Greedy / Luca Changretta

3. Exquiste

Cora couldnt remember the last time she had that much fun, Luca was a good dancer, he showed her off and it was nice to be the center of attention by one handsome man. 

Cora had been on and off again with Alfie Solomons for moons but she always told him she didnt want anything serious, she had been married to Tommy and it turned out badly, she didnt want to fall back into becoming someone's maid and caretaker while the man did what he wanted, fucked who he wanted. 

Cora was a fighter, a business woman. She wasnt going to stand aside while the men got all the credit. But every once in a while she didnt mind being shown off, spun around, doted on like a precious gem. 

Cora had a strange relationship with the Shelbys, she hated Tommy, she wanted to hate Tommy. But she loved his family. She helped build the Shelby Co. She worked the books, got things in order, made it look legit. SHe took care of Tommy's youngest brother Finn for years. She always wanted kids and she thought of Finn like her baby for a long time, he doted on her and when Tommy fucked up, as Cora had begun to see all men would, she couldnt stay. She couldnt be the wife that was also the side piece, used and forgotten. 

His brothers hated him for what he did to Cora, because she had become such a big part of all their lives and now she was just gone. Gone with the wind. Gone to camden town, gone far away from Tommy, because looking at him hurt. But she still loved his family, still went to John's funeral, still grieved him because John was always sweet to her. Arthur too. She wanted Finn to know she was there for him but it was hard when Tommy still had such a tight leash on his family. 

So Luca being the perfect gentleman, that was new for her. Luca saying and doing all the right things, but Tommy started out that way too so Cora had her guard up. But she always did with relationships now a days. 

+

"Luca?" Cora questioned stepping into the club. His smile widened.

"Cora Rose Shelby I want to make a deal. Tommy knows my terms but he said no. Which only makes me want it more.'' Luca told her pulling her closer as he brought onto the dance floor.

''Want what?''

''Tommy didnt tell you?'' Luca tsked

''Tommy didnt tell me what?'' Cora countered

''An end to the feud.''

''Thats great under what conditions?'' Cora countered not thinking of why tommy would say no to peace after johns death.

''A union of our families.''

''Great.'' Cora agreed. ''I dont think polly is going to go for that but I'm sure if you want a relationship of her trying to kill you constantly you two will get on great,'' cora told him and his grip on her tightened.

''Not polly.'' Luca told her

''Ada again she is going to fight it but-''

''Not ada.'' Luca told her once again

''I didnt think you a man that liked the company of men but I suppose that was why tom said-''

''No. I assure you the female body is quite exquisite to me. One in particular ive been wanting to get my hands on for a while now.'' Cora stared at him blankly. ''You. Ms cora.''

''Me?'' She couldn't comprehend what he was saying. ''You and me. A union of families-''

''I'm not-''

''But you are tommy's favorite pet it seems.'' luca corrected

'I'm not tommys anything anymore.'' she corrected

''No?''

''No.'' She confirmed.

''He was very possessive over you when i suggested it.'' Luca told her

''Why would you want me?'' Cora questioned incredulously. She couldnt believe she was even considering this but to protect finn she had to consider it. Besides what did luca do besides try to protect his family after John killed his brother... Tommy killed his father... an eye for an eye. A life for a life, that should have been the end of it but it never was with gangsters. 

''You see cora im not an unreasonable man. A life for a life. Thomas killed my father. My men killed his brother.''

''I recall,'' cora said stiffly luca kept a hand on her waist trailing down lower and lower. Cora felt her heart race and not out of passion or lust but anger. He leaned closer leaned his head against hers as he whispered in her ear.

''I was going to take all the shelbys down. Every last one but you see...'' he licked at his lips ''But I found a better prize more worthy of my...'' his lips grazed against her cheek. ''You smell divine,'' he remarked. ''Vanilla but sweeter. Sugar and vanilla.'' Luca remarked

''Good nose,'' cora agreed confused.

''You marry me and the feud is over. No more shelby blood spilled.'' Luca told her

''I have to talk to-''

''Thomas? I thought you were not his pet.'' Luca countered

''I have to talk to the shelbys. All of them. Proper terms would have to be drawn up and-''

''I will have my lawyer draw something up.'' Luca told her.

''I didnt accept I'm just saying.'' Cora corrected.

''I know but better to be prepared when you do.'' Luca told her. ''Lovely dancing with you Cora rose.''

''You're not a bad dancer.'' Cora remarked as he let her go she moved to the bar needed a drink after that conversation. She sat down at the bar. "Bourbon, fill it up." Cora instructed. ''Thank you." Cora said taking a large sip.

"You feel like a fighter but with elegance.'' Luca told her his hand trailing along her arm. Defined muscles he stepped between her legs his knee running against the inside of her leg. ''I am assuming you could pin me to the ground in a second flat if...'' provoked he mused

''You're right. I could.'' Cora agreed turning away from him and to the bar again.

+

"OW!" Tommy shouted as Cora slapped him over the head.

"Is it beat up Tommy hour?" Arthur mused.

"It always is." Cora agreed. "Did you fuckers know?"

"Know what?"

"About Luca."

"Fuck you told her!" Polly shouted.

"No." Tommy corrected.

"Then how does she know?" Polly countered.

"Luca had a talk with me." Cora informed them. "I'm finally in a good place with Alfie and the business and-"

"Cora-"

"Now I have to have a real conversation with my Alife who I think I might love and tell him that I might be considering a stupid thing because I love you guys too much to just sit back and wait for bloodshed!" Cora spat as she marched out of the garrison.

"CORA!"