"Last training didn't go as good as we expected, so we're trying it again. With weapons. Bella you're up," Dad said. I took mom's bow and arrow in hand.

"Woah, haven't seen that thing in a while," Jasper said, admiring it.

"We'll do that later. Right now we're working on trust with you and Luca," Dad stated. Trust with-

"But I do trust him," I told him and he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Really? But does Luca trust you?" We both looked at Luca for an answer.

"Yeah, of course I trust her," that made me feel overly happy for some reason. You know what, let's save me the trouble for later. I'm beginning to like Luca as more than just a friend.

"Prove it. Stand against the wall," he instructed and Luca obeyed.

"Now Bella, throw knives and don't flinch Luca," Luca looked at Dad as if he grew another head.

"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea, especially after what happened last time," I reminded him. What he doesn't know is that I still see her around sometimes. Less than usual but still.

"I believe in you," I was still a little doubtful about it. I was scared of losing control and hurting Luca worse than last time.

"Don't worry Luca, you're in good hands," Uncle Nik assured him.

"Are you sure about that?" I heard Jasper whisper to him.

"I have no idea. Let's hope she's as good as Red," he muttered back. I rolled my shoulders and brought my hand behind my ear. I watched as Luca gulped harshly. I smiled at him and he relaxed a little.

I threw the knife over his head, which had him sighed in relief. "A little closer." I looked at Dad as if he was crazy. I threw again near his ear. Luca started breathing heavily. "You can do better than that."

"Dad, are you out of your mind," he only smirked and I mumbled an okay under my breath and put my focus back to Luca. He closed his eyes and I threw between his legs near his junk. Thankfully, his legs were spread apart.

"Great job, Bella," Dad praised. Is he serious?

I walked up to him with my arms folded across my chest. "What was that about?"

"You two needed to trust each other,"

"We told you we did,"

"No, you trust each other with your hearts. I needed you to trust each other with your lives. Or you wouldn't have hesitated," he said calmly but I was angry.

"I hesitated because I didn't trust myself! What if I had seen that woman again and this time I ended killing Luca instead," my voice rising in anger.

"You wouldn't, not after last time. That's how much I trust you. You need to give yourself more credit, Bella," he left not giving me a chance to say anything else. Not like I had anything else to say.

"Are you okay?" Luca came behind me, turning me around to face.

"I should be asking you that. You looked like you were about to faint," I joked and he laughed. He had a nice laugh. I never got tired of hearing it.

"Well what can I say, I was on the receiving end of the knife so," he brushed the hair from my face, his knuckles lightly touching my face.

"I could've hurt you," I muttered with a frown.

"I knew you wouldn't. Because I trust you, tesoro," he winked. That nickname was messing with my head and feelings.

"Hey Mirabella, how good are you with that bow and arrow," I heard Jasper call behind me.

"Wanna put that to the test," I looked behind me to him and he smirked and shrugged.

"I'll set up the targets," Luca told me and ran off to set them up.

"Jasper, why do you doubt my capabilities? My mother trained me after all," I was curious for his answer. He's been doubtful of what I could since I walked into the house, even though mom trained for 10 years.

"I don't doubt you. I'm pushing you to not doubt yourself. Everyone in this room trust you, you're the only one holding yourself back," he explained. He was right. I needed to trust myself more. If they could trust me so much even after hardly knowing me, then why couldn't I do the same.

"You're ready Mira," Luca called out to me. I glanced at him to see him giving me a thumbs up. I looked over at Dad and he smiled.

"Let's set a timer. 6 head shots in 5 seconds," I wagered and they looked at me surprised.

"Deal," Uncle Nik said and I smirked. I slung the bag of arrows on my back, putting one in the bow. "Ready. Go."

In no time, I was shooting arrows in the three targets  with squinted eyes to get a clear shot. It was on the other side of the room, so it was kind of a challenge. Sike. In the finishing off. I took a step forward and turned around, shooting one at Jasper.

He screamed. "Luciano she shot me!"

We all laughed at his dramatic behaviour. "No, she didn't. Look behind you."

The arrow was shot over his head in the wall. "You still didn't make the 6 head shots in 5 seconds."

"Actually she did. 2 head shots per target." Luca told them and I grinned victoriously at them. I am awesome.

*******

I was strapping my ballet shoes on, when my phone started ringing. I already knew who it was because she's been calling for a while. I didn't know what to say so I ignored the call at every chance. But I guess my time has ran out.

"Aria," I breathed out her name.

"Mädchen, wo bist du? Ich weiß, dass Sie meine Anrufe und Texte erhalten. Ich dachte du wärst tot! Was ist los?" she rambled. I could hear how freaked out and worried she is. (Girl, where are you? I know you got my calls and texts. I thought you were dead! What's going on?)

"Es tut mir leid, aber ich brauche etwas Zeit für mich und wusste nicht, was ich dir sagen soll," I told her. (I'm sorry but I needed sometime for myself and I didn't know what to say to you)

"Verständlich. Es tut mir leid wegen deiner Mutter, Mira. Wo bist du übrigens?" she questioned. (Understandable. I'm sorry about your mom. Where are you by the way?)

"Vielen Dank. Ich bin mit meinem Vater in Italien," I said and she gasped. (Thanks. I'm in Italy with my dad)

"Hast du ihn gefunden. Das ist großartig, Mira. Die Mädchen vermissen dich übrigens. Planen Sie zurückzukommen?" she asked and I sighed. (You found him. That's great, Mira. The girls miss you by the way. Are you planning on coming back).

"Vielleicht. Ich weiß es noch nicht. aber ich werde es dir sagen, wenn ich mich entscheide," I was a little hesitant with my answer because I had no idea what my future was. (Maybe. I don't know yet. But I'll tell you when I make my mind up.)

"Achten Sie dabei darauf, dass Sie mir ein paar Italiener schnappen. Ich habe gehört, sie sind wunderschön mit ihrem Akzent," I laughed. My mind instantly went to Luca. (While you do that, make sure to snatch up some Italian guys. I heard they are gorgeous with their accents).

"Okay, ich werde. Tschüss," I replied. She bidded goodbye and we hung up.

I turned on my Bluetooth for it to connect to my speaker. Standing to my feet, the minute the song started I glided across the room. Me and the music. Pushing my worries and troubles away. Feeling free like there was nothing to worry about. That's what dancing does, gives you a sense of freedom.

My eyes were closed and my guard was down, so I didn't sense someone in the room. That was until, my arm was grabbed gently and pulled towards their chest. I opened my eyes to look into the brown ones of Luca. We immediately started dancing around the room. It was ballet anymore but waltz. I knew he could dance but I didn't know he was this good. It was like we were back at the Peace Treaty Ball.

"Your dad is kind of my hero," he suddenly spoke while we continued dancing.

"My dad was abusive to both me and my mom. She couldn't take it anymore, so she left. I thought I could hate her for it but I couldn't. I did at one point but it never made sense. One night, my father was beating me almost to death. If he was drunk I would forgive him but he wasn't.

Your dad came out of no where and saved me from him. He didn't kill him because he thought my dad deserved to live with the guilt forever. This was two years, when he took me under his wing. Helped me finish high school. I didn't want to go to college so he recruited me into this. I'm in his debt for the rest of my life," he told me. My heart sank at how messed up his life was.

"I've never been more happy. That is until I met you," I don't know when we stopped dancing but we did. We were not looking into each other's eyes with him brushing away the stray hair that fell from my loose bun.

"I like you Mirabella. I don't know if I read things different but I'm hoping you like me too," he confessed. My breath hitched and I stilled. Then I smiled.

"I like you too Luca," his face broke out in a full blown smile. He pulled me in for a kiss by my neck. His tongue grazed my lips for permission which I granted. Our lips moving in sync. Nothing could ever be so perfect.

The guy that has been by my side since the moment I came here, just confessed he liked me. And we were kissing.

Luca Romano was kissing me and I liked it.

Finally! Like damn. Took too long. But what's going happen now?

9/12/20

Au revoir.....