

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