"Well I'm not pregnant, so we can all thank God for that one." Annalise said walking down into the expansive basement. "Anna," Luciano whispered taking in his wife. The bruises littered her body and he knew every man in that room wanted to kill Rogelio de la Vega. "I look worse than I feel," she said smiling at the men in the room. She each gave them a hug like this was brunch Sunday and not days after her brutal abduction and rapes.
Once she was done, Annalise turned her eyes to Rogelio. She was expressionless. "I know you all saw what this monster did to me, but I don't want you to worry." She finally smiled. "Rogelio taught me a lot those few days. He taught me how strong I truly am. He taught me I'll do anything for the ones I love and that includes everyone in this room. But most importantly, he taught me that no one who goes against the Monroe or Rossi families will come out victorious."
Annalise looked towards the door. "Let them in, Max." In walked in Agosto, Amelia, Dante and Desi Rossi and as Annalise watched Rogelio's face morph from one of confusion to murderous rage, she couldn't help but smile. "You see, Rogelio, you thought you had us. You thought you'd win, but you can't win a game that we created." Annalise pulled out a sharp knife and smiled at the inscription.
"To my dandelion with love." She read out. "Sora gave this to me when I was 12. I spent the summer in Japan training. I wanted to be a medical doctor, but I knew that wouldn't happen with the family I was born into. It didn't stop me from learning about the human body. You know there are ways to make a man suffer without actually killing him." Annalise swiftly stabbed Rogelio's thigh right above his knee cap.
The scream he let out was palpable. She kept the knife in as she made her way to the men tied beside him. "The men behind me are like my fathers and grandfather. You assisted in hurting someone they loved, so now I'm going to let them hurt you. There's one of you for every one of them. This is going to be fun." Annalise smiled before looking at her family. "Do your worst."
Annalise made her way to Amelia and Desi and hugged them, while Dante and Agosto joined the other men in beating, stabbing and shooting Rogelio's men. "We're so happy you're okay, bambina." Annalise nodded her head before looking over to Luciano who looked dejected and alone. Annalise kissed both of their cheeks before making her way to her husband.
"Luc," she whispered softly walking up to him. He looked into her eyes and sighed. She was awake. She was alive. Despite the bruises, she had proven she was a fighter. "I'm so sorry," Luciano whispered looking downward. "You have nothing to be sorry for, my love. We're okay now. We're safe and we're together."
She lifted his chin to look at her once more, but he removed his face from her touch. It hurt her, he could tell, but he didn't know how to express that looking at her reminded him of the ways he had failed her. How could he explain that her touching him made him realize that he didn't deserve her in the first place? He was the cause of her pain.
Rogelio started laughing causing everyone to cease their actions. "He doesn't want you touching him Annalise. You're used up. I ruined you for him. You're no longer his perfect Queen." Dante made a move towards Rogelio, but Annalise stopped him. She walked over to Rogelio and pulled out the knife causing him to scream in agony. "The only person that is ruined is you." She said before delivering a roundhouse kick to his head. He was knocked out on the floor instantly. Sora smiled happily before clapping causing Annalise to look up and laugh. The sound didn't fit the situation, but they were happy to hear it nonetheless.
Luciano made his way out of the Rossi basement and towards his room. He couldn't be there any longer. He couldn't be around her. He was in his room for a few moments before Dante and Brandon walked in. "What the actual fuck, Rossi?" Brandon bellowed looking down at Luciano who lay on his bed. "Seriously, Luciano, your wife wakes up from a coma and you're not there. I know you hate hospitals so I figured that's why you wanted to leave, not because you didn't want to be with her."
Luciano sat up and placed his head in his tattooed hands. "You two wouldn't understand." Luciano sighed. "We wouldn't understand?!" Brandon barked. "I've been here before, asshole. My sister has been raped before, but the difference is she didn't have a husband the first time who promised to love her until death did them part. How do you think she feels when you treat her like this?"
"You think I want to?! You think I want to think the things I do, but I can't help it!" Brandon looked at him in disgust. "So, you think she's worthless and ruined?" Luciano looked at him confused. "What? No! She's beautiful and perfect and I don't deserve her!" Now Brandon and Dante were confused and it showed. "I failed to protect her. I failed to keep her safe. You guys weren't there. You didn't see the light dim from her eyes as he took her. It's my fault. It's all my fault."
Luciano cried as tears streamed down his face. "You're fucking right it's all your fault." Maxim said from the doorway. "Maxim." Brandon tried to intervene but Maxim walked past him. "I was there the first time. I was there to help her pick up the pieces. She's putting on a brave face for her family and allies, but she is more broken now than she was the first time and that's on you."
Maxim looked at Luciano with a mixture of anger and disgust. "You have the most precious woman as your wife and you're too much of a pussy to take responsibility for your actions and better yourself. If not for yourself then for her. For your future with her. But trust me, if you want to walk away, I won't stop you. I'll be right there to pick up the pieces like always and if given the chance I will love her the way she deserves to be loved." Maxim left him there with his thoughts.
"If you love my sister then you owe it to her to be there for her. You're married, Luciano, not dating. You don't get to tap out." Brandon placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I have faith in you two. You fools are couple goals." He chuckled lightly before patting his shoulder and leaving.
A few moments passed before Dante sat next to Luciano. "Brother, you can't let that asshole win. I know that he has planted a garden of doubt in your head, but don't listen to him. Listen to the voices of those that love you. Those that know you, starting with your wife. You should be with her not that Maxim asshat. Do not let Rogelio take away any more time between you and Annalise. Go to her and claim her once more in every way." Luciano looked at his brother and gave a small smile.
"You're too wise, you know that." Dante shrugged before smiling. "I get it from my brother." He left him alone in his room to think things over. He knew all three of the men that offered their words were right. He needed to fight for his wife, because he knew that Annalise was putting up a strong front for her family and allies. She was probably worse than he was internally and he wasn't being there for her.
He got up and made his way towards the basement, but stopped as he heard chatter in the living room. There they all were talking and smiling like they hadn't killed a dozen men moments ago. He watched as Annalise spoke with the head of the west African mafia, Ibrahim Onuba, and the Spanish mafia Manuel Lopez. They smiled at her like she was the prettiest flower. It was apparent that every man in the room would kill thousands of men for Annalise and it warmed Luciano that his wife was so powerful and so loved.
"It's time for you to visit, mi hija," Manuel spoke. "I know, I will soon. I just need to make sure everything is truly okay on this end and then I'll be on the first flight to Spain." He nodded before giving her a hug and shaking Ibrahim's hand. "You know what I'm going to say." Annalise chuckled at him. "I love him, Ibrahim. This wasn't his fault." The older man scoffed. "I told your father letting you fall for a Rossi was a mistake. Look at all he's cost you. All you've been through." Annalise grabbed his hand and smiled. "I'm okay, Baba." He couldn't help but smile at the young woman.
"You're right, sir. I don't deserve her." Luciano spoke up beside them. Annalise looked at him wide eyed. "She deserves to be protected at all cost and loved unconditionally. I failed her once, but I don't plan on doing that again. I don't plan on letting that monster win. I know the Rossi name isn't seen as highly to you and your associates as the Monroe, but I ask that you give me time to prove to you all that Annalise's best interests are my focus." Ibrahim sized him up for a minute before breaking into a wide smile. "I will hold you to this, Luciano." He said shaking his hand but swiftly pulled him in so only he and Luciano could know what he was about to say. "If you hurt her or something like this happens again, I will come after you with all of my associates behind me. It is nothing for us to go to war over our daughter."
He patted his back a bit roughly before kissing Annalise's cheek and walking off. "Did he tell you they'd go to war for me?" Luciano looked at her and nodded. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "He told Maxim the same thing when he thought we were dating in high school." Luciano reached for her hand happy she didn't recoil. "Can we talk?" She nodded her head and he led her back up to his room. She sat on his bed as he closed the door before sitting next to her. They were silent for a moment before speaking at the same time. "I'm sorry," they said in unison. "What are you sorry about, bambina? You did nothing wrong! I was the fuck up here. I was the one that couldn't keep you safe. I failed to listen to you. I failed to trust your gut. I failed you period."
Annalise cupped his face in her hands. "I love you." He let the words wash over him. "We both know whose fault this is and I plan on making him pay for the rest of his long and miserable life." Luciano smiled at her. "We're not going to kill him?" Annalise shook her head no. "Not right away anyway. I want him to see how badly he's lost. I want him to see you happy. I want him to see the Rossi name bigger and stronger than ever. Then and only then can he die by your hands."
Luciano stared at his wife in admiration. "I really do love you, il mio amore." She smiled widely at him before leaning in to peck his lips. He didn't want to deepen in. He didn't want to do anything that seemed too much. "I think we should go to therapy," Luciano suggested watching her face. She smiled and nodded. "I'd like that. I have one I go to that works for our family. I think you'll like her."
They made a plan to see the therapist in the morning before deciding to head to their home. Alessandra was a mess of nerves the entire time they were away. When she watched Annalise get out of the car, she moved as fast as her short legs would allow. They had a quick reunion before Luciano was leading his wife into their house and up to their room. He let her take a shower by herself and get dressed in private before doing the same.
As they lay in bed barely touching, Annalise couldn't help but hear Rogelio's taunting voice in her head. "I know you love me, Luc, but do you no longer want me." Annalise asked as she lay on her side looking at him. "I want you more than anything, Annalise. I want to take you right here and now and brand you with my love." Annalise sat up on her elbow. "Then what's stopping you?"
"I don't want you to think about him. I don't want you to have to relive what he did to you when I touch you." Annalise move to straddle him and lay down on his chest. "I know the difference, Luc. You would never hurt me in that way. I need your touch to wash away his violation. I need you to make me yours again." He titled her head up to look into her eyes. "You were and always will be mine." He captured her lips with his and Annalise reveled in it.
Luciano felt like every ache and pain was being soothed by this kiss. It was deep and passionate and all them. "I want to take you, my love, but I think we should talk to the therapist first." Annalise pouted causing Luciano to chuckle. "I told you once that good D comes to those who wait." Annalise laughed loudly at the memory and snuggled her husband. They slept like this for the remainder of the night and Luciano wouldn't have it any other way.